Everyone asks, “what can I plant in the fall in North Idaho?” Here’s a check list of some of the plants that actually love to be planted in the fall!
Next question everyone asks is, “how do you know how to cut back perennials?” If you are new to the area, or new to gardening, both questions can be daunting. Here’s an overview to help you get started! For more detailed info, visit our nursery and we’ll be happy to offer more knowledge. Check out our fall fertilizing video on our website for more helpful info CLICK HERE.
While you want to wait until spring to fertilize your perennials, it is the perfect time to feed your lawn for a beautiful spring and summer result. And the lawn fertilizer is in.
In North Idaho, fall is the perfect time to start to plant your bulb garden, or add to your existing bulbs.
Local favorites such as daffodils, tulips, hyacinth and crocus can bring immediate joy and color to your spring time garden. They can also provide brilliant color in your home when you cut them and put them in vases inside the house. Aah, I can smell the hyacinth now! While it is tempting to plant them when the weather is still warm, wait til the soil cools in late September. The bulbs will grow enough roots to solidly grow, but not enough to sprout before Spring. We are receiving our shipment of spring bulbs in the last week of September so be sure to make plans to come and get some!
We are also hosting a bulb planting class at the nursery that will provide you with detailed information about planting and fertilizing bulbs. You can sign up for the class HERE.
Fall is also a good time to plant raspberries, blueberries and grapes.
Come into the nursery soon to gather up your favorites! We have lots of raspberries, and lots of grapes are coming soon! And yes, there are some blueberries too!
General clean up, raking leaves, and cleaning out general garden debris in your flower beds will save you the hassle of a messy clean up in the fall, and promote healthy flower beds and plants in the spring!
GOOD TIP: Trees, shrubs and perennials can establish roots in soils that range from 45-65 degrees. In some cases, fall planting can actually be better for the plant than asking it to endure sweltering summer temperatures. The exception to the rule are evergreens.
So, tell me about perennials…
Some perennials don’t handle cold weather very well, and the cold can lead to multiple problems with pests and diseases. Cutting them back can help to protect them for a robust ‘come back’ in the spring! As a rule, most perennials should be cut back to between 3” - 6”.
GOOD TIP: Cutting old, diseased foliage in the fall helps a perennial be bigger and better in the spring! Some perennials need foliage for protection over the winter, and should be pruned in the spring. Refer to the care tags that came on your plant, or come see us and we’ll be happy to help guide you!
Here’s a list of 10 area favorite perennials & what to do to get them ready for winter
And finally, the plant that is most asked about regarding pruning in the fall…
Fall is the perfect time to work in your garden in the Inland Northwest!
Beautiful weather, ideal working conditions, and a crispness in the early morning air. Checkout our website for information on the pruning class that is coming up soon! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Before we call this a wrap on the newsletter this week, remember…
LABOR DAY WEEKEND IS UPON US! Come see what’s new!
Huge mums, fall corn husks, kales & cabbages, and ornamental peppers…along with a huge load of trees (such as Princeton Gold maples), more amazing hydrangea and those stellar hibiscus we wrote about earlier this summer! And then there are the hellebores!
We look forward to seeing you this holiday weekend! We will be open our normal hours! If you haven’t already done so, be sure to sign up for our Rewards Program the next time you are at the nursery and start earning points towards your first reward!
Safe and happy Labor Day to you all!