Pansies offer a variety of colors, from white, shades of yellows, blues, purples, violets, burgundies, oranges and many other mixed colors.
When gardeners think about adding fall color to the landscape, chrysanthemums usually are the first thing that comes to mind.
Extensive plant breeding programs in recent years, have produced a number of new exceptional varieties of fall blooming plants, some of which could last until spring.
Ornamental cabbages and kale can be attractive alternatives to mums.
Both plants are colorful and long lasting, however ornamental cabbages and kale offer a good growth habit and very nice foliar coloration.
The color will begin to intensify after several days of night temperatures cooler than 50 degrees, at which time the leaves lose chlorophyll and reveal the coloration.
Colors range from white to pink, reds, and purples.
The intensity of the coloration depends on the length of time the plants are exposed to cooler temperatures.
The deep, intense foliage coloration usually begins two to four weeks after planting.
Unlike mums that lose their flowers after the first frost, ornamental cabbages and kale will last until spring if the winter is on the mild side.
Other plant considerations for fall color in the landscape as well as for container planters, are many colorful varieties of celosia, dianthus, ornamental peppers, and snapdragons.
These plants are like mums in that they are long lasting but will fade with the first frost.
The newer varieties and uniqueness of each plant make them a consideration as a mum replacement.
As with ornamental cabbages and kale, pansies and violas plants offer a variety of colors, from white, shades of yellows, blues, purples, violets, burgundies oranges, and many other mixed colors.
Find healthy well-rooted plants, planting them in well-drained soil enriched with compost with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Plant in full sun to partial shade to encourage blooming and growth.
Keep soil consistently moist, especially just after planting, good drainage is important, so avoid soggy locations.
Use a balanced organic fertilizer, such as Espoma’s Flowertone, and use as directed.
You can boost the plants with a liquid fertilizer every-other week to encourage a faster re-blooming.
Remove spent blooms regularly to encourage more flowers and keep the plant looking neat and tidy.
Finally apply a light layer of mulch to retain moisture and help to insulate the roots from the cold, and it also aids in reducing weed competition.
By doing these things most pansies will survive the winter and will continue to provide flowers in early spring.
September is spring bulb planting time.
They are easy to plant, require a minimum of care, and will reward you with beautiful displays of color in the spring.
Good drainage is essential for all spring bulbs, so select a location with no standing water.
Bulbs are heavy feeders, especially of phosphorus and potash.
I suggest using an organic fertilizer such as Bulbtone or Bonemeal, both of which are excellent slow release form of phosphorous and will result in a bigger flower bloom, with more intense color.
When planting be sure that each hole is three times as deep as the bulb is tall, and apply one tablespoon of fertilizer in each hole, before covering the hole with soil.
September is a great time to plant those cold crop vegetables for fall harvesting.
There is still time to sow the seeds of some lettuces and other greens in early September.
They will come up and give you a nice beginning for salads in October and if the weather is mild, maybe even longer.
Also seed root crops like beets, carrots, radish, turnips and parsnips for fall harvesting.
While they may not get as big as they do in the spring, they will be tender and the cooler temperatures allow for a more enjoyable flavor as well.
Consider seeding more of these seeds, as they do over-winter well, just simply cover them with some straw for spring harvesting.
Don’t forget those vegetable plant starters, that are available now.
Selections of different varieties of broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, collards, kale, lettuce and spinach are a great way to jump start your fall vegetable garden, while still being able to harvest these crops up to and even after some frost.
Some of the best tasting broccoli I have ever harvested was in the fall.
There are some cool season herbs that can be planted for harvest and can be used through the fall.
Cilantro germinates quickly, it thrives in cool weather.
The leaves should be harvested before temperatures drop.
Parsley is slower to germinate and may be a better choice to use as a starter plant.
It can survive light frosts and in some cases it can overwinter if mulched well.
Dill is another herb that does well in cooler weather and be planted in early September from seed or from starter plants.
Be sure to harvest the leaves before a heavy frost. Thyme and oregano can be planted from starter plants.
They will produce for fall harvest and sometimes can be over-wintered if mulched properly.
Be sure to plant all vegetables and herbs in areas of at least six hours of sun each day to be productive.
Happy Gardening!
(Editor’s Note: Ken Morgan is the owner of Robin’s Nest Floral and Garden Center in Easton, Md.)
