Planting the Seed of Intention
As the days become shorter and the leaves begin to line the streets, we know autumn has arrived. There is an ever-so-slight chill to the air and the light has softened. The leaves fall and soften our hardscapes. Now, we know it’s time to begin putting our gardens to sleep for the winter.
October in the garden represents a transitional month. Forethought is required. While we’re gently and slowly putting our gardens to rest, we have to think about what it will look like during the winter months. We also have to think about where our bulbs will go and what they will look like in the spring.
Cut perennials back to their basal (base) foliage. Shape ornamental grasses so that they can continue their show through the winter. Trim trees so they can show off their awesome form. Plant spring bulbs deep in the ground. Pot pansies, ornamental cabbages and kales for festive color and texture in containers.
In Colorado, in particular, as our winters become milder and less snow falls, gardens are more exposed, leaving the passerby with something to look at. It can be a garden of messy, unorganized shapes and sizes, with no real thought. Or, it can be a marvel of structure and form and repetition.
Winter gardens are a new way of looking at a garden; a different perspective of the plant material. It allows us the opportunity to look beyond the bloom and foliage. We can think about how it will transform shape and size and color and form when the snow flies.
More and more varieties are being introduced that are able to withstand our fickle climate. From a mild 60 degree day in January to 40 degree drop the next day, plants are determined to live. They are bred to thrive in our capricious zone.
Evergreen trees and shrubs are ideal. They anchor the garden bed in the dead of winter. They offer a permanency to the ever-evolving garden. There are an abundance of evergreen varieties: small, round, columnar, soft needled, dwarf and in an assortment of colors from blue to gray-green.
While the hundreds of varieties of junipers have their time and space, I often look to boxwoods, yews and spruce for my evergreen fix. Where does your garden need evergreen varieties? Look around your entries and near the foundation.
Planting in October can be risky. So long as the soil is moist and you’re willing to tend to your garden, you shouldn’t have a problem. Keep in mind, that irrigation systems are being put to rest for the season. All gardens require some winter watering, especially when there isn’t adequate snow coverage and we have extended dry periods.
This mellow month of October allows us to plant the seeds of our intentions. The coming winter months are an ideal time for our intentions to gestate. As you look at your sleeping gardens, think about how to create a more dynamic and year-round garden.
Marne can be reached at marnenorquist@gmail.com.
OCTOBER GARDEN TIPS
- Average first killing frost date is October 15th.
- Drain and winterize water features and irrigation systems.
- Fall clean-up: remove summer annuals, cut back perennials.
- Remove dead wood from perennials, shrubs and trees.
- Enrich the soil with organic materials. Add shredded leaves around perennials to decompose over the winter. Or, add compost and shovel turn to reduce insect and disease problems next season.
- Mulch perennials and roses (after the 1st hard frost) using straw, compost or shredded bark to help protect them through the winter.
- Water the lawn 3/4” a week if the weather is dry.
- Rake leaves from lawn as soon as the trees are bare.
- Deep-root water your trees and shrubs to make sure they receive adequate moisture before going into dormancy and before the ground freezes.