Red Rock On Air

By JoAnn Lindstrom
University of Minnesota Extension Pine County Master Gardener

Fall is the time when we look at our gardens, think about preparing them for winter, divide and transplant those that have grown too large or spread too wide. It’s a good time to move plants that are in the wrong place based on size, flower color, or bloom time. And it’s also a time to assess the garden for changes and additions. Often garden clubs have plant sales at this time of year and many nurseries have sales on perennials, as well.

September is a great time to plant new perennials, as well as moving old ones, because they should have sufficient time to establish a good root system before frost and winter comes.

JoAnn Lindstrom

The soil needs to be prepared just as you would for spring planting. Make sure to add plenty of organic matter and some slow release fertilizer to the soil, but do not put fertilizer directly in the planting hole as this could cause unwanted new growth which could weaken the plant for over wintering.

Water plants well before you plant them if they are in dry containers. Tease apart the root mass if the plants are pot-bound. After planting, water well (remember no fertilizer) and spread a couple of inches of mulch around them, being sure to keep the mulch away from the stems of the plants.

Many kinds of mulch can be used such as woodchips, shredded bark, cocoa bean hulls, chipped leaves, pine straw, straw or dried grass clippings. The usual kind of mulch you use on the rest of your garden should be fine.

Be sure to keep the new plantings and transplants watered well. Do not fertilize. As the weather gets cooler, or if there is ample rain, water less frequently. When the soil begins to freeze, usually sometime in November, cover the plants with additional mulch. The best mulch for this purpose would be four to six inches of straw or marsh hay. Leaves can also be used, but then rake ten to twelve inches over the plants, as leaves have a tendency to pack down and lose their insulating effectiveness. Straw and hay have hollow stems so they don’t pack down like the leaves. Hopefully, during the winter there will be enough snowfall to further insulate the new plants. After some fall work, you can enjoy your efforts in the spring!

Information for this article is from Deb Brown, Retired University of Minnesota Extension Horticulturist, RC Gardens fact sheet and “Perennials for Minnesota and Wisconsin” by Don Engebretson and Don Williamson.

For more information, contact the Pine County Extension office Master Gardener Line at 800-657-3813 Ext. #3.