Before fall began, I found some plants that I had to have in my yard. My first thought was it was too late for anything to get a head start before winter. However, that thinking was completely wrong. After speaking with some experts at my local nursery, I discovered that it’s all right to plant any perennial about a month before the first frost of the season. I even found more evidence on the internet to back up that claim. So, hopefully, the new garden phlox and echinacea will survive and be prolific in the spring.

Even though I absolutely love echinacea, I never tried growing it before now. I can’t wait to see how many butterflies and bees it will attract. Last year, my husband and I planted pink-colored phlox, and we couldn’t get enough. So this year,  some blue (Blue Boy) and red (Peacock Cherry Red) colors were added. Garden phlox are easy to care for and provide bright colors and strong fragrance. While new hybrids claim to be mostly mildew resistant, it is still best to keep good air flow around them.

After flower and bulb planting, I weeded and tidied up the gardens for winterizing. It is important to weed everything one last time before cold temperatures arrive in order to keep spring-cleaning easier. Fall is perfect for mulching and finishing any big garden project. Cooler weather and fewer bugs make this time ideal for really getting things done. I dug deep to get Bermuda grass from in and around the edges of all my beds. While it is not a fun job, I know it will keep the grass at bay when spring comes. I put mulch around my plants to protect them from weeds and the winter cold. Every plant should be ready for showtime when warmer weather returns.

Fall Blooms