There is no doubt in  my mind that this fall has been very mild and pleasant, however the time has now come for us to prepare our gardens and yards for the winter months to come.

In most climate zones, Fall is actually a better time of year than even spring to plant or transplant trees, shrubs, and many other perennial plants. The soil tends to be warmer which promotes root growth, and — unlike with spring planting — there’s not the potential of a long, hot, dry summer facing the young upstarts. It’s also the time of year when you can save a bushel of cash on gardening equipment and nursery stock. If you don’t already have one, you definitely want to start a compost pile in the Fall to provide a receptacle for all the  leaves and other yard debris you should rake up before winter sets in.  The best medicine for a garden is organic matter and composts heaps are the answer.  Nothing in my kitchen that is  organic is thrown away, everything goes into the compost heap, watered and turned regularly with great results in the spring.   If there are any problems plants infested with insects, mildew or other pests, remove the damaged material and throw it away rather than putting them in the compost heap. Never add meat, fish or dog waste into your compost pile.

In addition to being the best time to plant most springtime flowering bulbs (e.g. tulips, daffodils, crocuses, irises, etc.) as well as trees and shrubs, many perennial plants and vegetables can be divided in the Fall. Dividing most perennials – once they’re sufficiently mature – will both make them healthier and create multiple plants out of a single one, all for the cost of nothing more than a little light labor. Do your research in advance to determine which types of perennials should be divided in the Fall and the best methods for doing so. In general, perennials should first be thoroughly watered and the entire plant dug out of the ground, with its root ball intact. The root ball should then be separated into smaller plants by pulling it apart with a pitch fork or, in some cases, even cutting it apart with a shovel or other sharp tool. The smaller plants should then be immediately replanted in the ground and watered again.

Most people love garlic and now is the time to plant them. Place healthy, good sized certified disease free cloves about 2 inches deep with the pointy end up, cover with soil and a thin layer of straw.  During the winter months the roots will start developing and be ready to grow in the spring.   Generally after my last mowing of the lawn when I leave the clippings on the grass I fertilize one last time before winter arrives.  Good luck have fun and see the results in Spring.

Last but not least for the Montreux,Galena and surrounding are  I use the website noaa Galena and it gives you the correct temperatures for our region.