Gardening tips for fall

It's autumn - finally - my favorite time of the year. The intense heat from the summer is beginning to fade away, afternoons on the back porch are peaceful and comfortable, some of the plants are beginning to show their fall color changes, and some of the vegetable garden crops start producing again after surviving the summer sizzle. Another aspect of fall is that it is time for a few landscape and garden chores to get everything ready for winter.

Fall is the best time in the High Desert climate to install new plantings or transplant old ones. The weather is still warm enough where it is comfortable to work in, and the plants will have all of winter and spring to establish root systems that will allow them to withstand the heat of next summer.

It's also time to plant or divide spring-flowering bulbs. There's a vast array of selections in nurseries, garden centers and catalogs. Purchase bulbs that are firm, not mushy, moldy or shriveled. Instructions for planting them are usually right on the package.

Do you have a lawn? I did have a small lawn, but it looks like it did not survive the watering restrictions. If you do still have a lawn, there's plenty of work to do here. If your lawn is a cool-season grass such as fescue or bluegrass, fall is the time to add winterizing fertilizer. There are many brands to choose from. Fertilizing will help keep your lawn greener throughout most of the winter months, and make it more beautiful and lush in the spring. If you have a warm-season grass such as Bermuda or Zoysia, letting it go dormant for the winter is recommended - however, if you want to maintain a green turf throughout much of the winter, these warm season grasses can be over-seeded with annual rye or fescue. Aerating the lawn after a summer of compacting it with playing and mowing is a good idea. Aerating the lawn is a way to break through the thatch layer that may develop and allows water, air and nutrients to get deeper into the root system. Aerators for large lawns can be rented, or a lawn care company can do the job for you. For smaller lawns, a hand aerating tool can be purchased at most any garden center. When you do the final mowing of the year, mow it a little taller than normal - this will encourage deeper rooting, and leave the clippings on the lawn as a mulch to protect it from the winter chill.

Autumn is also the time to sow wildflower seeds for a flush of color in the spring. Wild flower seeds may be purchased at nurseries, but for a great blend of seeds prepared especially for the High Desert area, check with the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District - (760) 843-6882.

Another great idea is to put a good three- to four-inch layer of mulch in your planting beds, which will help keep root systems warmer through the upcoming cold weather.

Don't forget to reduce irrigation frequency, and make sure that your irrigation system is in good shape. Reduce the risk of creating dangerous icy spots on sidewalks, driveways and streets by making sure that the water is going to the desired plants and not running off to other areas. This is also a good idea for staying in compliance with the state water restrictions due to the ongoing drought.