October can still be a very busy time for us gardeners. As the temperatures cool and the days shorten, we start to think about fall planting. There’s work we need to do to get our garden and containers ready to face winter’s cold temperatures. By now you should have your fall vegetable starts in such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and the many tasty varieties of lettuces available this time of year. Keeping these yummy veggies protected from the cold, and even the heat we may still get in October, is easy. A good layer of quality mulch will do the trick. You can apply fall mulch just like you do in spring, adding enough to refresh what’s broken down. There are several options available such as weed free straw, rice-hulls, and shredded bark.
Perennial plants come back every year and fall is the ideal time to plant new perennials and give your established perennials a little TLC. Adding a layer of mulch around the stalks and roots, pruning, cleaning out any dead plants, and giving your space a good weeding will give perennials a great fall bedding and a head start for spring. Here at Ashland Greenhouses, we have a variety of beautiful healthy perennials still available. Agastache ‘Purple Haze,’ Asters, and Rudbeckia ‘Denver Daisy’ are a few of my favorites.
You can add a pop of color to your spaces this time of year with beautiful blooming annuals. We are fully stocked with Pansies, Violas, Alyssum, Dusty Miller, and Snapdragons all of which are great ways to add color and a bit of texture in fall.
This season we grew a gorgeous foliage plant known as Millet ‘Copper Prince’ – some know this as “ornamental corn” which as the season progresses will deepen to a beautiful burgundy/purple color. I planted this with our Pansies, Violas, and Ornamental Kales for a stunning fall-inspired container. It looks amazing paired with our mums as well. Instead of decorating with corn stalks why not use this beauty instead?
It’s hard to believe that it’s almost time to start talking about the holidays as we still have some warm days hanging on, but they are quickly approaching. Keep Ashland Greenhouses in mind for your Poinsettias! We start our incredible Poinsettias in July and lovingly care for them until it’s time to celebrate the holidays. It’s a magical time here, so keep an eye on our website for when they will be ready. On our website you will also find our plant availability list, classes, and events. Go to www.ashlandgreenhouses.com or give us a call at 541-482-2866. Happy fall planting!
