Fire in the Garden

Now that the soaking rains have drenched many of our gardens, clean-up awaits us. It’s time to put the real fire out. Unfortunately, unwanted critters (voles and turkeys in particular) have made themselves welcome amongst the weeds and overgrowth.

So it’s time to take this garden over, weed by weed, critter by critter and make a dent in the perennial beds that show more crabgrass and ragweed than any other species. With the weather turning a bit cooler, this is the season to get your garden prepared for its second yet final growth period. It’s not too late, even though the tasks feel cumbersome and overwhelming. So here are a few quick tips to help you reclaim your garden territory.

1) If you have signs of voles, make them feel unwelcome. Before these critters become too comfortable taking up winter residency, research some of the repellents on the market and decide which ones suit your fancy. There are a few sonic gizmos to buzzer types that annoy them, making them leave. Do it now. Regarding the turkeys, Border Collies come in handy.

2) If Crabgrass annoys you, there is not much left to its growth cycle. Crabgrass is an annual, warm season weed. Earlier in the season, this prolific seeder is more difficult to eradicate. As it matures, chemicals are more effective. If you want to bomb the grass, this is the season.

3) Don’t forget to check for any signs of diseases. Right now, I need to figure out whether we have fire blight on a rose bush and one of our apple trees. Even if you only walk through your garden with good intentions of clean-up, keeping your eyes open to diseases and problem plants is extremely important. Make some effort to get out there when the weather clears and start chipping away at your garden chores.

Please post what is on your list of things to do in the garden and if you have any questions, don’t forget to send your comments. George Bernard Shaw gives us that extra oomph to make some time for tidying up our gardens. “Better keep yourself clean and bright. You are the window through which you must see the world.”
Image of Turkeys from the Internet