4 Suggestions that cut back on September’s tasks in the garden
“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” (Anon.)
Yes, radical as it may sound, I’m recommending we gardeners ease up this fall, do rather less than more work as our gardens begin to close down in preparation for winter. I’m calling this the Leave It Alone fall gardening plan.
To implement this approach to autumn gardening tasks, let me offer you 4 ways to lessen your chores and enjoy your garden even more. Less can, indeed, be more.
1. Rake less
2. Create more brush piles
3. Leave ’em high,
4. Drinks all around (water, of course)
If you have a gardening service, you may want to caution them to ease up on their over-zealous tidying of your garden. If you have a gardener, she/he may already understand the value of minimalist fall clean-up, and only need your approval. Of course, if the clean-up tasks in the fall are all yours, I’m confident you’ll appreciate this revised plan.
1. Falling Leaves
First, step away from that rake.
Not completely, of course, but reconsider how you dispose of the leaves that tumble into your garden. Dead leaves can provide a pretty, warm layer of protection for the plants and shrubs that must ride out the long months of winter. Rake the leaves, preferably mulched, onto the flower beds, arrange them around the plants, and let those piles of leaves settle into place. When the rains come, the leaf blanket will hold the moisture around the roots and keep the soil from eroding. (More on this in the fourth part of the Lazy Gardener’s Fall Clean-Up Plan.) As you prepare the leaves, try to break down or mulch them so they’re a finer blanket and can more effectively serve their purposes.
2. Brush Piles
Pile ’em up!
As you know, fall is a perfect time for pruning shrubs and trimming trees. Add to those branches the detritus that falls from the trees during the winds and storms of September and October. Depending on the availability of open spaces in your garden, use those branches to create brush piles. Think of the work of American sculptor Patrick Dougherty. You may have seen his sculpture, “Old Home Place,” on the grounds of Maryland Hall in Annapolis. That sculpture may be larger than the brush piles you’ll fashion, but who knows, your creativity may lead you to build an imaginative brush sculpture. Once built, these brush piles will collect leaves and, eventually, snow among the branches—natural snow fences for those of us who have larger lawns and open spaces. More important will be the shelter these piles give to all kinds of creatures—lizards, frogs, chipmunks, rabbits, even bumble bees will find safety under these branches and twigs when winter winds blow cold.
One final benefit alluded to when I mentioned Dougherty’s sculptures. These naturalist piles of twigs will add a certain mystery and natural artistry to your winter garden.
3. Leave ‘em High
Instead of chopping off your asters, mums, and dahlias, let the dying plant stems stand tall. One advantage is the potential re-seeding that can occur as the last blossoms droop and seeds fall to the ground—soon covered by a warming, moist blanket of leaves. These tall, drying stems will also help weave the blanket of leaves and snow that protect the roots and dormant seed.
Additionally, as much as 25 percent of native bees hibernate in cavities in these friendly garden standing stems. Finally, as the earth settles into winter, these tall forms against the flattened garden will add a touch of elegance and artistry. If you’re wondering when is the right time to cut back these stems, most horticulturalists recommend patience until the spring soil temperatures are regularly around 50°F.
4. Drinks All Around
Perhaps, like me, you’ve noticed an increase in the dying conifers in our neighborhoods—those tall and once elegant pines, firs, and spruce. One likely cause is, no surprise, the rising temperatures. Conifers need sufficient water, particularly in the fall. Without well-watered roots they’ll turn brown and die—it seems overnight! Once you’ve collected the blanket of leaves and left some of nature’s standing foliage and brush piles, you’re ready to give your garden and lawn a deep watering. Don’t rush. There’s lots of time. Rather than turning on your entire sprinkler system, you might simply arrange a hose in a particular flowerbed or under your small grove of trees. Set a timer, and let those roots enjoy a long, deep drink. (Sometimes I imagine I can hear the roots of my holly sigh with pleasure when I do this late-season watering.)
A Few Other September Suggestions
- If you have a pond, spread netting over the water. (I use the tall shepherd hooks to support the netting.) This will keep most of the leaves from falling into the water. But leave 3–4 inches of opening between the netting and the ground so birds and small critters can slip under the netting and get to the water.
- If you feed the birds, now’s the time to clean the feeders and dump old nests out of your birdhouses. (Wear a mask and gloves. The dust can be nasty.)
- Re-examine the placement of your birdhouses. Consider whether there is sufficient shade in summer to keep the hatchlings cool. Is the opening away from prevailing winds and rain? You may want to move or replace some of your birdhouses in preparation for new nests in the spring.
Our gardens can do their part to improve the environment by:
- Filtering rainwater through the stable, secure garden soil.
- Provide habitat for small creatures, particularly the pollinators.
- Reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
- Feed us all: humans, birds, animals, and insects.
