It’s that time of year again…
Written by: Bill Caras
It’s that time of year again in Western Montana where we get to behold blooming plants stretching into late fall coupled with foliage changes anywhere from bright yellow to purple to orange and/or red. Harvest from the vegetable garden is still in full swing and fruits on trees and shrubs are rapidly developing their mature fall colors. Cooler temperatures and shorter days will accelerate all these processes and then, one day, we’ll have our first frost. This will sweeten up some fruits and put trees and shrubs on notice that it’s time to go into senescence in preparation for the coming winter. Fully dormant plants are much better equipped for cold winter days than those that didn’t take the “first frost” hintI!
I suggest that you get as much outside time in as you can. Walk neighborhoods including alleys and you’ll notice many amazing things that you simply don’t see when you’re driving. As for your own yard, stay on top of weeding to ensure they don’t have a chance to spread their multitudes of seed all over your gardens. Keep a keen eye out for interlopers that have managed to grow unobserved next to or in the middle of other more desirable plants. Right now I’m seeing a number of volunteer tree seedlings that can become a real problem in just a few years. The worst is the Siberian Elm followed by Norway Maple but there are many more. Once they’ve got some size, removing them is a lot more work than catching them early.
It is also critical that tree trunks get some form of protection against the highly destructive antler rubbing season (fall). This will require either three to four stakes around trees with interconnecting deer fencing attached or tree guards around the trunk. Most common of the tree guards are tubes (usually white) with a lengthwise split so the tube can be worked around the trunk. This type is pretty tricky to get on the tree and can actually damage the trunk when it is being put on and/or being taken off (in the spring). A better idea is to use flat sheets which are easily wrapped around the trunk and taped in a cylindrical shape. When removed, they return to being flat for easy storage until the following fall.
Finally, fall is a good time for planting. Soil temperatures are still warm enough that significant rooting in can take place up until when the ground freezes. It’s also a good time to add some fresh color to pots and beds. Mums are very colorful but there are some fun alternatives such as flowering kale, fall pansies and others. From here on out is also fall bulb planting time. Tulips are the most popular fall bulb but they’re also very popular with deer so protection is a necessity. Daffodils and hyacinths are less susceptible to browsing. For many people around here (myself included), autumn is our best season so try to make time to get outside and enjoy it. There are lots of “Wow!” moments to be experienced.
