MAINE-LY GARDENING: What’s in the garden? Spring thoughts for fall

by Jude Hsiang

Putting the garden to bed is like sending a toddler off to dreamland. It takes more than a nighty-night kiss.

There are a number of tasks to do, but they needn’t become dreaded chores. Remember, all the little jobs done this fall will be appreciated when spring gardening season begins. You’ll thank yourself for doing a good clearing of the vegetable garden so that no diseased plant material is left over winter. And you’ll be very glad that unwelcome critters didn’t set up winter housekeeping in a tangle of dead plants, roots, and supporting materials, like stakes, strings, and netting. If you compost, you might consider cutting the bigger, tougher roots off the plants, because they can take years to decompose, and adding them to the brush pile. A brush pile – when there’s room for one – makes good winter quarters for small animals and shelter for birds. These nicer neighbors will appreciate protection from predators and may include seeds, twigs, and other plant materials they like to eat.

How did the vegetable garden grow? Some crops were better than expected, and some were poor performers, so it’s a good idea to make some notes for next year. We can’t predict next year’s weather or ever expect to win an argument with Mother Nature, but we can plan and hope for the best. Make a wish list of seeds and plants to shop for. It won’t be long before our mail and email boxes will be filled with tempting catalogs. It’s easy to go over budget, and just as easy to forget to buy seeds for a newly-discovered favorite. Some seeds and plants will be in short supply. It’s frustrating to go to the store and find they’re sold out or to place a “mail order” for one packet of seeds, then paying the cost of shipping that may be two or three times as much as the price of that little pack of seeds.

Take some time to clean garden tools before putting them away. Sharpen any that need it and replace any that are no longer up to the job. Maybe you can find good replacements on sale at a garden center or hardware store. The store saves storage space, you save money, and you’ll have the tools you need on hand next spring. Don’t forget to check out yard sales or your transfer station’s “swap shop” for the best deals! And there’s the wish list again; it’s not too early to hope that Santa might tuck new garden gloves in your stocking.

While working outside, take an occasional break, admire the fall foliage, and think about spring color. You may be adding some spring-flowering bulbs as well as pulling out the remains of the annual flowers. Make note of what you liked, what was a disappointment, and what you might like to add next year. Take a few photos. Even if the garden isn’t at its prettiest now, they’ll help you remember where you’d like to see more red or yellow or purple flowers next year. Would another shrub fit nicely? You might make a map – a great project to do with the kids. Depending on their ages and imaginations, next year’s garden may include a fairy house, pirate hideaway, or dragon’s lair.

© Judith Chute Hsiang
Jude Hsiang Is a retired Extension Master Gardener instructor and member of the China Community Garden.