The Best Time of Year is Now

When I was a kid I loved summer – no school, warm sunshine and lots of fun and mischief to get into. Now that I’m a dad, my seasons have also matured. Over the years, I have come to enjoy all the offerings of fall. The cool, crisp mornings that give way to warm days and starry nights. Fall color in the Northwest is exceptional with the turning of leaves on trees - colors so vivid and alive that they jump out of the landscape. Driving past the fields of orange pumpkins that drift on forever instilling kids with the excitement of Halloween candy yet to come. The yummy goodness of eating sweet grapes fresh off the vine and juicy apples plucked from the trees. And of course, college football begins again.

 

There is no better time of year than this abundant season to catch your bearings, reevaluate the year, enjoy the harvest and relax. It is also the best time to take a few moments to invest in your home. There are many simple tasks you can do now that save you time in the spring when you are twice as busy.

 

Fall in the Northwest is the ideal time of year to plant all kinds of things from cool-season vegetables to turf grasses, and especially perennials and evergreen or deciduous trees and shrubs. Yet, when it comes to planting, many gardeners only think of the spring. Why is fall such an ideal time to plant? First, the warm soil in the fall helps encourage root growth. The roots continue to grow through our mild winters becoming well established by the spring. This makes fall plantings much better equipped to handle the heat and drought once summer finally arrives. Plus our fall, winter and spring rains help do all the work in establishing your plants so you don’t have too. There are also fewer pests and disease problems to attack your plant while it is young.

 

When fall arrives I want to see bright oranges, vibrant yellows, and fiery reds. These fall colors bring life back to our landscapes after the summer sun has faded most of the blooms. The natural turning of leaves into their disguised colors of glory brings a new energy to our yards and awakens our senses.  Right now you can find selections of trees, shrubs and perennials that have been specifically bred for fall color. There is no reason to have hum-drum containers during fall when there are Garden Mums and Fall/Winter Pansies to replace our burnt out summer annuals. [Check out our Fall Collection of Perennials, Hardy Annuals, Trees and Shrubs.]  

 

One of the best kept secrets to the most lavish landscapes is autumn restoration. Just a few garden chores done in the fall will lead to spring and summer pay-offs that are well worth the work. Things to do now include: