Fall Planting, Part Two

Fall peas

The peas, lettuce, carrots and green beans I planted last month are coming along well, with warm sunny days, cool nights, and more rain to encourage them.  In a few weeks, as nights get colder, I'll have to consider covering them at night, but so far we've only had one night go below 50 degrees.  My tomatoes, sweet peppers and herbs, that struggled during the worst of the summer heat are perking up and looking better now. 

With the more reliably moderate weather, I have begun planting some of the fall flowers like pansies, asters and mums.  I am careful to get hardy mums, so that I can enjoy them more than one year.

Cool Nights

Last night the temperature here got down below 50 degrees for the first time this fall.  I'd seen the forecast a couple of days ahead, so I knew I'd need to take some action to protect my most tender house plants that have been summering outside.  I have quite a few plants that move outside for the summer, and in for the winter.  They tend to flourish with all the extra sunlight they get, so I am reluctant to bring them back inside any sooner than needed.  Some of them, such as the lemon tree, coleus and geraniums, I particularly try to protect from cold.

Fall Planting, Part One

Fall planting season is coming up.  Spring is often when folks think of planting, but for many plants, such as most grasses, trees, shrubs, and perennials, fall is actually the best time to plant.  This gives plants time to develop a much better root system before facing the heat and drought of summer. The weather is more moderate in the fall, yet the soil is still warm.  This is ideal for roots to grow without the demands of summer weather.  Then in the spring, the plant gets another moderate season for growth before the summer heat. Anything planted in the spring gets only one season, with cooler soil, to get established.

Favorite Flowers: Moss Rose

Allergy Index Scale: 2
Annual
Full sun, 4 - 6 inches 

Multi-colored moss rose

Portulaca, generally called moss rose, is a great low-growing plant for hot, sunny areas.  It blooms for much of the summer, with colorful flowers that may be red, orange, pink, yellow, or white, or occasionally variegated.   A single plant may spread up to two feet, so they can make a great ground cover. I like to use them in areas that are hard to reach with the garden hose, as they tolerate hot Kansas sun better than most flowers, and with less watering. They do well along that hot drive, in rock gardens, containers or tumbling over the edges of a hanging basket.

Planting Fall Crops

Earlier this evening, I was out planting some lettuce and radishes.  In the place of a withering cucumber vine, I put in a row of lettuce that I (and my bunnies) will enjoy later this fall. A couple of weeks ago I'd planted beets and bush beans to replace the sweet corn. Succession planting is where as one crop ends, you plant another, and enjoy fresh vegetables up until winter.

Easy Houseplants: Coleus

Allergy Index Scale: 1
Tender perennial
Shade, 6 inches - 3 feet

Coleus is grown for its foliage rather than flowers, and comes with a variety of colors, patterns and shapes of leaves. It is a good foliage plant for shady areas or an easy houseplant for sunny windows.

Coleus is easy to propagate, by rooting a cutting in water. Cut a piece of stem just below the leaves, and pinch off any leaves that would be underwater. Once roots are well formed, it's ready to plant. in a light, well-drained soil.  Do not plant outside until the temperature stays over 50 degrees.

Feeding Birds: Goldfinches

One colorful and delightful bird commonly seen at birdfeeders is the goldfinch. They are sociable little birds and spend much of the year in lively flocks, and are known for their acrobatics.  They prefer black oil sunflower seeds,  thistle, or niger.

Goldfinches will use about any kind of feeder: hopper, platform or hanging feeders, and are happy to eat the seed spilled below feeders. Some people have reported great success attracting them by offering thistle in sock-type mesh feeders. If you have trouble with other birds chasing goldfinches away to eat the seed, you can try an upside-down feeder, where the goldfinches will happily cling to get the seed.