Transcript Humber Arboretum - Etobicoke Master Gardeners

Putting Your Garden
To Sleep!
Prepared by:
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
Presented at:
Humber Arboretum
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
Humber Arboretum
www.humberarboretum.on.ca
1
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
2
•
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
3
Session Topics
 Lawns
 Annuals
 Bulbs
 Roses
 Rhododendrons
 Trees,
 Vines
 Veggie
& Perennials
Shrubs & Evergreens
& Herb Gardens
 Cuttings
& Seed Saving  Soil Improvement
 General Cleanup
 Cleaning Tools
 Winterizing Container  Evaluate Your Garden
Pots
 Let’s go for a walk!
 Water Gardens
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
4
Putting the
garden to bed
for the winter
is an annual
necessity!
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
5
Lawns
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
6
Lawns
 Keep
cutting & watering
 Fertilize
with low nitrogen,
high potash product
 Aerate
if thatch is more than
1\2 inch
 Seed
any bare or thin spots
 Keep
it clean by raking up
leaves
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
7
Perennials
 Cut
back now or in the
spring??
 Divide\transplant
 Label\mark plants
 Dig
up tender perennials to
over winter
 Mulch
beds for winter
protection
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
8
Annuals
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
9
Annuals

Remove and compost
annuals

Do not remove all annuals,
some are tender perennials
and may survive a mild
winter

Some annuals can be overwintered indoors

Lift tender bulbs such as
dahlias, tuberous begonias
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
10
Bulbs
 Now
is the time to plant spring-flowering
bulbs
 Available
in a wide range of shapes and
colours
 Provides
the first sign of spring in your
garden
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
11
Bulbs
 Where
 How
to plant your bulbs for best impact
to plant bulbs
 Some
tips for discouraging pests
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
12
Roses

After the ground has frozen, hill up the soil to cover the crown where
the graft is located.

Use friable soil left over from an annual basket or retained in a warm
place.

Cover with more soil, damp sawdust, leaves or hay

Do not use manure or compost

Hybrid tea, floribunda and grandiflora roses

cut back to about 18″ to avoid wind damage and possible upheaval
of roots in strong winds.

All shrub roses including David Austin roses can be cut back to about
2 or 3 feet

Climbing roses, secure or remove branches to avoid possible wind
damage.
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
13
Rhododendrons

Why rhododendrons require winter protection.
Sensitive to:
 Very
 Sun
 How
low temperatures
and wind which can dry out their leaves
to prepare them for the winter
 Water
 Cover
 Mulch
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
14
Trees, Shrubs, and Evergreens
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
15
Trees, Shrubs, and Evergreens

Trees & Shrubs
 Wrap
trunks of young trees or fruit trees to
protect from sunscald
 Sun damage or south-west injury causes the
bark to split exposing the tree to insect damage
and disease
 If severe, sun damage can cause the tree to
decline or even die
 Wrapping tree trunks will also protect against
rodent damage
 Remember to remove the wrap in the spring
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
16
Trees, Shrubs, and Evergreens

Evergreens
 Leaf
desiccation commonly shows up in late spring as
brown foliage.
 To
reduce the possibility of desiccation, water regularly
and abundantly until freeze-up.
 If
the weather is dry, water deeply once every seven to
10 days.
 An
anti-desiccant can be sprayed on evergreen foliage
 Layer
fallen leaves around the base of evergreens.
 Wrap
evergreens with burlap, if exposed to prevailing
winter winds or salt spray.
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
17
Vines
 Prune summer and fall
flowing trees and
shrubs in the dormant
season

Prune the three D’s
 Dead,
Diseased, or
Damaged

Prune every year, so
that plants regenerate
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
18
Vegetable Garden

Harvest your vegetables (and enjoy!)


Cover some with mulch for later
harvest
Compost dead annual plants (discard
diseased stems)

Pull out weeds and compost them
(no seeds!)

Till to disturb harmful
insects/eggs

Plant cover crops

Apply a top-dressing of compost.
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
19
Vegetable Garden
‘Lasagna’ Garden
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
20
Herb Garden

Harvest herbs for culinary use.
 Wash

and store them.
Bring in those herbs you wish
to grow on a sunny windowsill
 Trim
them and repot in new,
clean soil.
 Rinse
the plant thoroughly
to remove insects and eggs

Monitor the indoor herbs
closely
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
21
Water Gardens
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
22
Cuttings

Consult a reliable source!

Cut stems in the morning,
when they are full of water.

Immerse the cutting in a
bucket of water
 This
takes care of any
stubborn insects.

Note: Cuttings generally do
not need to be large (3 to 6
inches is fine).
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
23
Cuttings

Prepare the cuttings.

Put the cutting in bright, indirect
light

Fluorescent lighting is good for
rooting cuttings

Mist regularly or cover the cutting.

When the cutting has rooted new
leaves will appear.

Then monitor for pests and disease.

Transfer to a bigger pot when
required.
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
24
Saving Seeds

Wait until seed pods have dried and are about to open

Collect the seeds into any suitable container
 Do

not seal the container!
Once dry, place into the refrigerator for storage.
 This
 Do
keeps the seeds viable for longer
not freeze!
 Add
silica gel sachets or corn starch to absorb moisture.
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
25
Saving seeds

Some seeds need to be
processed before storage or
use
 Consult
a reliable source!
 Many
native perennials
need to be ‘stratified’.

