| It's August, the weather has cooled a bit | | | | for certain plants. I also admit, a bit |
| here and the summer monsoons where I live in | | | | grudgingly as a then new gardener, that I |
| New Mexico have begun. The kids are starting | | | | should never have ordered those specific |
| back to school and I feel the onset of fall. | | | | plants for my climate. Nevertheless the |
| I'm getting that garden planning itch again! | | | | nursery did stand behind it's guarantee. |
| It happens 2-3 times a year... This time, | | | | |
| it's time to start ordering bulbs and | | | | How Plants Are Shipped |
| perennials for fall planting. I'm always | | | | |
| planning how my garden will look better next | | | | Some plants will be shipped bare root, others |
| season and I suppose most of you do the same. | | | | as potted plants. This depends on the plant |
| Fall is the perfect time to plant for | | | | variety and I've actually found preference to |
| established growth next spring! | | | | bare root plants. They do look dead when they |
| | | | arrive (they are actually dormant), but I |
| Take a good look at your garden now and think | | | | assure you that unless they have visible |
| about areas you need to fill in. Do you need | | | | signs of disease like rot they'll thrive come |
| late season color, early spring blooms? Are | | | | spring. |
| there bare spots or places where plants like | | | | |
| poppies or tulips go dormant and you need a | | | | *Note - If you do get any plants that look |
| filler to keep your garden alive with color? | | | | like the crown has rotted either ship them |
| I find the best time for next years planning | | | | back immediately or just phone the nursery |
| is in the fall when bloom time and plant | | | | and they'll ship out new ones. |
| combinations are fresh in my mind. | | | | |
| | | | When to Plant |
| You may be disappointed with a plant | | | | |
| combination you chose last season. Fall is | | | | While you never know exactly when your plants |
| the perfect time to rearrange. Get rid of | | | | will arrive, they are shipped to you at the |
| overgrown plants and revive areas with new | | | | proper planting time for your gardening zone. |
| color or foliage combinations. Think about | | | | If plants arrive and it's not convenient to |
| areas in your bulb or perennial garden you | | | | plant immediately just make sure you follow |
| want to develop. What size, shape and bloom | | | | the directions included in your shipment for |
| color do you need? Plant them this fall and | | | | keeping your plants viable until you can |
| watch your pans come to fruition come spring. | | | | plant them. If you've planned ahead you will |
| | | | know where they go and it'll take you little |
| Search Engine Marketing Specialist | | | | time to get them in the ground. A Saturday |
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| | | | business for years and years and have shipped |
| Shrubs and trees do take years to mature and | | | | bare root and potted plants for eons. They do |
| fill their place. You can get a jump start by | | | | know what they're doing and most of them do |
| planting them this fall. When spring arrives | | | | it very well. They'd be out of business if |
| they'll be much more hardy and will require | | | | they couldn't fulfill your planting |
| less babying. | | | | requirements. |
| | | | |
| Fall is the perfect time to mail order bulbs, | | | | Gardening Budgets and Selection |
| perrenials, shrubs, hedges and trees. We're | | | | |
| winding down the season and if you're | | | | You can't beat the cost and selection of |
| anything like me you're just not ready to | | | | ordering by mail! Most mail order companies |
| quit quite yet. Sure there's clean up to be | | | | offer plant varieties you'll never find |
| done, but I find more planting helps to | | | | anywhere else. The selections seem endless |
| finish those mundane cxhores. As I clean out | | | | and I've been amazed what I can grow in New |
| I plant new! | | | | Mexico. Take advantage of fall specials and |
| | | | free shipping and you get a double bang for |
| Ordering online or by mail | | | | you buck. For about half of what I spend on a |
| | | | trip to the garden center on a single spring |
| Ordering plants online can be a bit scary. | | | | garden binge, I can have more variety and |
| How are the plants shipped? Will they be good | | | | many more plants shipped to me at home. |
| quality? Will they arrive at the right time | | | | |
| and will I be prepared to plant them then? | | | | Get on the Mailing Lists |
| | | | |
| Fear not! I've ordered in fall for years and | | | | Make sure you're on the mailing list for the |
| have had tremendous results! | | | | following nurseries at least! You'll get a |
| | | | catologue several times a year. Take it into |
| Plant Quality and Guarantees | | | | the garden with you,look around and plan |
| | | | accordingly. Then hop online and place an |
| Nurseries do differ in what and how they ship | | | | order or order by mail, but use the online |
| so make sure you do some research, but almost | | | | resources for their help with plant |
| all reputable mail order nurseries do | | | | combinations and companion planting. They |
| guarantee their plants to grow or your money | | | | offer great suggestions you may not have |
| back. I've never had trouble collecting on | | | | thought of before. Remember - pictures will |
| that promise and I have used it a time or two | | | | help any gardener no matter how experienced. |