Fall is Flowery, too

Fall is Flowery, TooSpring isn't the only time to get in your garden...

It’s true that living in a condominium has its ups and downs, and one thing I loved about owning a house was my large yard. Gardening will always be a favorite pass time and if you see my patio garden there is no denying my love for the hobby. A major benefit to living in the Lowcountry is the weather. You have a huge array of plants and flowers (and vegetables and herbs) to plant at all times of the year. With the cool breeze beginning to blow and the smell of fall in the air I wanted to share some tips and ideas for fall gardens.

 

 Most people think of fall as a time to clean up and clean out their gardens, and it is. You can cut back any greenery that won’t bloom until spring in order to create a fuller bloom when its season comes. You can also remove any plants that are too high maintenance or just not working for you (civic associations or shelters will take ones that are still in good condition for replant).  In Charleston fall is also a great time to plant so roots can grow and be establish by the spring. Annuals or Perennials (including bulbs) are both great species of flowers to plant in our community. They will survive through our humid summers and bloom up until our first frost or even through it.
If you are interested in the hardier, such as a vegetable garden, visit Clemson's Guide. It has great information on when to plant and how to be successful.

Also check out these money saving tips by AARP:

1. Fall is a good time to buy from nurseries because they have terrific sales. (My local nursery is promising 40 percent off.) You may not get a huge selection, but there will be some great bargains — even on trees. For even better deals, buy in bulk with a friend, or try negotiating with your local nursery if you have a long list of plants to buy. "Keep in mind that the plants on sale now don't look like they will in the spring and summer," says Sheri Silver, landscape designer and president of Fiori Garden Design in Irvington, N. Y. "After you've seen what's on sale, and before you buy, look up plants in books, catalogs, and online plant-finder tools so you'll have some idea of what they will look like next season," she says.

2. Need a new rake, spade or hoe? Look for yard sale bargains if you need tools. Estate sales especially may be clearing out entire gardening sheds.

3. Save on necessities like mulch and compost by buying from sources other than the nursery. Ginny Stibolt, a garden writer from Green Cove Springs, Fla., gets her mulch from a local woodcutter. "It's much 'greener' than the packaged mulch," she says. Don Engebretson gets his compost from a local landscaper. "It's a lot cheaper," he says, "especially if you have to cover a large area."

Happy Planting!