Rose Cuttings
HED Fall Checklist
We all naturally get caught up in the frenzy of gardening each spring. How can we not, with the beauty of wildflowers, awe-inspiring emergence of tulips and other bulbs, and the floral displays on fruit trees, roses and perennials? Despite this, fall is the better season for a number of garden activities. Here are a few tasks that will greatly reward your effort, come spring, with a more glorious garden.
PLANT. Trees, shrubs, perennials and roses all do better if planted in the fall. Plants installed in the fall build better root systems, leading not only to plants with more vigor and flowers in the spring, but better acclimation and thus less mortality in the following summer. Remember! Plant in the fall … enjoy in the spring.
MULCH. A good layer (3 to 4 inches) of hardwood bark mulch, composted manure or even freshly fallen leaves (Mother Nature does this naturally in the fall) will add health and vigor to our landscapes. Mulch is the food of the microorganisms that provide natural fertilizer to our plants. Mulch will protect our plants from severe cold, help hold moisture in the soil, and even curtail unsightly weeds.
PRUNE. Many of our plants grow too large for the area in which they were planted. Fall is a perfect time to reduce these shrubs to their appropriate size. Train and prune roses for increased fall and spring bloom.
EDUCATE. Attend the free Fall Festival of Roses at the Antique Rose Emporium Nov. 1-3 and learn from a panel of gardening experts like Felder Rushing, Greg Grant, Pam Penick, Judy Barrett and ARE’s own Mike Shoup. (Editor’s note: Click for details about the Antique Rose Emporium’s 25th Annual Fall Festival of Roses.)
Remember the performance of your plants in the spring and summer is determined by how you garden in the fall. Take a little bit of time this fall to maintain your garden so, come spring, you can sit back and enjoy it!
About the author: Mike Shoup is the owner of the Antique Rose Emporium. Visit his company’s Brenham and San Antonio display gardens for endless ideas on landscaping with roses. To order roses online, visit www.weAREroses.com.