Date 10/23/2003

	Heavy frosts will be occurring in the latter part of this month or 
early next month. These will cause a lot more damage to the tender plants 
than the scattered light frosts we have had so far. As the annual plants die 
remove them from the garden and add them to the compost pile. The perennials 

will also be dying back from the freezing temperatures. 

After their foliage has died to the ground cut them back. Cut them to within 
a couple of inches from the ground. That way you will know their location 
for future planting and dividing.

Good garden clean-up is important for a healthy garden next spring. 
Dead 
and diseased plants should be removed now to prevent spread of disease 
in future seasons. Weeds should also be pulled out, preferably before 
their seeds ripen, to prevent a bumper crop next year.

Although garden clean-up is important it is not necessary for it to be 
spotless. Beneficial insects need places to spend the winter. They can 
survive in clumps of dried dead weeds and perennials. Birds will also 
appreciate ripened seed heads from many species of perennials. Those in 
the composite family are particular favorites. Asters, black-eyed 
susans 
and coneflowers are all part of this family. Leave some of these plants 
to stand until spring for the birds. Having dead weeds in the garden 
isn’t particularly attractive, but a small section or out of sight 
corner left untidy could be the perfect spot for those ladybugs to 
over-winter.

Keep fallen leaves cleaned up off the lawn. Leaving deep leaf cover on 
the grass can damage the lawn. Use the leaves to make mulch or compost. 
Shredded leaves are good mulch around roses, shrubs and perennials. Run 
the lawn mower over them a couple of times to shred them or put them 
through a chipper-shreader. A combination of grass clippings and 
shredded leaves makes good mulch over vegetable beds. In the spring the 
decomposed mulch can be tilled under as compost. Shredded leaves break 
down faster in the compost pile adding a good portion of brown material 
to the mix.

It is important to remember to keep new trees and shrubs watered 
throughout the fall. Even though the weather is no longer hot the soil 
can get dry after a week or two without rain. These plants need to be 
prepared for winter. Adequate irrigation is needed to get them through 
the winter months. Continue watering in absence of rain up until the 
ground freezes. The ground usually freezes in late December or early 
January in this area.

Tree and shrub planting should be finished at the end of the month. 
Spring-flowering bulbs can be planted now and up until the ground 
freezes. But the sooner the better, before they dry out. Some 
perennials 
can still be planted, especially the ornamental grasses. Most of them 
can be planted as late as a month before the ground freezes. Their 
dried 
foliage is nice for winter interest in the garden.

If you have a Christmas cactus that you would like to have bloom for 
the 
holidays, give it a rest now. Keep it in a cool room away from bright 
light and water sparingly. They begin to set flower buds when the day 
length goes down to twelve hours. Cool night temperatures (60 degrees 
or 
less) help to trigger their bud set. Provided with these conditions the 
plant can be brought into bloom at almost any time of the year. That is 
why you sometimes have these plants blooming at times other than 
Thanksgiving or Christmas. Avoid moving the plant during bud set, it 
can 
cause premature bud drop. They are also sensitive to drafts. About a 
month from now bring the plant out for holiday bloom. Keep it in bright 
light and water when the soil dries out. The Christmas cactus is a 
succulent plant that will not take kindly to over-watering.

Other holiday plants that need some preparation time in order to bloom 
for the holidays are paperwhite narcissus and amaryllis. Bulbs for both 
of these holiday favorites are available in garden centers now. 
Purchase 
them now to start them in time for the holidays. They can also be kept 
dormant and started later for mid-winter bloom. Combined with an 
attractive container they make excellent gifts for even the novice 
gardener.

Beth Nardone, botanist, is a resident of Hillsborough and is the 
Nursery 
Manager at the Belle Mead Co-Op. Questions and comments can be sent to 
bethtanical@patmedia.net