“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
—Albert Camus
‘Tis late autumn and the leaves will soon be the only “flowers” in sight. For us gardeners and flower farmers, it can be a sad time—but a busy time, nonetheless,
In November, there’s still much to do in the gardens and fields—tasks that require perseverance and dressing warmly as the air turns to a cool crisp.
Be sure to make a checklist that includes even the smallest tasks. When spring arrives, you’ll be glad you paid attention to these tiny details. Creating a system for garden cleanup is crucial, especially at this time of year because there’s so much to be done, including planning and prepping for the coming spring. Working inch by inch, or section by section, makes tasks seem less daunting. This is true even with smaller gardens.
Well, there’s a lot of work to do before the ground freezes, so let’s get started.
Here at the farm, our daily goal is to fill a wheelbarrow with garden debris that includes weeds, spent foliage and cuttings from perennials.
After clearing each bed, we apply a fresh layer of compost and, when available, a thin layer of leaves. Sure, lots of gardeners tend to gather leaves and add them to the compost bin along with other debris from their gardens, and that’s fine. But keep in mind that leaves benefit the garden, too, not just the compost pile. Leaves provide a protective layer throughout the winter months, and they add rich nutrients to the soil for a bountiful growing season next year.
The photo below shows my work to divide iris and plant new rhizomes so that I’ll have another row of beautiful blooms next season. Late autumn is also a good time to divide perennials, remove any diseased or distressed plants and foliage, and stake young shrubs and trees to keep them as upright as possible during winter’s winds.
Sowing fall cover crops is essential to building up the soil. We use red clover in our flower fields to increase nitrogen for the upcoming flower season. Come spring, we’ll work the clover into the soil, creating a looser, more nutrient-rich growing plot.
Seed gathering should also be on your late autumn checklist. Gather seeds on a dry day, preferably before a rain, not after. The seed heads need to be dry to the touch when harvested.
I hope this checklist hasn’t overwhelmed you. Just take things inch by inch, enjoy your progress and start looking forward to next year’s growing season.
Late Autumn Blessings,
Pamela Anthony
Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden