By Bob Sherman, Gardener

The Stevens-Coolidge Place

Autumn 2009 

      The redbreast whistles from a garden-croft,

      And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

                              John Keats 

The calendar has not yet pronounced it officially, but the sights, sounds and smells of autumn are in the air.  While the end of another growing season is drawing nearer, there is still much that can and should be done this time of year.  Before I discuss some things that can be done this fall, let me mention a few things that should not.  

If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to stop feeding your roses.  Roses, like all plants, are cued by photo-period or length of daylight.  Fertilizers will promote growth at a time when the shortening days are “telling” the plant to slow growth and begin the gradual transition to dormancy.   

Many perennials are starting to look pretty ragged by September, but this is still too early to cut them way back.  Let the plants photosynthesize for as long as possible before cutting them back in mid or late autumn.  Unless you can’t stand the untidiness, I suggest waiting until spring before cutting back many of your perennials, especially those that produce woody growth each season.  The exception, of course, is diseased plants. These should be cut down (or even removed entirely) and should be placed in the trash or in a place for later burning, not in the compost pile. 

Fall is the perfect time to grow grass.  Whether it’s just patching up some bare spots or starting a new lawn from seed, the warm days and cool, moist nights are ideal for seed germination and growth.  Now is also a great time to fertilize your existing lawn and, as usual, I recommend using an organic fertilizer. 

Now is also the time to divide most of your perennials, at least the ones which bloom in spring or the first half of summer.  If you are planning to divide and/or transplant peonies, fall is definatly the season.  Just remember to plant them close to the surface if you want to see blooms next spring. 

And lastly, don’t spend another early spring day wishing you had crocuses, tulips, and daffodils, etc. in your garden.  Get your bulbs now while the selection is better and plant them in October or November, giving them enough time to establish roots before the first hard freeze.  And while you’re at it, buy some seed garlic (hardneck varieties do best in our climate; don’t use the garlic from the grocery store) and plant it around Columbus Day or a bit later for harvest next summer.