Fall Gardening To-Do List

The fall season is one of the best times to plant, revitalize the lawn and put the garden to bed. With garden centers slashing prices on inventory, it’s hard not to find something to fill an empty spot. Planting that new tree or shrub now allows roots to establish in the warm soil while leaves are relieved of hot summer temperatures (and you can’t beat the deals!). 
Lawn Care
If you haven’t seeded and thatched your lawn yet, do it soon! Most seeding gets done in the months of September and October. Grass seeds love cool nights and warm days, but day length is a key factor in germination, making it harder for seeds to sprout in late October and November. Another key to a great lawn is de-thatching. De-thatching helps those little grass seeds touch the soil that is necessary for germination, and removes dead grass that has built up near soil line. If you’ve missed the window for seeding, I would recommend fertilizing if your irrigation is still on or a good rain is forecasted to water it in. This will help grow strong roots ready to combat drought, heat and other stresses next year.
Putting the Garden to Bed
This means maintenance and time. All gardens require some maintenance. It is one of the most important things when it comes to a garden. Starting in November, many of the “soft plants” – your annuals, biennials and perennials – begin to die back to the ground. Perennials should get cut back to the ground completely, or left at least two to three inches above the soil depending on the genus and species. Tender bulbs such as dahlias, cannas and elephant ears need at least one frost to allow the foliage to die back. They should be dug up and left out to dry, then put in a bag or Tupperware of peat moss, or newspaper stored in a cool dry place such as the garage or basement.
Some perennials and shrubs benefit from an extra layer of mulch, leaf litter or a light cover as protection from winter. Hydrangeas can be especially hit by a late spring frost, but they can be protected simply with a cozy blanket of burlap. Evergreens are most susceptible to winter damage with drying winds and a frozen ground. Water your shrubs and perennials well before the first frosts, especially ones that will be overwintering in containers. For less hardy shrubs such as camellias, they can be covered with breathable fabric such as burlap or row cover. The best way to shelter a less hardy shrub is by making a tent or tee pee over the plant, about six inches above the top of the shrub, and then covering it with fabric. The fabric must be breathable, otherwise it will harvest disease.
I am asked frequently if now is too late to plant; however, this time of year is for nothing but planting and great plant deals! As the season weans, more prices will be discounted, giving you better deals on some interesting plants! Be sure to stop by the nursery at Cape Shore Gardens any day of the week, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Even if you just come in for a walk through our beautiful nursery or simply for advice, we’ll be there.
Cape Shore Gardens is located at 1028 Rt. 9 S., Cape May Court House. For more information, call (609) 465-5161.
Written by Lauren Popper, horticulturist at Cape Shore Gardens and graduate of Temple University’s School of Environmental Design.