Parade of Homes featuring the best of new homes in Manitoba, Canada
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/161409
Green Thumb Prepare your garden for a spring awakening Fall is the time to plant tulip, daffodil, crocus and allium bulbs if you want to enjoy the first flowers of spring. >> April showers bring May flowers, but not if you forget to plant them. Fall is the time to plant tulip, daffodil, crocus and allium bulbs if you want to enjoy the first flowers of spring. "Most people forget about the fall bulbs," says Ken Land, co-owner of St. Mary's Nursery and Garden Centre. "A lot of people come in and want to try and get tulips in the springtime or allium in the springtime." Those people may be out of luck, but there are many ways to boost your garden's flower power before the snow flies. Land says this is a good time to divide overgrown perennials, and there are some advantages to planting hardy new perennials in the fall. The ground is warmer than it is in early spring, so they tend to develop roots at a faster rate, and cool nights mean they'll need less water to thrive. Hardy hosta and daylilies are good candidates for fall planting. As the weather turns cold, treat them like any other perennial: Cut them down to just above ground level and, if they need protection, cover them with flax straw. Land says some trees should only be pruned in fall — maple and birch trees, for example — and it's a good time to apply an organic treatment to deal with overwintering insects and diseases. Evergreens should get a thorough watering just before freeze-up and young evergreens need protection from winter winds. A burlap box will do the trick. Drive stakes into the ground while it's still soft and attach burlap once the ground freezes. The burlap shouldn't touch the needles, and you don't want to attach it too soon since it will trap heat. If you don't like the look of burlap, Land says you can apply a protective coating such as Wilt Pruf. Annual gardens should be turned over in the fall. Work in soil amendments such as compost or peat moss, and once the job is done, be sure to clean and sharpen your tools before you put them away for the winter. They'll last longer, and digging is a lot easier with a sharp shovel. And finally, prepare your containers for holiday arrangements, or spruce them up for fall with ornamental kale, grasses and Chinese lanterns, which produce orange pods. They'll give your yard a pop of colour and add curb appeal to your home well into the winter. VALUE Our members possess the highest degree of skill and professionalism in the home building and renovations industry, providing you with peace of mind. homebuilders.mb.ca 102 Parade of Homes Fall 2013