As our plants die off or recede into dormancy, it’s time to clean up and take stock. What were your standout successes? Be sure to remember (or write down) what you did that lead to those successes so you can repeat those practices next season.
Fall is a great time to dig up and move shrubs and perennials. I plan to move a barbery bush and a smoke tree that have both outgrown their homes. I also have a number of plants that I have kept alive in pots all summer because I never seemed to find the time to plant them. (Don’t we all?!) These include a couple of Rugosa roses and a clematis. This may not be the ideal time to plant them (especially the clematis) but they will all have a better chance of surviving the winter in the ground. Remember to mix in new organic matter with the existing soil as you plant. Fall also offers cooler temperatures for those hard-work jobs like laying out new beds or working on walkways or patios.
Now is the best time to apply lime to your garden and lawn. Avoid liming acid-loving plants such as berries, rhodos, and rhubarb. As the leaves fall, use them to cover all your garden beds. This is not like the nutrient-rich mulches we use during the growing season, but simply a protective cover. Weed the bare parts of your garden and cover with a 5 cm layer. Maple leaves are a good choice because they are plentiful and they eventually break down and offer high levels of nutrients. But any leaves or even straw will work. This blanket will serve several purposes: it will protect dormant plants such as asparagus from freezing; it will protect soil from erosion; it will prevent weeds from sprouting in the early spring; and it can be composted afterwards to be used yet again. Don’t forget to mulch your trees as well. Leave a space around the trunk to prevent rotting.
If you are planting garlic or have any winter crops that are continuing to grow such as Swiss chard, kale, or Brussels sprouts, they will also benefit from mulch but mix in some compost or composted manure because they will need some nourishment even though the growth rate is slowed down.
As you clean up summer annuals, clip them close to the ground instead of pulling them out. The roots will compost in place and the delicate soil network around them will not be disturbed. Try to leave flower stalks in place as much as possible. Many flowers such as sunflowers, lupines, marigolds, snapdragons, and calendula will re-seed themselves. The stalks and seed heads can add attractive winter interest to your garden. The seeds also feed birds and the stalks themselves provide winter homes for a variety of insects. If this sounds icky, bear in mind that only a small percentage of insects (less than 3%) cause harm to your plants. The rest are beneficial soil builders and pollinators so it pays to be kind to them. You may have noticed a dramatic drop in insect populations in recent years (and the bats and birds that feed on them). Loss of habitat and eradication programs have taken their toll. Climate change adds another complication because the birds and insects can’t depend on the weather patterns they are accustomed to.
So instead of clearing away every scrap of litter, give yourself permission to be lazy. In the winter while you are admiring your flower stalks lightly dusted with snow, and enjoying the birds swooping in to feed on the seeds, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are lending mother nature a helping hand.
Article by Marion Waters, Master Gardener with the Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association
Originally published in the Campbell River Mirror