Fall is here in full force...are your gardens ready?

Image by Cedar Grove Composting via Flickr

Have you ever driven up to your house and realized your flower beds have changed seasons without you? I had that lovely epiphany on Sunday. I looked around my yard and all my beautiful summer flowers were spent, my trees are turning colors, and my lawn looks tired!
 

How I could let this happen in the span of a few short weeks? To remedy my malaise with these withering blossoms, I pulled the cover off my pile of Cedar Grove's NW Garden Mulch and then drove to my neighborhood garden center. Right now you can find a lot of great fall colors and summer stock was on clearance (I got a dahlia for $2.50 that I would have paid triple for earlier in the year!). I replaced my summer containers with vibrant mums and purple asters. Another great pick up is the new ruffled winter pansies, lime green heuchera, and purple plume grass.

After planting my new plants and putting a good 3" layer of the NW Garden Mulch down around my plants, my landscape looks like a shiny penny!!

Now for my lawn. I picked up 1/2 yard of Cedar Grove Compost and raked it into my lawn, check out our how-to video on You Tube. I covered the grass and then raked vigorously until I could still see the blades of my grass. Now all I have to wait for is Mother Nature to take over and work it in. The grass will stay healthy through the fall and come back lush and green next spring.

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Remember: Fall is the second gardening season. Stay tuned for our next blog post when we talk about bulb planting season and dividing your plants before winter!

Got the Summer Garden Blues?

Image by Cedar Grove Composting via Flickr

At this time of year I find myself re-thinking my gardens.  Either I'm bored looking at my spring design or all my annuals are done for the season.  So it's time to put on the gardening thinking cap and make my summer garden glow!

July and August seem to be the perfect time to re-evaluate the early spring containers that once were full and  add more color with annuals.  Check your local nurseries with what they in stock.  Start an herb garden, they have starts at all the local garden spots.  Also don't forget the importance of a soaker hose!

Garden art also perks up the gardens. Visit local farmers markets or Sunday markets.  The local art scene usually has some awesome garden art for a great price.  And with the changing of the seasons you can find great deals at your garden centers as well. 

Don't forget about the late season perennials too.  Lift your spirits with a Dahlia, Peony, Mum or Aster.   Dahlias come in all shapes, sizes and colors;  they make a beautiful cut flower bouquet for that late summer dinner outside :)  (Just don't forget your citronella candles)

It's almost time to start mulching your flower beds for winter.  August isn't too early to get started!  You can use Cedar Grove Compost or NW Garden Mulch and really make your new colors pop. 

Spring, Summer, and fall all have their bright spots and lulls and being prepared for each makes gardening more fun and relaxing.