In the next few weeks we will be beginning one of the prime gardening times in the Antelope Valley.Once the nighttime temperature levels have actually regularly dropped into the 50s and 60s, we have the best weather condition for your veggie gardens and the majority of your landscape plants. It is likewise the best time to plant a landscape, particularly drought-tolerant and native plants.The air temperature levels are beginning to cool, and the
soil is warm. The warm soil helps the roots to grow rapidly. At the exact same time, the cooler air temperatures decrease the leaf and branch growth. This combination allows the plants to end up being recognized rapidly in your landscape. The daytime temperature levels are still on the hot side, which implies the next few weeks, it is time to plan and prepare your garden and landscape, before actually attempting one or more of the following fall gardening practices. A lot of gardens, especially veggie gardens fail due to poor planning.In a couple weeks, it is time to plant your cool season annual flowers like pansies and stock.
If you plant in mid-October, the weather condition is best for the plants to grow. They will flower for winter season and next spring you will have a great flower program. If you wait too long, the cold temperatures will not enable the plants to develop and bloom for late fall through winter.If you get bulb brochures in the mail, now is the time to order your spring bulbs to be planted out, in late October through early November. If you buy your bulbs from regional nurseries, purchase them as quickly as possible for the very best selection and the freshest bulbs.Remove the bulbs from their packaging and location in damp peat moss, sawdust or potting soil and shop in a cool place, like a fridge. Then plant out the bulbs,
in late October or early November. If you place out bulbs too early, they may get too hot and die. However, it would be much better to plant them instantly, than to keep them in a dry, warm area.On the fruit tree side, nurseries are preparing their bareroot fruit tree order now, so if you have a special tree you need, now is the time to ask.
Your summer vegetables will continue to grow and produce as much as the first frost. Your vegetables might react to a little fertilizer. Fertilize your vegetables with triple 15( 15-15-15)or a similar fertilizer. But not excessive– you do not want the plants to grow
, you wish to produce the last crop of the season.If you desire your tomatoes and peppers to last longer into the winter season, eliminate any natural mulch from around the roots, and set black plastic. This will help keep the soil warm, which keeps your summer veggies producing.You may consider getting rid of some of the tomatoes or squash plants to include a fall and winter garden. Root crops like carrots and beets do fantastic in the fall and early winter. Crops that take longer and might require some protection from early cold temperatures
, include broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Other vegetables that will succeed as a fall garden consist of mustard, spinach, kale, rhubarb, kohlrabi, turnips and parsnips.Most people try to grow some of these veggies as a summertime vegetable, however they like the cooler temperatures of fall and spring. A rule of thumb is if you eat the seed or fruit, it’s a summer season vegetable. If you eat the root or leaves, it is a spring or fall vegetable.It might seem way too early, however
it is time to wrap or rewrap all of your sprinkler valves, hose bibs and other outside water components. It is a long method from freezing temperature levels; nevertheless, it is better to be prepared. We normally think about the very first frost to be Oct. 30 and the first difficult freeze in the middle of November.It is time to decrease nitrogen fertilizer on your roses, fruit trees, lilacs and any other plant that loses their leaves in winter season. They will react to the nitrogen fertilizer, but we desire them to decrease their development and prepare for winter. You can likewise prune off suckers, dead branches and diseased branches on your trees, but you need to wait till late winter season to prune your fruit trees and roses.Fall is a busy time and beginning early is a good concept. If you wait too long, it can be a little cool to work outside. Then you and your garden will not be ready for winter season.