October... Bulbs, Fall Color & Lawn T-L-C

Much of the Northwest is ideal for bulb growing, and now's the time to plant all those varieties that will grace your yard with beautiful color next spring. Plus, there are plenty of other good gardening reasons to be out in your yard enjoying these crisp fall days. Here's a sampling:

• It's bulb planting time. Fall gardening isn't complete until you've planted your spring-flowering bulbs. Sunny daffodils, cheery tulips and stately iris are just the beginning of your choices. At your Fred Meyer Garden Center, you'll find dozens of varieties of these standbys plus hyacinth, crocus, and many "specialty" bulbs. Come pick up some of your favorites plus several new varieties to try.
• You'll want to visit the Garden Center pretty early this season to take advantage of the best selection of varieties and healthiest bulbs. (If you're unable to plant right away, store your new bulbs in a dark, cool, dry place, and give them optimum circulation.)
• For more help with bulbs, click into Bulb Basics, Bulb Planting Tips and Bulbs in Deck Pots.
• Start forcing bulbs early this month for the holidays. If you want pots of flowering bulbs to decorate with or give away this holiday season, now's about the time to start the process. Click for bulb forcing tips and recommendations of the best varieties to try.
• Color for your fall garden… Pansies and Mums are wonderful for fall color as they love our cool, rainy Northwest climate. Pansies are very hardy and underrated by many gardeners. Plant them in deck pots or right over the bulb beds you're also planting now. Mums offer a striking fall display, especially when you plant them in round groups of a single color. Flowering Kale and Cabbage offer some vibrant color for fall's gray days. In fact, the cooler it gets the more intense their colors get! For more, check out Welcoming Looks For Your Entryway .
• Fall's an important time for Lawn T-L-C. It's probably the largest "plant" in your yard, and a little lawn maintenance now will pay off in a beautiful start next year. Here are the 4 basics (for more, click into Fall Lawn Care Tips):
• Remove weeds. Left unchecked, weeds will go to seed now and hundreds more can pop up next spring.
• Remove thatch. You can do this by renting a power rake, raking vigorously by hand, or applying a liquid de-thatcher.
• Over-seed your entire lawn. This introduces healthy blends of grass seed at the best time of year for new growth. Ensure the seed has contact to bare soil and water regularly until the grass has been mowed 2-3 times.
• Fertilize. Experts consider a fall feeding the most important one for the year , ensuring nourishment before that "long winter's nap." Apply a fall/winter lawn food about a week after over-seeding. If moss is a problem, choose a fertilizer with iron.
• Flush sprinkler & drip systems. When you're done with watering chores, do a little system maintenance to help ensure things flow well next spring. Remove end caps and flush out the lines. If some or all of your system is above ground, empty out any standing water and store it in a dry place for winter. Same with your hoses and sprinkler attachments.
• Return houseplants to their indoor spots. If some of your prize houseplants have been summering outdoors, it's time to bring them back in. Hose and dust them off, then check for any stowaway insects. Clip off dead or damaged foliage, and break up the surface soil if it's hardened. Be sure to give your plants a good drink of water after moving them indoors.

See you out in the yard!

While much of the information in these tips is applicable in several gardening zones/climates, some of the plants and timing suggested are best suited to the Northwest, generally in the mild/wet growing regions found along the I-5 corridor. You should make appropriate adjustments or consult local gardening experts in regions whose climates differ from this area of the Northwest.