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Frost is Near or Already Here
It is fairly safe to say that Zones 3-4 are preparing to cover their beds, cutting back and mulching to prepare for winter. We are more fortunate in Zones 5-7 as we can dig all the way up until the third week of November with little extra effort. In the lower parts of the US, you can count on wrapping things up just after Thanksgiving.
Before the ground freezes, perennials can be still be planted with surprising ease. Extra effort isn't needed for digging but, extra care must be taken to ensure success.
Plant properly
A few intense freeze/thaw cycles will heave-up improperly planted perennials.
Fertilize
Top dressing new plantings with a neutral slow-release pellet fertilizer is good to add at initial planting. The fertilizer won't be used now but, it ensures that your plants wake to a healthy spring breakfast when the sun thaws the ground. Don't put fertilizer in the freshly dug hole that will burn the roots while it is not being used by theplant.
Mulch- Not as a decorative dressing but as a insulating blanket. Leaf compost and hardy wood chips are better than shredded pine. Pine-fines are one of our favorite mulches because of the nutrients it delivers (also very handsome). A 3-4" layer of organic matter will assist in augmenting the soil for Spring as it will integrate itself down through the top layer of soil and feed worms and microbes for early Spring. Over the Winter, the freezing and thawing will help to work the organic matter down to the plant roots.
Powerhouse Plants for Late Fall Planting:
Top plant families from which to choose
- Hellebore hybrids
- Hakonechloa
- Ferns
- Hostas
- Euphorbia
- Rudbeckia
Limit Pruning & Cutting Back
Remember not to cut back everything to the ground to enjoy some winter garden viewing interest and to provide shelter for small birds and animals. Ornamental grasses do just as well when cut back the week before last frost. This is a quick list of plants that
benefit from being left alone in the Fall/Winter
to name just a few.
Contact us for more information
As always, if you have any planning, design, or horticultural questions we are available by phone 410-557-7229 ext. 6 or by email sales@kurtbluemel.com. Sales and availability is easily accessed on our website at www.kurtbluemel.com\availability or by email at katy@kurtbluemel.com. Our professional and knowledgeable staff is ready and happy to help! In fact, we've added more sales staff. We'd like to welcome Sonnie Soter to our sales team.
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