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