Fall Planting Guide for Asters

Planting in Flower Beds 1. Choose plants that still have a lot of buds. 2. When planting asters in the ground, lightly tease the roots apart as you would any transplant. 3. Asters prefer rich soil and a sunny position in the garden with at least a half day of sun. They need plenty of air circulation around the plant. 4. No need to fertilize during the fall season. 5. Water newly planted asters immediately after transplanting them. Asters like …

Cold Tolerant Annuals for Fall Color

To extend the beauty of your garden into autumn and put some color back into your landscape, consider planting some cold-tolerant annuals.  Many of these can take temperatures to 20° F.  As our seasons change, so can your garden by highlighting these beautiful tough plants in your beds, borders and containers. Ageratum Nemesia Argyranthemum Nicotiana Asters Osteospermum Bracteantha Petunia Calendula Phlox (annual) Calibrachoa Rudbeckia Cyclamen Salvia, Victoria and greggii Diascia Stock Gazania Verbena canadensis Lobelia     Frost hardy annuals …

Swiss Chard (Beta) – Fall Care

Swiss Chard is a cool weather ornamental and edible crop planted in early spring or late summer. Mulching will help retain the necessary moisture for this plant to thrive. Fertilizer: When planted in the fall and used as an ornamental, it will not need any additional fertilizer. Hardiness:  Not hardy in Michigan Water:  Semi-dry to Moist Soil:  Plants prefer a nitrogen rich soil with plenty of organic matter. Sandy loam to clay loam. Pests:  Slugs and Snails – Begin watching …

Flowering Cabbage & Kale (Brassica) – Fall Care

Cabbage and Kale are ornamental as well as edible cool weather crops. As the temperatures begin to drop these plants start showing their beautiful colors. Treat like any transplant. Gently tease the roots apart if the plant is pot bound. Fertilizer: When planted in the fall and used as an ornamental no additional fertilizer is needed. Light: Part Sun to Full Sun Bloom-time:  Early summer until fall Hardiness Zone:  2 to 10 – Not Hardy when grown in a container… …