Fall is coming - or maybe it is already here for you (shout out to Canadian Love Note readers!) 

While perennials are still above ground and leaves are still on the deciduous plants, it is time for the fall walk-about.

- A picture is worth a thousand words, so take a few of your garden and file them on your computer for reference. I have also sketched some of my planting beds. Thank goodness, because a few hundred spring bulbs were planted last year and a few hundred more are ordered for planting this year. 

- What worked well?  For me, a fall planting of poppies and cornflowers created an amazing, long-lasting spring show. That will happen again this year. You may be happy with this year's plant combinations or your annual colors. 

- What didn't work so well? Note in my calendar - water the blueberries. We had a great fruit set, but small berries because they were developing during a dry spell. So this year's crop fed the birds. Next year I will be more attentive. 

- What's blooming in your garden now? If the answer is nothing, then look around. A stroll through your neighborhood, a public garden or the local garden center can help you discover plants to extend the bloom season. 

- In Georgia, fall is a good time to divide perennials. A few hostas and Solomon's seal can be divided. Damage to the foliage now doesn't matter too much, since the foliage will disappear soon. 

- Another note on the calendar - schedule a tree service consultation for late fall. When the leaves are off the branches, you can see the tree's structure, limbs are not as heavy, and pruning is easier. Lift up lower limbs to open a view, and let in light and air. Take out some trees if they are crowding each other.  In Georgia, January/February is a good time to plant trees. 

- Freshen up your mulch. Natural mulch can help stabilize the soil, refresh the look of your landscape, regulate soil temperature and keep down weeds. Do not put down landscape fabric first - oh, how I could rant about that! 

- Annuals are for fall too! I will always have classic pansies, but I love deer-resistant snapdragons and dianthus. Winters are mild in my Athens. GA, garden, so lettuce and parsley may last for months. I know lettuce is easy to grow from seed, but planting a beautiful selection of lettuce plants is such instant gratification. 

Love,
     Connie

Thank you for subscribing to and reading Love Notes From the Garden. Please share this email with a friend who would enjoy it and tell them that they can subscribe for free at conniecottingham.com. over to Instagram for more garden photos and follow Love Notes From the Garden on Facebook.