1. Think Ahead
For the best selection of annuals and perennials that shine in the fall, shop in the spring when garden centers have the largest selection. You can always add to your landscape when other fall annuals become available. Check out these ways to take your garden from good to great.
2. Put on a Fall Show
For the maximum impact, set aside an area where you can cluster fall plants. A bed of late-season blooms and colorful foliage creates a fabulous focal point in any yard. Follow these tips for starting a garden affordably.
3. Mix It Up
Design your fall garden using trees, shrubs, vines and grasses, as well as annual and perennial flowers. You’ll have a garden with texture, movement and amazing color. Plus, here are some flowers that attract hummingbirds.
4. Be Creative With Color
Choose plants that complement the traditional fall palette to make colors even more vibrant. On the color wheel, green complements red, blue complements orange and purple compliments yellow.
5. Fill in With Fall Annuals
By autumn, a few spring and early-summer plants may have died back, leaving you with gaps to fill. Buy cool-season annuals, or start them from seed in midsummer. By the way, here are some vegetables you should start indoors.
6. Put Out More Pots
If your fall garden calls for color or texture, a great-looking container may be the easiest solution. Assemble late-season pots to accent or fill in any ho-hum spots in your beds. Plus: these are the easiest plants to grow in a container.
7. Don’t Forget To Water
The sun-drenched days of summer may be over, but your garden still needs water to survive. If your landscape isn’t getting enough rain, water any new plants, as well as existing ones, until the ground freezes. Plus, this is the best time to water your plants.
8. Maintain Your Garden’s Good Looks
Weeding, raking leaves, removing diseased and insect-infested plants and dividing overgrown ones not only helps your yard look great, it prepares your garden to survive the winter. Here are some ways to get your kitchen ready for the change of season too.
9. Stop the Fertilizer
Plant growth should slow before winter sets in, so don’t encourage it with fertilizers. You can continue feeding container plants, though, to extend their late-season beauty. Be sure to avoid doing these things to your lawn.
10. Know Your Frost Date
A key event on any garden calendar is the average date of the first frost. Even a light frost can damage certain plants, signaling the close of the growing season.
Next, read up on solutions for the most common gardening problems.
The post 10 Tips for a Fabulous Fall Flower Garden appeared first on Taste of Home.
Family Handyman