12
See to
Your Garden
-Now
by K. C. Jerome
A utumn is here, Winter is coming; and if you want
rich, green grass and beautiful flowers next
Spring, now's the time to get cracking!
Experienced gardeners prefer doing many of their
chores in the Fall. For one thing, working in a cool
temperature is more pleasant, the sun no longer shrivels
seedlings with its searing rays, and there are fewer jobs
clamoring for attention. In addition, many things planted
I irjFH u ff -p. mTr IPIlPPSfpii
Fall's the time for planting those
hardy Dutch bulbs for Spring bloom.
Loosen soil, then set bulbs in
patterns to suit your garden.
A little Autumn toil
will reward you
with better blooms and
greener grass come Spring.
Narcissus Family
(includes Daffodi
and Jonquils)
Grape
Crocus Hyacinth
Soil Line
Late CfTu,'P
J 1 A ""
mm if w'
ItllYl v
6i&
Here's how deep to plant various flowers and how high they'll grow.
Ventilate hole with conditioner Bulbs can be stored for the Winter in insulating perlite
before planting trees or bushes, granules, protecting them from extreme weather changes.
now get off to a good start before cold weather sets in.
Soil should be loosened, cleaned, and fertilized. Dead
leaves and other debris should be removed so as not to
smother new plantings.
With your lawn cut close, dig up any bare spots and
treat them with fertilizer and lime. Then dig out any
weeds, cover the patches with a dressing of topsoil and
peat moss, and sow two or three pounds of grass seed
per 1,000 square feet. The bare areas may require twice
that much seed.
After rolling, the lawn should be kept well watered
until green shoots appear or freezing sets in. Autumn is
an auspicious time for planting grass because the seeds
get less competition from crabgrass and other pests.
Now, too, is the time for setting in hardy bulbs such as
tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and snowdrops.
These Dutch bulbs are among the easiest garden flowers
to grow and are practically certain to bloom.
Daffodils are a particularly good investment, multiply
ing and paying attractive dividends for many Springs to
come. The stately, erect shape of hyacinths makes them
best for edging a driveway or walk. Larkspur, cosmos,
and certain lilies are other flowers that can be planted
in the Fall for Spring blooming.
Most rose bushes, fruit trees, and evergreens can be
set out now, too. To help insure that roots get adequate
air and moisture, try mixing the soil with an inorganic
perlite, which is made of granulated volcanic rock. This
conditioner and insulator also can be used to cover bulbs
stored over the Winter, protecting them against extreme
changes in temperature and humidity.
As for shrubs, these specimens will be more or less
permanent fixtures in your garden, so place them care
fully and be sure to leave lots of room between. They
should be set in straight-sided holes dug at least six
inches larger than the ball of soil around their roots and
watered generously.
Prune away excess growth, look to the compost, clean
and oil tools then relax. Spring, and the seed catalogs,
will soon be here!
3"
5"
7"
Family Weekly, October 13, 1957