 It's true - Fall is for Planting! September 1st seems to come earlier and earlier each year and that means Swan Bucks. September 1st through the 15th redeem your Swan Bucks on any and all plants in stock. We restocked last week with new plants from Monrovia. Shrubs like Golden Nugget Barberry, Potentilla 'Gold Drop' and Cranberry Cotoneaster, Clematis Vines, Virginia Creeper and more. Kids will be going back to school soon and we'll have time to finish up In The Garden.
Tamus Gannon
Swan River Gardens Website
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| Pest Advice
Chill Out 
It is hard to look nearly anywhere in the yard and garden in late summer or early fall and not see powdery mildew , aphids or a host of other pests or diseases. Even in the vegetable garden plants that are still happily producing can look a little rough. The good news is this is the one time of year when we will more than likely tell you not to worry. The truth is most of these pests will be knocked down by the frost we will get any night now. That frost is far deadlier than any chemical you can use. Give your garden a break and chill out while you wait for the coming chill to deliver the final punch!
The exception to this advice is slugs. Slugs lay their eggs in late summer and an application of slug bait in early fall can reduce next season's slug numbers. Be sure to look for the non-toxic to pets formulas Swan River Gardens carries. Old formulas contain the same ingredient as antifreeze and are highly attractive and toxic to pets. New products use iron phosphate and are no danger to our beloved companions.
Tip: Try this natural way to fight Powdery Mildew. Mix one part milk to eight parts water and spray on infected plants, apply every other day for a week for best results. |
Fall Compost
Building foundation 
Fall is the best time to apply compost to your flower gardens. As you do fall cleanup apply a liberal layer of 3-5 inches of compost to the beds once they are bare of plant material. If you are concerned about smothering a delicate plant, set a pot upside down over it that will cover the stubby stems after cutting back. The vast majority of plants will need no such protection though. They will sprout up through the settled compost in spring without any trouble. Bagged compost such as locally produced Glacier Gold gives your flower gardens both a needed nutrient boost and helps maintain good soil texture. A liberal fall top dressing is one less thing that needs your attention on the busy spring.
Tip: Large or small area to cover, consider buying in bulk. Bulk compost can save you lots of $$$, one third the price of bagged material. Download this handy Bulk Coverage Chart to calculate the right amount of compost for your garden.
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| Fall Bulbs
Think Spring 
Remember those fabulous displays of tulips and daffodils that lit up the spring? It's time to plant those bulbs to get that spring burst of color!
If you fight deer in your garden avoid tulips and concentrate on daffodils instead. Smaller flowers such as grape hyacinths and crocus also have good deer resistance. Full size hyacinths will work too. Be sure to handle hyacinth bulbs carefully; many people have allergic reactions to them and while it is just a pesky rash you do not want to get it in your eyes or mouth.
Plant all bulbs 3-5 per hole. This creates a more natural look than lining bulbs up. All bulbs should be planted four times a deep as they are wide. The average tulip bulb is about 1 ½ inches in diameter so it should go about 6 inches deep. Small crocus bulbs are less than 1 inch on average so 4 inches deep is plenty for them. Throw a handful of bone meal in the bottom of each hole. It gives bulbs a needed boost to make good roots in the spring and gives them some deep food for the next year's flower show.
When you are choosing locations for bulb plantings remember that they will come up in early spring and sites that will be full shade by June may have plenty of sun in April. Also think about camouflaging the bulb leaves as they yellow. The bulbs need those declining leaves to feed and recharge. Many gardeners put plants that will grow vigorously in early summer nearby to hide the leaves of bulb planting.
Finally be sure to put some bulbs where you will see their flowers every day in spring. That late April snowstorm is not nearly so discouraging if bulbs are bursting forth undeterred where you can see them as you trudge out in the morning.
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Fall & The Deer Menu
Not Tonight Deer
Our marauding pals the deer often do some of their worst damage in fall. It is a good time to reapply deterrent sprays before the fall feasting begins. It also provides some early winter protection. Trees, especially Aspen, need bark guards put on before the bucks begin rubbing them, they cost just a few bucks and can save the life of your tree. Be sure to remove them in spring. Come see us if you plan to wrap any shrubs for protection. Swan River Gardens carries all the burlap supplies you need plus the expert know how to help you get the job done right!
Tip: Here is a recipe for home made deer repellent.
Deer Repellent:
1 egg
1 tablespoon of dish soap
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1/2 cup of milk
1 gallon of water
Blend, Spray.
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A Few Fall Tips
Last But Not Least
- Perennial Beds: Don't worry about waiting up to the last minute to clean perennial beds. You can start cutting back perennials in mid September and cause no harm. Divide and conquer, I like to divide in the fall rather than in the spring because the plants have more time to set new roots before growing up into the heat. If your one those who would rather cut off your foot than chop up your prized Peony It's a great time to plant perennials.
- Quick Composting: Chop up garden plants as you pull them and then till them into your garden soil. They will break down over winter adding nutrients and texture. In spring as you prepare your beds you can remove any larger stems that did not decompose enough. If you've been piling up yard debris for compost now is the time to turn it and harvest any compost that is ready. Don't add too many leaves to the pile. Run the mower over a small amount of leaves and add those but make separate leaf piles for the rest.
- Apply A Pre-Emergent: To control pesky weed seed that might have blown in.
- Trees And Shrubs: Hold off on fertilizing your trees and shrubs, late feeding encourages new growth that may not have time to harden off before winter. Cooler weather will signal plants to start dormancy, cut back on the water for earlier fall color. If you had a busy year fighting insects or disease on your trees and shrubs try disposing of the leaves when they fall to get rid of any eggs and or spores that may lie dormant until next year.
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Mark Your Calendar
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Join us Saturday September 12th for our Annual Customer Appreciation, we will be serving hot pulled pork sandwiches with all the fixings, along with dramatic savings storewide.
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Sincerely,
Tamus Gannon
Swan River Gardens
Thanks to our resident writer/photographer and Nursery Professional Paula Craft for this issue of In The Garden Newsletter. |
You have until Friday September 10th to save 40% on any and all Pottery in stock. Just print out this coupon present it at checkout to receive your discount. If you can't use it give it to a friend who might. 
