How to use fall leaves in the garden

Every year the fall season presents us with a gift we can put to good use to improve our garden beds. Autumn leaves are packed with organic matter and nutrients that can serve as a natural soil amendment and mulch. Improving your garden soil is something that needs to happen on an ongoing basis. Continuous improvement is the way to ensure soil health, structure and fertility, all of which lead to improved crop yields. Good things happen when you add organic material to your garden soils on a regular basis. Clay soils become more workable, sandy soils retain water more effectively, earth worm populations go up, microbial activity increases and the overall health and balance of your soil improves. The result is better plant nutrient uptake and improved tomato and vegetable yields, next season.

 An easy way to put fall leaves to work is to rake them up and scatter them across the surface of your garden, then cover them with organic Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat and Compost.  Through the course of the winter, the leaves will break down and merge with the compost. Come spring, use your garden fork to work the resultant rich compost into your garden's soil. 

Another option would be to incorporate the leaf material into the garden now. To speed up the composting process, use your mower or leaf blower attachment to shred the leaves. The resulting smaller pieces will breakdown faster in your garden. Add organic Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat and Compost, then dig in five to six inches.  

Autumn leaves can be used to mulch perennials. Mulching will help keep the ground stable and retain moisture. Mulching perennials should be done after the ground is cold, usually around Thanksgiving.  Now's the time to put those beautiful fall leaves to work. You'll have a healthier, more productive garden next season. 

Plant Spring Color Now

Spring-flowering bulbs are an easy way to add early color to your garden. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and Dutch iris are available in a variety of colors and bloom times and with a little planning, you can experience color starting in March through late April and sometimes into early May. Actual bloom time will vary season to season, depending on the spring weather, where the bulbs are located in the landscape and planting depth. Bulbs planted near the house or other sources of reflected heat will bloom sooner than bulbs planted in the garden, where the sun hasn’t warmed the soil sufficiently to promote flowering. 

The bulb selection process starts the information printed on each box. There you’ll find the bulb type and bloom time. For a progression of color through the early part of the season, select bulbs from each bloom time: early, mid and late. If you prefer to have a single burst of color, select bulbs from the same bloom times. Choose quality bulbs. Bigger bulbs contain more food energy which means they will produce stronger plants with more impressive flowers. 

While you’re at it, pick up a bag of Dutch Bulb Food. Planted now, bulbs will begin to root and the bulb food will help build a strong root structure. The great thing about bulbs is their adaptability. You can tuck them in amongst existing perennials, in the rose bed or along the borders of your garden. Choose sites where your bulbs will receive at least six hours of sunlight. Bulbs will do okay in partial shade, but bloom best in full sun. Plant bulbs pointed side up, at a depth that’s equal to three times the bulb’s height. For example, a two-inch bulb should be planted six inches deep. 

For best visual effect, plant bulbs in clusters of three or more, spaced three to four inches apart. Mark the spot where they are planted, so you’ll remember where they are next spring. Water the site thoroughly. The only maintenance through the winter is to water every four to five weeks. Come spring, you’ll experience a profusion of colors, signaling the beginning of the end of winter.