Goodnight Garden
The branches are just about bare, perennials have been cut back and the garden is quiet. As opposed to spring, when you can almost see and hear the plants growing at your feet, by the last days of October nature has tucked itself in for the night. If you are wondering if you have completed the appropriate tucking in of your high mountain garden for the winter, here are a few things I try to make sure are done before the snow falls to help speed up the spring garden:
Plant bulbs for early spring color. Be sure to assess where you are planting those bulbs. Too close to the warm south side of the house, and they will want to peek up early and will get crushed by the March snow. Under the pile of snow that stays through May -ugh!- and they will be weak if they come up at all.
Vole defense: If you have had voles in your garden beds, try planting garlic cloves in and around the bed, especially near those newly planted bulbs.
Cut perennials back. Most of the perennials should be cut back by now, some more severely than others. If your not sure, drop me a line and I can give you a more detailed explanation.
Measure out the areas you want to change for next season. Winter is a great time to design your garden, especially if you have measured out the space while you can still see it. Measure, take pictures and call a designer to be ready to install your new garden in early spring!
The wild rose in the image below is a great example of diversity in your garden. This gem is mostly hidden through spring and summer, but gets the stage all to itself in its fall glory. Be sure to have some well placed late season gems in your garden next year.
