Favorite Fall Flower
The bright blooms of chrysanthemums will warm
your days. Even better, you get lots of show and color for a reasonable
price. Use them to quickly brighten your garden or patio. Supplement
your border by tucking in a few around your fall perennials. Perk up
your pots by painting them similar shades as the mums. Buy plants that
are full of buds just beginning to open. Tip: Regular watering is key to
success. These flowers have been groomed to look their best to sell and
have been on a liquid lunch. Warm days or sunny locations can cause them
to dry out fast.
Autumn Equinox
September 23 marks the end of summer and the
beginning of fall. It's time to begin setting out this season's annuals,
create new containers, buy bulbs, and plant trees and shrubs. Fall is
one of the best times to garden in the South. The weather is cooler, the
plant palette is simpler, and there are a lot fewer bugs. Be sure to get
outside and enjoy the days ahead.
Basil Care
Keep this tasty herb in full production by pinching the
flowers to increase the growth of new leaves. Give your plants a nudge,
and feed with a liquid fertilizer such as TerraCycle All-Purpose Plant
Food, Alaska Fish Fertilizer 5-1-1, or Miracle-Gro Liquid All Purpose
Plant Food 12-4-8. A little love now will ensure a steady supply of
fresh basil and extra for pesto or freezing.
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ZZ Plant
If you neglect your houseplants, you need this one. ZZ
plant has beautiful, glossy, dark green leaves. It wants to be ignored.
It is happy in areas with low light and grows slowly. Care is casual.
Let the soil dry out between watering. Never let plants sit in saucers
of water.
Container Recipe
You will need a 16-inch-diameter container. Add a
6-inch pot of 'Plum Pudding' American alum root and a 4-inch pot of
Spanish lavender for fragrance. Finish up with a Sorbet Series viola,
such as 'Blue Babyface.' Place in a spot that receives at least six
hours of sunlight a day.
Dividing Plants
In the Upper and Middle South, dig up and divide
clumps of daylilies, irises, and daisies. When lifted, some will fall
apart easily, while others may need to be coaxed. Set the plants back
into the soil at their original growing depth, water well, and mulch.
Give extras to friends.
