In school, we learned about the seasons. Whatever. We live in California! We can have flowers Spring into fall; no problem. We can BBQ in November! So, I’m spiffing things up and getting fresh in the garden this weekend. We’ve still got plenty of time for outdoor fun. If you’re a sissy, like me, you’ll realize that you’ve got tolerable weather to get things done in the morning and evening. Just follow the shade.

Here’s some ideas to get things looking pretty and get a fresh start on summer again. Get a small trash bucket to carry with you, and park the big green trash can nearby. Grab the hand pruners and gloves, a rake and a broom. Note: Don’t buy cheap pruners. Get the best, learn to sharpen them and you will enjoy your work. It makes a difference.

Ideas:

1. Trim anything that is big and floppy and just plain unsightly to your taste.

2. Give the Roses a moderate pruning (you’ll get another bloom in a few weeks!)

3. Pull out the annuals that didn’t do too well (disease, or just plain dead)

4. Pull out any humungous weeds (surprise! Found some dintcha?)

5. Dead-head perennials to give them a chance at some new life and new bloom.

6. Trim any out-of-control vines being careful to watch where you are cutting.

7. Ditch the Dead. Have a Viking funeral if you wish. It’s not coming back.

8. Fertilize with an organic fertilizer and replenish nutrients

9. Finish it all by cleaning the webs and sweeping.  Clean the front door too.

Stand back and take a look at your work every so often. You can accomplish a lot in just a few hours. Admiring your work is important. That sense of accomplishment will keep you going.

Tough Love here… Do you have pots with sad pathetic plants? Been like that for years? Now is the time to plant them up pretty or say goodbye. How long are you planning on displaying those sad little creatures? Was that pot free? Did you find it on Operation Cleanup? Just because a pot holds dirt, doesn’t mean it’s worthy of display.  We’ve all done it and we all must stop!

What about the front porch? Me too. Let’s get out there and clean that up. Maybe; plant a pot with something pretty. Don’t make the mistake of putting a teensie-weensie little pot out there. It looks silly. Get the biggest pot the space and the budget will accommodate. It will look nicer and the plants will fare better. Ever try a fountain? I dig mine. My super hubby even hooked it up so I can turn it on with a switch at the front door. He’s so awesome!

Try these great perennials:

JUST A FEW SUMMER/FALL BLOOMERS

Petite Lantana – Gorgeous and Small (sun)

Japanese Anemone – Super pretty Late Summer and Fall (shade) naturalizes

Salvia Greggii – Attracts Hummingbirds like crazy and blooms late summer fall (sun)

Happy Planting!

Annie

annie@belmontnursery.com