Fig's Garden Tips

SEPTEMBER IN THE GARDEN:

The Mid-Atlantic garden is usually quite robust by September. Bedding annuals have grown to unanticipated sizes. Tall perennials that may have missed a mid-season chop or an earlier staking have now begun to flop. Some weed pressure has lessened while other garden villains are now threatening us with seeds. We are definitely headed for autumn. Below are a few tips that may help us better prepare for the coming months and also the subsequent growing season.

GRATEFUL FOR DEADHEADS

While deadheading early in the year is usually an unabashed attempt at prolonging bloom, this time of year is marked with additional questions. For one, the cuts we make now could determine what, if anything, we are left with for winter structure. Remember that spent blooms leave behind fruit and seeds. These structures not only look great in the winter, but they also feed migrating birds and determine how much of a perennial will re-seed in a given border.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY YOUR BULBS!

Bulbs are technically on sale much earlier than September. Availabilities are good at this point. Rather than substituting your bulbs later in the season, get the selections you really want now. The growers will ensure that they are shipped to you at an appropriate time for installation. If you can’t decide what varieties to plant, try one of our two new custom spring-blooming bulb mixes, available in our online marketplace at cylburnmarket.org

SPEND TIME IN SOMEONE ELSE’S GARDEN

With gardens looking full and most of the growing season in close memory, exploring other gardens is a great way to both see gardens at their best and also think most critically about your own garden and next years’ improvements. You might enjoy the garden tours offered through our recently launched Cylburn Garden Club. The club is free to members of Cylburn Arboretum Friends, but you need to sign up by sending an email to cylburnfriends@cylburn.org.