grow fun with your Fall garden!
This is the best time to get new additions to your garden ‘structure’ in the ground. From now through November, perennials and many trees will appreciate the cool weather plant time and over-wintering to establish themselves. MOST IMPORTANT: This requires that you water at least once a month in the cold season and an awareness of temperatures. Yes, water. Not when it’s very cold or roots will freeze.
“Shrubs and trees are the framework of a garden. Usually these are planted first in a new landscape because they need more time to grow to good size, they provide the walls of the outdoor room and they give essential shade. Plants that naturally grow in or near our area are good choices, since they are adapted to our unique weather and climate. Saturday, at the Gardeners’ Guild, we’ll have some of the loveliest and toughest shrubs and trees available. The New Mexico olive grows in the bosque understory, on the exposed slopes of the Rio Grande and in the malpais. It will probably grow in your yard just fine. Desert willow and mimosa are beautiful blooming (and fragrant!) patio or specimen trees. Bird of paradise is a large shrub (12 feet) that bears large yellow flowers with long red stamens. Very exotic! Our native mockorange has exquisitely fragrant blossoms and grows in part shade. Blue mist is putting on its beautiful blue blooms right now. For all around versatility, you can’t beat (non native) rosemary. It is evergreen, blooms twice a year and provides seasoning for your rosemary bread.” says Peggy Wells of Desert Spring Nursery.
To find the best quality plants, a key to your success, Plants of the Southwest and Santa Ana Nursery are both excellent sources. Email info@GardenersGuild.org if you have questions!
Take the chance to grow green in winter.
Get on track with your Fall garden now! ABQ’s mild climate is well suited for growing vegetables of a cool-weather kind. With forethought and a few supplies, some crops can extend through the coldest days, giving a healthy burst of greens instead of January drear. Plan to plant the vigorous varieties absent from the sweltering summer gardens.
For edibles:
When temps remain below 85, often mid-September, conditions for cool season veggies become favorable. Each variety has a range in these cooler degrees that best suits their needs, as root vegetables and leafy greens flourish in sunny winter days. But not only for plants is the milder weather more pleasant — also for the gardeners, as winter veggies demand less time, energy and resources. The frequency of watering drops and other chores for the garden become less toilsome. No need to rush; return home to plants that haven’t yet spent their daily water. What a refreshing break! These vegetables will require water only once or twice a week, and for the space-challenged gardener growing in containers, this is a great time to try more varieties. Cool season veggies grow well in pots, and can be moved to adjust their conditions: to gain sun or avoid a freeze.
Simple, small actions can make a big difference! If you only have pots and no place in-ground, grow greens in containers.
The root requirements of varieties like chard, spinach and many kinds of lettuce are less demanding, growing just fine in 6-8″ of soil depth. Any container shape will work well and if mobile, offer an opportunity to move your yummy leaves into sunnier spaces as the seasonal sun moves south. A warm, reflective wall will help your greens grow quickly — insulate with some kind of mulch mounded around the pot or use plastic when it gets really cold. Those living in Nob Hill will have the easiest time of it, as the warmest neighborhood in Albuquerque. The North Valley and East Mountains will need to insulate heavily (see details below).
