Garden Gate – October 2019

GardenGateMagazine.com | GARDEN GATE 81

Contrast attracts the most attention.

Coarse-textured plants frame a fi ne-

textured tree for maximum impact.

Similar textures blend together.

When framed with fi ne-textured plants,

a fi ne-textured focal point can get lost.

Your attention,

please!

While you’re creating texture contrast,

you can call attention to a favorite feature.

For example, say you’d like to highlight a

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). In the

illustrations below, notice how you can

attract attention to it by framing with

coarse-textured foliage. Surround it with

lacy foliage and the tree blends in.

Although texture is an important

element, there are other factors to

consider. Just as when framing a print,

you’d choose a mat and frame that

complement without detracting, choose

framing plants that are more subtle than

the specimen. Even though they’d create

contrast with the Japanese maple, wildly

variegated hostas (Hosta hybrids) might

steal the show.

regional tips

early fall

Pull out the camera and snap some shots of what you’ve accomplished this year.

Don’t forget to take a few photos of areas that need improvement, too!

Plant cold-tolerant annuals and refresh containers with autumn plants.

Buy spring-blooming bulbs early for the best selection. Store them in a cool spot

until you’re ready to plant.

Shop for tree, shrub and perennial bargains and get them in the ground.

Feed your lawn.

Divide perennials that bloom in late spring and summer, such as irises, daylilies

and daisies.

Watch for insects and treat the problem to cut down on overwintering populations.

midfall

Rake up and compost leaves. Clean up dried leaves, stems and twigs around

the garden.

Put out the bird feeders.

Plant trees and shrubs if you haven’t already. Keep them watered until the

ground is frozen.

Mow the lawn once more and do end-of-season maintenance on the mower.

Bring houseplants inside before night temperatures dip into the 50s.

Harvest any last produce from the vegetable garden. Spread a layer of compost

over the garden so it will be ready to till in spring.

Control weeds that have been lurking in the lawn before they set seed.

Plant spring-blooming bulbs now.

late fall

Empty, wash and store your containers. Use a dolly to move heavy

or large ones.

Protect trees and shrubs from winter weather and scavenging animals.

Sharpen and put away tools.

Cover new perennials, and those that have a tendency to heave, with mulch.

Empty the hose and coil it up. Also empty and store the birdbath unless you will

be using a heater.

Prevent damage to your lawn and plants. Use a garden-friendly deicer, coarse sand

or turkey grit instead of salt to melt ice from sidewalks and driveways.

Dream about next year’s garden and place orders for new plants early.

Use these seasonal and regional tips to get your garden in shape for winter.

There are lots of things that need to be done at the end of the season. To help you fi nish

the essentials, use this checklist as a guide. The next two pages have more specifi c tips

for certain areas of North America. The USDA cold-hardiness zones where the tip is most

helpful are listed after each idea.

GG14967_83_BONUS.indd 81GG14967_83_BONUS.indd 81 6/26/2019 12:38:48 PM6/26/2019 12:38:48 PM

GardenGateMagazine.com | GARDEN GATE 81

Contrast attracts the most attention.

Coarse-textured plants frame a fi ne-

textured tree for maximum impact.

Similar textures blend together.

When framed with fi ne-textured plants,

a fi ne-textured focal point can get lost.

Your attention,

please!

While you’re creating texture contrast,

you can call attention to a favorite feature.

For example, say you’d like to highlight a

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). In the

illustrations below, notice how you can

attract attention to it by framing with

coarse-textured foliage. Surround it with

lacy foliage and the tree blends in.

Although texture is an important

element, there are other factors to

consider. Just as when framing a print,

you’d choose a mat and frame that

complement without detracting, choose

framing plants that are more subtle than

the specimen. Even though they’d create

contrast with the Japanese maple, wildly

variegated hostas (Hosta hybrids) might

steal the show.

regional tips

early fall

Pull out the camera and snap some shots of what you’ve accomplished this year.

Don’t forget to take a few photos of areas that need improvement, too!

Plant cold-tolerant annuals and refresh containers with autumn plants.

Buy spring-blooming bulbs early for the best selection. Store them in a cool spot

until you’re ready to plant.

Shop for tree, shrub and perennial bargains and get them in the ground.

Feed your lawn.

Divide perennials that bloom in late spring and summer, such as irises, daylilies

and daisies.

Watch for insects and treat the problem to cut down on overwintering populations.

midfall

Rake up and compost leaves. Clean up dried leaves, stems and twigs around

the garden.

Put out the bird feeders.

Plant trees and shrubs if you haven’t already. Keep them watered until the

ground is frozen.

Mow the lawn once more and do end-of-season maintenance on the mower.

Bring houseplants inside before night temperatures dip into the 50s.

Harvest any last produce from the vegetable garden. Spread a layer of compost

over the garden so it will be ready to till in spring.

Control weeds that have been lurking in the lawn before they set seed.

Plant spring-blooming bulbs now.

late fall

Empty, wash and store your containers. Use a dolly to move heavy

or large ones.

Protect trees and shrubs from winter weather and scavenging animals.

Sharpen and put away tools.

Cover new perennials, and those that have a tendency to heave, with mulch.

Empty the hose and coil it up. Also empty and store the birdbath unless you will

be using a heater.

Prevent damage to your lawn and plants. Use a garden-friendly deicer, coarse sand

or turkey grit instead of salt to melt ice from sidewalks and driveways.

Dream about next year’s garden and place orders for new plants early.

Use these seasonal and regional tips to get your garden in shape for winter.

There are lots of things that need to be done at the end of the season. To help you fi nish

the essentials, use this checklist as a guide. The next two pages have more specifi c tips

for certain areas of North America. The USDA cold-hardiness zones where the tip is most

helpful are listed after each idea.