Can you believe it’s Fall already?! This year has been so “interesting” in Detroit, Michigan to say the least. Sometimes it feels like time is standing still and others, like it’s flying by. Hopefully you were able to turn to gardening in Detroit for refuge and as a cheap form of therapy.
September is one of those months that have a lot more going on than it gets credit for. September marks the beginning of the school year in Detroit as well as the time when we start getting ready for those super cold winter months! For Detroit, Michigan gardeners, it means cleaning out pots, planting winter gardens, planting bulbs, and bringing in plants and bulbs that can’t overwinter.
Fall Prep for Your Detroit Michigan Garden
I’m starting on my list of fall gardening in Detroit chores by bringing in my Amaryllis bulbs. Amaryllis are in most demand during the Christmas season because that is when they bloom. Often you find them packaged for gifts, dipped in wax, and forced in very creative ways. Amaryllis produce flower stakes during this season and gives us three or more marvelous blooms.
On the Gardener’s Supply website, we found a waxed
Amaryllis bulb, attached to a hanging mechanism.
This is done so that in could grow upside down.
This is another waxed one sold by Gardener’s Supply.
If you are like me, and keep your Amaryllis after it was done blooming. You probably have them planted and happily growing somewhere in your garden. September is the time to bring them in for storing. Stored to be brought out again in December in time to put on their show.
At this point in the year, I clean out my beds and pots removing the weeds that have snuck in and preparing areas for my winter crop. This year, I am going to do Kale and other salad greens. Good plants for the fall are lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, celery, carrots, and everything cool loving.
When trimming things around the yard, remember to keep some items to use in your fall and winter décor. Spent Hydrangea blooms look great in fall arrangements. Other things to keep are corn stalks, interesting twigs and branches, and pine cones.
If possible, hold off on cutting back perennials until later in the Fall this way, birds and pollinators are able to enjoy them a little longer. If you have plants still producing, take out newer fruit that may not make it before winter hits to allow the plant to concentrate energy elsewhere. Producing plants can be covered with popup garden tents or shade cloths.
Garden Beds
For garden beds, once you’ve cleaned them, to protect the remaining plants and bulbs, you can apply a generous layer of mulch. Plants growing in pots can be brought inside for the winter. Specially if you are one of the lucky people with a green house or sunroom. Some gardeners don’t cut back or trim until after winter to protect the base of the plant from freezing. Another tip I’ve tried is to water plants prior to a predicted freeze. The idea is that if the cells are full of water, they don’t get as damaged.
Fall Planting
Planting happens in the Fall too. I like mums! Mums come in so many different colors and the blooms last quite a bit. The mum plant itself screams Autumn to me. Fall is also the time to plant your fall planted bulbs. If you love the feeling you get in the spring when it’s still a bit cold but bright blooms are popping up to let you know that better weather is coming, plant some fall planted bulbs! There are so many ways and companies providing products and information on Fall planted bulbs.
Some that don’t disappoint are Freesias and Daffodils. These are the first two that pop up in my garden. Other fall planted bulbs are Crocus, Allium, Fritillaria, Scilla, Tulips, Dwarf Iris and many more. Depending on where you live soil prep may be needed. Bulbs may rot in clay like soil and in areas with in appropriate drainage.
Lawn Care and Gardening in Detroit: Winter Prep
As for your lawn, if you have chosen the right type for your growing it should survive whatever winter throws at them. Fall is your last feeding for the year. Feed your lawn in the fall, between August and November to give it the strength it will need in order to survive the cold and rain. Another great thing to do before Winter time is to aerate your lawn. Aerating your lawn gives it a chance to get some air before it goes dormant.
Try to finish all other maintenance projects you may have around pending around the yard such as repairing fences, decking, patios, etc. It is a great time mostly because it is not super-hot outside making it more comfortable for you to work and get things done.. Also, because there are products that have a maximum allowed temperature to work.
Schedule a free estimate and let us know how Geney House Cleaning and Lawn Care in Detroit, Michigan can help you cross off your "To Do’s."
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