Research spring treatment of
the seeds you have stored.
 Special
germination
instructions.
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
26
Soil – What is it made of?






Weathered rock material broken down over many years
Weathered rock material broken down over many years
 Sand, silt and clay
Sand, silt and clay
 Micro-organisms
Micro-organisms
 Organic matter
Organic matter
 Water and Air
Water and Air
http://foodstorageandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/types-ofsoil.jpg
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
http://pnwmg.org/images/soilparticlesize.gif
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
27
What does soil provide to plants?

Temperature control during very hot/cold periods

Oxygen that roots need to breathe

Anchoring support to stay upright

Water that roots need to drink

Food, food and more food!!!

Temperature control during very hot/cold periods

Oxygen that roots need to breathe

Anchoring support to stay upright

Water that roots need to drink

Food, food and more food!!!
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
28
Composting: What are the benefits?

Reusing and recycling

It’s natural – occurs in nature!

Helps grow strong healthy plants

Good for soil health and structure

Adds micro-organisms to root zone

Reduces needs for synthetic fertilizers

Helps improve water drainage in clay soils

Helps improve water retention in sandy soils

Helps clean up contaminated soil (remediation)
http://www.planetnatural.com
29
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
Greens vs. Browns

Greens are high in nitrogen or protein.

Greens help microorganisms to multiply fast in the piles.

Greens help internal temperatures in hot compost piles.

Browns are high in carbon or carbohydrates.

Browns supply the energy / food that soil organisms need.

Browns also help stop odours.

Browns help stop the nitrogen in the piles from leaching.

Browns are essential in the faster formation of humus
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
30
General Cleanup

Clean and put away furniture, pots, hanging baskets

Store clay and ceramic pots inside

Drain all hoses and store inside

Turn off outside water sources

Window boxes left in place can be used for holiday
decoration
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
31
Cleaning Tools
Rakes – Flex or Fan Rakes
- Straight or Rigid Rakes
 Hoes - Trench hoe or Fork Cultivator
 Shovels, Forks and Trowels
 Secateurs – Bypass, Anvil and Ratcheting
 Loppers – plain and extended handle
 Saws – folding, pole saws

thegreatestgarden.com
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
32
Cleaning Tools
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
33
Winterizing Container Pots
 Most
containers are either clay or plastic
 If
not emptied and dried, can freeze and
crack due to moisture and expansion
 Empty
pots, compost organic matter, wash
pots with water & bleach mixture
 Store
pots upside down, with
paper separations, in a sheltered
area
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
34
Evaluate Your Garden
1
2
3
• REVIEW the past
• OBSERVE the present
• PLAN for the future
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
35
Evaluate Your Garden



Garden Assessment Step 1 – Review

Keep a garden journal

Take pictures
Garden Assessment Step 2 – Observe

Microclimates in your garden

Moisture patterns in your garden or lawn
Garden Assessment Step 3 – Plan

Based on your review determine what you are changing

Prioritize your changes 1) Hardscaping, 2) Trees & Shrubs,
3) Plant Materials, 4) Vegetable patches, 5) Container gardens

Research plant materials

Map-it-out
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
36
Fall Gardening Checklist
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
37
Fall Gardening Checklist
September
October

Collect seed and herbs for drying

Transplant shrubs or young trees to new locations

Add compost or manure to garden beds


Cover water features with netting to collect falling leaves
Cut diseased areas out of perennials. Do not
compost

Check houseplants for pests, then start to move indoors

Rake and compost any fallen leaves

Plant new trees and shrubs, to give them at least 5 weeks before frost

Clean up garden debris. Remove all vegetable
plants and fallen fruit

Plant spring flowering bulbs, perennials, bi-annuals, and evergreens


Clean bird feeders, gardening tools
Remove dead annuals from the garden, after a
frost

Continue watering trees and shrubs until the ground freezes


Bring in any clay pots
Cut back perennial foliage to discourage
overwintering pests. Leave flowers with seeds for
the birds

Pull weeds before they go to seed to reduce the number of weeds next year 

Fertilize and aerate your lawn as required
November

Fertilize your lawn

Divide spring & summer blooming perennial

Turn off outside water connections & drain garden hoses

Buy bulbs to force for winter

Continue watering trees and shrubs until ground is frozen

Wrap screening around fruit tree trunks to protect from small animals

Mulch rose bushes

Clean fallen leaves in downspouts and gutters
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
Continue watering trees and shrubs until the
ground freezes

Sharpen lawn mower blade an pruners

Trim tall grass away from trees and corners of
your home to discourage small rodents from
creating nests

Dig up tender bulbs such as dahlia, canna and
gladiola. Dry and store in cool, dark space

Prepare and see new lawns

Prepare and dig new garden beds and additions
38
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
Upcoming Workshop
 Planning Your
Garden
 November 7th
at 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
39
Let’s Get Walking!
Please
feel free to ask questions
during the tour
Any questions before we get
walking?
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
40
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
& Humber Arboretum
Thank you!
Questions?
Etobicoke Master Gardeners
www.etobicokemastergardeners.ca
Humber Arboretum
www.humberarboretum.on.ca
41