A GROWING CONCERN: Don’t let autumn catch you slacking

WELL, CAN YOU imagine that? We are well into both autumn and October.

The harvest moon is already waning.

Dew is wet and heavy. Dampness fills the morning air.

The rain, heavy of late, re-hydrates our arid dry soils.

This moisture also occurred at the most opportune moment, early enough to help re-hydrate plants and soil before they were to go dormant and severely dry.

I was thinking of this while driving back from Lake Crescent early on a marvelous Indian summer day.

The strata of fog created by the early sun as it shined through the branches along scenic state Highway 101 and the surrounding hues of the big maples contrast to this idyllic scene.

The autumn trees are so beautiful, they got me to thinking how poor of a job I may have done the last several weeks in conveying just how ideal this time of year is for many a garden chore.

Planting time

Let me make it abundantly clear — plant, plant, plant, buy, plant, transplant, divide, transplant some more, go to the store, plant again and germinate seeds… Repeat. Got it?

Plant away like little automated excavators, because of all the places in the country to be, this is the most perfect, mild, forgiving, nourishing and automatic irrigation area to be in.

Right now, the natural cycle of bi-annuals (plants that live 2 years) and perennials (plants that live 3 years or more) are to root in.

Soil temperatures on the North Olympic Peninsula are such that these plants will grow new roots very well for the next several months.

Also, the hundreds of successive rainfalls we will have from now until next summer will gently and firmly close in around the freshly-planted items.

If this wasn’t enough, our springs come slow and regular, showing no outrageous temperature spikes.

This means your new or moved plants will start spring with an already developed root system absent of shock.

These will break out next spring as though they have been there for years. Pretty cool, huh?

Speaking of cool, that is precisely why you seed new lawns, or over-seed existing turf, this month.

Many of the weed seeds fail to germinate in our falling temperatures — but grass germinates all year.

At the end of this month work up your bare spots, bad areas or newly leveled front yard and sow away.

Up comes the grass seeds, gone are the weeds and Mother Nature will pick up the watering bill for you.

This trick also works for most wildflower and perennial seeds, but please be careful not to get mixes with noxious weed seed — most do.

With all that said, here is your list of things that should be planted now:

1. Absolutely a fall foliage tree, bush or shrub. They are gorgeously displaying themselves for you now.

2. Grass seed, sod and wildflower seed.

3. All trees, bushes and shrubs.

4. Perennials, ground covers, roses, woody ornamentals, ivies, peonies and such.

5. Grapes, berries, strawberries and edible fruits or nuts.

6. Cover crops, pasture mixes, clover and rye, etc.

7. Vines, grasses, clematis, kale, cabbage, pansies and violas.

Ideal climatic conditions are here on the Olympic Peninsula.

On a final note, as you walk around your yard looking for ideal spots that could be planted anew, be on the lookout for drying flowers.

The dew and moisture, coupled with shorter grey days means the falling petals will rot away the foliage. Remove old flowers ASAP.

However you move around … stay well all!

________

Andrew May is a freelance writer and ornamental horticulturist who dreams of having Clallam and Jefferson counties nationally recognized as “Flower Peninsula USA.” Send him questions c/o Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362, or email news@peninsuladailynews.com (subject line: Andrew May).

More in Life

Contestants for the 130rd Sequim Irrigation Festival’s royalty court include, from left, Roxy Woods, Glenna Cary, Lily Tjemsland, Malachi Byrne and Joanna Morales. The pageant will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Sequim High School’s auditorium. (Keith Ross, Keith’s Frame of Mind)
Five candidates set for Irrigation Festival royalty

Creative displays, QA featured on Saturday

A GROWING CONCERN: Dig this dozen garden must-haves

AS WE MOVE closer to the first days of spring, and thus… Continue reading

Shay Christensen, owner of the Pink Pony Café in downtown Port Angeles, creates a designer crepe. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles creperie using 100-year-old recipe

Business has changed hands, but taste keeps customers coming back

ISSUES OF FAITH: Remember to keep love in your hearts

IN FEBRUARY 1995, Brigham Young University hosted a Valentine’s dance with a… Continue reading

Shape Note Concert set in Port Townsend

Danny Barnes will present a Shape Note Concert at… Continue reading

GriefShare classes offered to community

Independent Bible Church will host GriefShare at 10 a.m.… Continue reading

Sunday program set for OUUF

Julia McKenna Blessing will present “All You Need is… Continue reading

Rev. Bill Evans
Speaker scheduled for Sunday service at Unity in Olympics

The Rev. William Evans will present “Beyond Love” at… Continue reading

PLAL Aritist of the Month - Ruby Beach and Destruction Island by Steve Deligan
Port Ludlow Arts League to host artist reception

The Port Ludlow Art League will host a reception… Continue reading

Photos by Katie Newton-Salmon
2024 Sequim and Port Angeles Equestrian teams got off to a great start during its first WAHSET competition, bringing home where they brought home nine first place wins. Top row from left: Katelynn Sharpe, Kennedy Gilbertson, Savanah Boulton, Celbie Karjalainen, Asha Swanberg
Bottom row left: Coach Misty Gilbertson, PA member Olivia West, Kenzie Winters, Lilly Meyer, Joanna Seelye, Taylor Lewis, Kiaja Johnson, Paisley Morris, PA member Zakara Braun, and coach Ady Crosby. Not pictured non-competing member Paige Reed and advisor Katie Newton.
HORSEPLAY: First high school equestrian event of the year for Sequim

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL’S equestrian team had a “great first meet,” said coach… Continue reading

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Sequim Ballroom intern Brie Rocha follows instructor Werner Figar’s lead as he keeps an eye on his intermediate/advanced swing class.
Dancers work on moves during classes at Sequim schoolhouse

Beginners, intermediate students learn variety of ballroom styles