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“If you do it now, you’ll be a step ahead."
Rick Durham
UK Extension Horticulture Specialist
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By Laura Skillman
PRINCETON, Ky., (Oct. 12, 2005) – The onset of cooler days and longer nights is
no time to slack off on gardening chores. Now is the time to perform a myriad of
tasks to prepare the garden for winter and ready flower beds for a beautiful
spring display.
Cleaning up dead plants and other debris in the vegetable garden this fall will
help reduce the potential for fungal, bacterial and other disease problems in
next year’s crops, said John Hartman, plant pathologist with the University of
Kentucky College of Agriculture.
When tidying up the garden, check for disease problems. Cut off tomato plants
and dig up the roots to check for root knot nematodes. If nematodes are present,
crop rotation or even planting tall fescue in that area of the garden might be
necessary to alleviate the problem, he said.
As you remove debris from the vegetable garden, begin planning for next year’s
crops so that the same types of plants won’t be planted in the same location two
years in a row.
“Crop rotation is the most effective and least expensive disease control we
have,” Hartman said.
As the weather cools, pumpkins and winter squash need to be harvested and stored
in a cool place, said Rick Durham, Extension consumer horticulture specialist.
While it is too late for planting fall vegetables, there are several crops that
do well in Kentucky gardens in the fall when planted in late summer. This allows
gardeners to continue to enjoy broccoli and cabbage into early November.
Leftover fruits, called mummies, need to be removed from trees or bushes and
disposed of because they can harbor diseases that will impact next year’s crop,
Durham said. Clean up around fruit trees by raking leaves and dried fruit to
also reduce potential pest problems.
Not all fall chores are about sanitation. Fall is also the ideal time to plant
trees and shrubs, Durham said.
When picking out species to plant look for ones that are suited to Kentucky and
your landscape. Consider what the tree’s height and canopy will be at maturity,
not when it is new, he said. Select a site where the tree or shrub will grow
well and look good and not pose a problem later. Especially watch for power
lines.
After a couple of frosts and the trees start to turn colors, it is time to
fertilize the landscape. Wait until trees are dormant so they don’t lose some of
their winter hardiness when nitrogen is applied. Applying 1 to 2 pounds of
nitrogen per 1,000 square feet is usually sufficient for most lawns and
landscapes. Splitting the application into two or three smaller applications in
October and November is ideal.
Fall is also time to plant perennials such as daffodils and tulips and other
spring-blooming bulbs. Spring-blooming bulbs can also be dug up and divided at
this time, but with the foliage gone, they may be difficult to find if their
location was not marked previously.
When selecting trees and bulbs, check for diseases. Make sure there is no fungal
growth on tulip bulbs and discard any that are soft or decayed, Hartman said.
Check trees for canker diseases and make sure the trees put on good growth this
year. This can be checked by looking at the length of the twigs. Also, select a
site that has adequate drainage to keep from having root rot next year.
Be sure to apply a layer of mulch to help reduce the chances of bulbs being
heaved from the ground due to freezing and thawing, Durham said. Mulch will also
help conserve soil moisture and serve as an insulating agent during severely
cold temperatures. Don’t stop watering your plants, trees and shrubs. Make sure
they continue to receive an inch of water every couple of weeks until the ground
freezes, Durham said.
As the foliage dies on tender perennials such as cannas, gladiolas and elephant
ears, the bulbs need to be dug up and stored for replanting next year.
After the first hard freeze, remove annuals and cut back perennials to near
ground level. The plant material can be placed in the compost bin along with
refuse from the vegetable garden.
If you have plants outdoors that you plan to bring into the house for the
winter, it is time to begin moving those that have been in direct sun into the
shade for a few days to prepare them for reduced lighting, Durham said. Also,
check for pests before bringing them indoors as it is easier to treat the
problem before you bring it into the house.
After the gardening tasks have been completed, don’t forget your tools. Cleaning
your hoe, spade and other tools and servicing your lawn mower will have them
ready to go when spring fever hits.
“If you do it now, you’ll be a step ahead,” Durham said.
Writer: Laura Skillman
270-365-7541 ext. 278
Contact: John Hartman,
859-257-7445 ext. 80720
Rick Durham, 859-257-3249
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