Getting your garden ready for winter
CHRISTIE SCHLUETER
There are a lot of things to do yet before that first
frost. The following are tips to keep your plants and
lawns healthy for the winter. Here are some recom-
mended by Deb Brown, University Extension Horti-
culturist:
Fertilize the lawn. Use a standard high nitrogen
lawn food to help your lawn develop strong roots
and runners. Grass that is fertilized in the fall will
come back thicker and greener next spring. You may
choose to follow up with a second application of fer-
tilizing mid to late October. Though top growth will
have slowed or stopped because of cooler tempera-
tures, the underground portions remain active several
weeks longer.
Core aerate compact soils. If your soil is heavy and
clay-like, or it has become compacted over the years
from kids or dogs romping on it, make a habit of core
aerating every year or two. Rent a machine that takes
plugs out of the soil and throws them onto the lawn’s
surface. They will crumble and top dress the soil
stressed for moisture will increase the likelihood
these plants will suffer winter burn or browning.
My Fall To Do List:
When planting bulbs, write with a permanent
Sharpie pen on a popsicle stick so you know where
you planted bulbs and what colors. You can also pur-
chase white plastic markers from garden centers. Or
recycle those that come with your annuals for the
summer. Write on the opposite side or cover with
duct tape and write on that.
When bringing some plants in that you want to
winter over, remember this will be a different climate
than they are used to. Try to keep near a bright sunny
window and water more sparingly. They will lose
leaves, but should gain them back later in the spring
when you water and fertilize. Do not over water; wait
until the soil is completely dry before rewatering.
Make sure the plants are free from insects by spray-
ing with a hose before you bring in.
Empty your terra cotta pots or you will be surprised
next spring when they are all cracked. You could also
store the pots in your basement or a shed where it
does not get as cold.
Don’t forget to dig up your glad bulbs, cannas,
dahlias, calla lily or others that do not winter over.
I found if you put a strip of bright fabric such as red
or pink on a stake you will see it when you are fall
cleaning your beds.
Another way to remind you of chores is to mark it
on the calendar. Gardening chores can all be posted
on the week you should get done.
Take pictures of your beds if you particularly liked
the way they looked this year. Then you can refer to
them when you plant annuals and seeds for next year.
With these tips you will find that fall gardening can
really be a fun time of the year. As we near
the colder indoor months you will appreci-
ate the extra effort you took to do all of these
things next spring.
This is the time of year when the home
fills up with baking goodness. These recipes
will be sure to make your home smell of the
season
Caramelized Onion Flatbread
Ingredients:
1 large sweet onion, sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound of pizza dough or favorite flat-
bread dough (or purchase from your local pizza place
or purchase Naan or flatbread at your local store)
1-1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1⁄2 cup sautéed mushrooms and a couple dashes of
garlic powder
Balsamic vinegar – try fig it has a sweet flavor
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Saute onion in hot
oil over a medium heat for about 15 minutes or until
golden brown. Saute mushrooms in some more oil
and cook until soft, sprinkle with some garlic powder
as cooking. Set aside
Press dough into a 15x10-inch jelly roll pay, press-
ing to about 1⁄4-inch thickness. Press handle of a
wooden spoon to make indentions at 1-inch intervals;
drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, sprinkle
with salt, rosemary, mushrooms.
Bake at 425 on lowest oven rack for 20 minutes or
until lightly browned.
Take out of oven and drizzle with Balsamic vin-
egar. Cut into slices and enjoy.
Corncopia Stuffed Squash
These acorn squash are overflowing with barley,
spinach, sunflower seeds, shitake mushrooms, dried
cranberries and smoked gouda for a wonderful side
dish.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 medium acorn squash, about 3 pounds
More GARDEN on Pg 13
with microorganisms to help break down thatch. The
holes will also allow moisture, fertilizer and oxygen
to penetrate into the root zone, resulting in healthier
grass.
Renew mulch around young trees and shrubs.
Shredded bark, woodchips, and other organic mulch-
es break down where they contact soil. They settle
over time. Check to see that mulching materials
are about three inches deep over the root ball area
of young trees and shrubs. This much
will protect them from extreme cold as
in
the
with
well as early spring thaws. Be sure to
leave a small space between the mulch • Cooking Classes for all ages and Groups
and your plants trunks or stems to avoid • Special order cookies, cakes, desserts
(for intimate group settings)
moisture damage.
• Special Occasions
Water evergreen trees and shrubs • Fresh Garden Produce - in season
regularly. Evergreens keep their leaves • Menu Planning
Pot Cooking Classes - tips & tricks
or needles throughout the winter. This • • Instant
Special order jams, jellies, herbal spice mixes,
means they are more vulnerable to dry-
salad dressings & more!
ing from winter sun and strong winds.
Chris Schlueter 320-587-4974 or email me [email protected]
Allowing them to go in cold weather
Visit me on facebook and on cjinspirations.wordpress.com
Cooking Country
Chris
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