Autumn Color Starts Now

By Keith Markensen

Garden color in the fall starts by planting some bulbs to brighten the landscape.

Bulbs and the Like

Plant autumn crocus (colchicum) now for additional fall color. They are very easy to grow, having no particular soil preference and will actually bloom out of the soil, drawing on their supply of stored food. It is time to lift and divide the spring flowering bulbs of daffodils, tulips and the like. These can be replanted now, Madonna lilies should be transplanted during August if needed, and new ones can be planted. A depth of covering to two inches is recommended and the soil must be well drained, Many lilies form tiny bulbils in the axils of the leaves during August. These are exactly like bulblets except for color. They should be saved and handled like bulblets for new plants.

Lawns

August is an important lawn month. New lawns can be started from seed now, Bermuda grass is still the old reliable for the South. When planting from seed use hulled Bermuda at the rate of two pounds per 1,000 square feet of area. The usual directions of soil preparation and after care should be followed. In established lawns brown patch, a fungus disease, may become prevalent during August.

The areas may vary from a few inches in size to several feet in diameter. The dead zoysia grass has a smoky ring at its outer edges and the grass leaves have a bluish cast to their color. Check with a lawn professional for best control options. Begin shortening the height of cut during August so that the grass will tighten for winter.

Before leaving on your vacation, secure your garden for maintenance. Soak everything thoroughly and put a mulch on the flower beds and vegetable garden. Lower the mower and cut very low for this one time. Your garden can weather your absence and lack of attention for about two weeks. On your return you will have some very concentrated work to do. It is annoying how tall weeds can grow during a two weeks' absence.

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For more information on Autumn Gardening, see www.bestguidetogardening.com