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September
16
16
Seasonal Tips for Transitioning Your Long Island Garden to Fall
Our real estate agents can help you find a home with everything you want—including a nice, big garden for flowers, vegetables, herbs, or whatever you'd like to grow. Taking care of that garden, though, is up to you. Especially now, as the weather turns colder, there are certain things you need to do to get it ready for autumn and winter. Here are a few seasonal tips to transition your garden to fall.
- Annuals and Perennials. If you have any annuals planted, such as marigolds, petunias, or zinnias, it's time to remove them. Unlike perennials, which blossom again the next spring, annuals are done after a season. So once they've withered, dig them up and dispose of them. For your plants that will last more than a season, trim them to keep them healthy for next year. Get rid of any leaves or twigs that seem withered or wilted, along with dead flower heads, or any portions that show signs of disease. Cut your plants back to just a few inches above the ground or just above any new growth. It may seem bare now, but it will encourage growth in the spring.
- Herbs. Any herbs you have, such as basil or rosemary, should be harvested just before they bloom, as that's when the flavor will be at its peak. Save a few days' worth of leaves to use fresh, and store the rest by cutting them up, placing them in ice cube trays, and covering them with olive oil to be frozen. Then, take a cube or two from the freezer when you need them until next year's herb crop comes in.
- Mulch. Putting a layer of mulch on your flowerbeds while they're dormant can help eliminate weed growth and keep moisture in the ground while insulating the ground against the winter cold. It also adds nutrients to the soil, which extends the growing season and helps your plants to thrive longer. You can buy mulch at any gardening store or make your own using your old yard trimmings. Additionally, if you have a lot of fallen leaves around your yard, don't rake them up! Spreading them in a layer around your garden can have a similar mulching effect.
- Indoor Plants. During the summer, some people bring their indoor plants to the yard for a little extra warmth and sunshine. If you've done this, it's time to bring them in again. Don't do it all at once, though. Move them to a shady spot first to help reacclimate them gradually to an environment with reduced sunlight. After about two weeks, you can bring them inside again and place them by the window.
- New Plants. Your garden doesn't have to be totally dormant in the fall. There are plenty of plants that thrive in autumn weather. Replace your summer annuals with fall ones like mums or pansies. Or, if you have an herb garden, try cilantro or dill. Now is also the time to plant cool-weather vegetables like broccoli, turnips, spinach, and beets. It's also a great time to plant trees and shrubs. You've got more space for them, and the soil is still warm enough for the roots to take hold and get acclimated before the frost comes.
There are plenty of Port Washington homes for sale with space for the garden you've always dreamed of. Contact us if you're ready to make the Long Island area your new home. We'll work to find you a home that meets all of your needs in a neighborhood that you'll love.