Gardening in September
by Trina Mattson, Tofino

Okay so out of all of August we had approximately 7 days of rain, that includes days of heavy fog and half days of sprinkles, not so great for the plants, but excellent for the tan line, or lack of depending on your preference. With so little rain, how do we deal with the drought, and what type of drought tolerant plants are out there for us to enjoy. Many can be grown in the shade quite successfully, and there is a wide range that can take on full sun as well, given that you have the right soil conditions, so many that it would take pages to write down the list, but we always have a good selection at the garden center and are more than happy to help you select plants that will thrive in your specific locations.

The fall selection of flowers are in and in bloom for the most part, these include some of the most popular, pansies, violas, ornamental kales and cabbages, rudbeckia, sedums, mums and asters, in a wide range of colours to suit almost every bodies favorite flavour. Spring flowering bulbs are also in at this point with the most popular going fast, such as the calla aethopica, and the naturalizing tulip and narcissus, as well as Christmas flowering amaryllis and paper whites. And as always don’t buy bulbs and not the fertilizer, why spend hard earnings, and not provide the maintenance that bulbs require for the best display possible. Purchasing fertilizer specific to what you are growing is the best, when possible, basic fertilizers are great and work well, but there are certain plants that like specific nutrients that are only available in specialized fertilizers. If you buy all the components individually, the cost is much greater and the amount of fertilizer you would end up with would feed a lot more than the average household needs in one season.

This is prime time to be planting perennials, especially early spring flowering varieties. Planting them in the fall helps to get their roots growing before winter sets in and sets them up so that in the spring you have a larger display of flowers, and an established plant. Perennials, as well as Iris, and Peonies (although they hate being disturbed) can be divided to increase your stock.

Keep dead heading annuals and perennials to extend the bloom time. If you like to dry flowers, hydrangeas, lavender, and poppy seed heads are amongst the favourites at this time to cut and preserve. Give evergreens a trim fort he last time this season. Do not trim grey leaved perennials such as lavender until spring.

It’s time to sow winter crop vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, chards, radishes, oriental greens, and kales. Seeding lawns at this time is also okay, or sod, depending on budget, of course and water restrictions. Collecting seeds from your favorite annuals and perennials is also on the top of the list this month. Remember to label, and store correctly any moisture and your seeds are ruined. Bring in any indoor plants that have summered outside, be sure to check for slugs and bugs before hand. Cut down on the amount of water, and stop fertilizing This is a great time to check out the nursery for fall colour in the trees and shrubs, some of the most fantastic colours are starting to show up ranging from yellows to the deeps purples and the brightest reds. And for a little pick me up in containers gone wild and unruly, check out some of the ornamental grasses available, add these to winter pansies and kales and viola!! Beautiful planter all over again.

---

Trina Mattson owns and operates the Ordinary Corner Nursery in Tofino.