It isn’t official, but for Ohioan gardeners the passing of Labor Day marked the end of our season of full tilt gardening, and we entered our autumn in feeling and attitude. In my area this part of the year is dry, but in 2008 it is a little drier than usual.
We went for a short hike yesterday, but not before I had watered all my containers…yet they still had that seedy look that comes with the end of summer and the dry air just seems to suck all the moisture right out of the pots. It is time to think of taking cuttings for the winter sleepover that I hope to hold in my house for some of the choicer ones. I have some really pretty double impatiens and several geraniums to keep. Whether higher energy prices, which will result in cooler temperatures at my house, will be helpful or harmful remains to be seen.
See, I’m talking winter already!
What is truly seasonal is to plant trees this month. I wrote a new article, “Planting a Tree or a Shrub” to go along with autumn gardening tips @ ‘Ilona’s Garden‘. I’m not sure if I will plant more trees this year… they weren’t really in the plan. My plans for the fall are to increase some of the groundcovers, and I can never resist planting more bulbs.
The autumn clematis on my old trellis is blooming now. I noticed it yesterday. I let it get out of bounds, and it clambers over eveything in the near vicinity. It is very vigorous and has come back from some harsh winters stronger than ever, every time. I love the small flowers that completely cover the vine and the soapy sweet scent it gives to the air in the garden. Blooming for quite a long period normally, it is one of the plantings that lend interest to the end of the season, along with the asters some of which are also showing a bit of bloom. If they weren’t headed back earlier in the season, they tend to start blooming now. I cut many of them back in early July to create a more compact plant and delay the bloom.
Mums are going on sale… and that always says fall to me.
September is still very hot, and during our walk in the park yesterday, we perspired quite a bit even under the tree canopy. I am not eager to plant any thing quite yet due to the droughty conditions, but I can’t wait too long. The Almanac predicts a very cold December. Although I don’t know that they are correct so far. whether they are or whether they’re not, my new perennials would have to get settled in and sturdily rooting before the ground freezes.
How is your garden growing this September? Are you planning to plant any additional trees or shrubs this fall?
