Christine Eirschele's Blog

Posted by Christine Eirschele

It’s the end of another gardening season by all outward appearances. The tomato plants are picked over and haggard looking and potted plants are tumbling over their rims. But I know, and most self-respecting gardeners know, that September out in the garden can be one of the busiest months of the year.

We need one last push of instant gratification, gardener’s style, to get us through the cold winter months. I search through local garden centers for asters, mums and ornamental cabbage. For me, the perfect companions to my orange and yellow marigolds hanging on in the garden bed are the purples. As traditional as they might be, fall colors mean orange and purple to me.

Another traditional garden plant is the pansy or viola. For northern gardeners, the pansies that tolerate freezing temperatures and able to come back in spring is a big attraction. Now is the time to plant them for one last look at color and anticipate their blooms in spring.

If you haven’t already done it, remember to bring in geraniums and coleus you wish to save over winter. These plants can be kept for next year, at the same time dressing up your indoor garden.

Outside another garden project is planting those bearded iris and peonies you want to see in your garden next spring. Remember to mark the location of new perennials, after you have planted them.

It isn't too late for bulb planting. Those tulips like to be planted as late in the season as possible and avoid an Indian Summer pop.

September is a great month for gardening. It is possible to still see so much blooming in the garden while making plans for gardens to come. Then get out and see autumn's other treasures like last visits to your favorite garden center and pumpkin hunting. Who knows what ideas you will come away with for next year's gardens.

Posted by Christine Eirschele

Gardening is most associated with sunshine and summertime. But gardeners are individuals and we are as varied as the plants we grow. For me, the hot hazy humid Midwest days of late summer are my least favorite times to be rummaging in my outside garden.

It is for days like these, I save time to be indoors writing in my garden journal. Up to now, during my daily morning garden strolls with my dachshund, I like making mental notes of what I see. The flowers that bloomed well, plants that should be moved and potted plants in my container garden looking tired out, growing too big, perhaps some too perfect. Is there such a thing?

I like to track the weather; too much rain early on, dry crunchy grass now and special events like the bee sting I received last week. The first time in my life, I might add. During the dead of winter these garden notes will help me plan next year’s gardens.

Seasons and gardens are always evolving but exactly what occurred and some musings about why are worth remembering. Soon fall will be upon us and autumn gardens can be refreshed with splashes of purples and oranges or make room indoors for over wintering plants and dig in some bulbs for the beginning of spring.

Meanwhile, I hope my garden musings will offer new and interesting ideas and inspiration. Soon the leaves turn as colorful as a garden full of flowers, I will be outside gardening with a comfy flannel shirt on refreshed by fall breezes, one of my favorite times of the year.