As Summer Draws to a Close

As summer draws to a close, we are momentarily distracted by pumpkins, fuzzy sweaters, feasts and flashing lights, then the hunkering down happens - “brace for winter impact”, says your brain. May I humbly suggest a few steps to prepare the garden, yourself, and your mental health for the journey ahead (into winter, I mean): Don’t rake up all your leaves. Pardon me for sounding like a broken record, but there are still too many brown bags hitting the curb in fall. Should you happen to have a shade garden, leaf ‘litter’ (the very best kind of litter, ever) is a fantastic, free way to replenish the soil. The rotting leaves contain all sorts of nutrients and spongy fiber to enrich the dusty shade soil that seems to hold no moisture and grow little to nothing. Too many leaves of a big-leaved tree such as a Maple can smother grass, but rarely a perennial. Don’t cut everything back to the ground. Seeds left on perennials will be consumed by various creatures, winged and otherwise. A dense bunch of stalks and stems provides habitat for overwintering native bees. Seedheads and grasses, bits of garden covered in snow remind us what is where, so that we don’t go overboard at the garden centre come spring (I’m still getting over this habit) – leave it, and learn to love it that way. Consider mapping your garden, to scale or as a sketch. Spend winter dreaming a little; will you finally install the long-awaited pond or fountain, the gazebo or shade pergola, remove the weed trees to grow veggies and native plants instead? Getting something done in the garden rarely takes precedence over a new bathroom or kitchen upgrade, but does affect your quality of life. If you are fortunate enough to have a yard but never use it, perhaps it’s time to call in a designer for ideas and a plan to move forward. On a personal note, we are still creating our ideal garden in much the same way as we are still refining the house for our needs (in phases). Not ready for more perennials and wildflowers, or on a tight budget? Fill in the blanks with ‘placeholders’, AKA annuals. Many of my favourite annuals are easily grown from seed and can be ordered online over winter (joyful little promises arriving in the mail!). Easy to grow and the cheapest for some all season colour are: Nicotiana - white, tall and extremely fragrant at night, requires full sun. Calendula - cheerful antidotes to Marigolds, loves dry, hot and sunny. Verbena Bonariensis - tall, thin, purple and loved by bees and butterflies. Best value for shade? Coleus - colourful, tough and easy to propagate from cuttings; stick it in a glass of water and roots appear after a few days. The garden addicts know that winter is merely a break to gather our seeds, our plans, our dreams, to bravely launch out in all directions at the first sight of snowdrops. Please join us.

#NovDec2015