Autumn is just around the bend. Gardeners, flower farmers and anyone who appreciates the seasonal change are anticipating all that comes with fall, including the beauty. We see the signs, we look forward to the transformation, and we start preparing for winter and making plans for next year’s garden.
If you’re like me, you’ve already seen that first leaf fall and noticed a change in the early morning air—even the appearance of fog.
One sure sign that fall is coming can be found among the gladioli. The last ones have been harvested. It’s now time to weed and let the foliage die back and feed the corms for the next growing season. Soon, we’ll be lifting the corms, a task required in gardening zones 7 and below.
The sedums are starting to adopt a rosy-pink hue that is lovely in August bouquets. They will continue to bloom for weeks now, taking us well into autumn and then maturing to a dusty red that’s a perfect hue for any style of fall garden. These late summer bloomers are definitely must-have perennials for the garden, landscape and fields.
As the blooms of towering phlox become spent, they scatter a delightful confetti on the garden floor. This is true of most perennials and annuals—their petals start to drop and seed heads begin to form. Now—and throughout the following weeks and well into the autumn months—you’ll want to gather the seeds for the coming season. In a future blog post, I’ll share instructions on how to gather seeds and prepare them for storage
Yes, autumn is an exciting time for gardeners and flower farmers alike, with the gardens and fields transitioning to the new season. We savor the fall colors and all the changes. But it’s also a time for us to be busy planning, making decisions and ordering bulbs. We set the stage for the transformation happening now, and we look ahead to spring, choosing what will go in the ground before cold weather arrives.
Be sure to catch my next blog post on spring-bulb planting.
Happy Gardening!
Pamela Anthony
Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden