FROM THE GROUND UP

DREAMSTIME PHOTO

When starting with an empty flower bed, a shovel is the best tool for properly turning the earth and mixing in nutrients before planting.

Digging fall

It’s time to start pruning, prepping and planting for a great garden next year

By LESLIE CRAWFORD

Fall marks the beginning of the garden year in Southern California.

October is when I get into high gear in my garden. It’s a big month for trimming plants, cleaning up the yard, prepping the soil and then planting.

By this time of year, most greenery is starting to look tired. It’s time to clean up and clear out. Plants are ready to be trimmed back heavily. Be sure to clean up underneath plants, removing old leaves and other detritus to help prevent garden pests and diseases.

Whether you have a large or small garden, soil preparation is going to make a big difference in how well your plants will thrive. Soil works hard throughout the year, so it becomes nutrient-deficient and compacts over time.

It’s best to water the day before you start working your soil, so you aren’t handling the soil when it is too dry or too wet.

First, you need to turn or rough up the existing soil. If you are starting with an empty flower bed, dig down and turn the earth with a spade. I have a small garden with

MIRIAM DOERR

October is an ideal time to plant bushes so they will be well established by spring. At right, one of the rewards of trimming and cleaning out the garden in fall is adding decorations at the end.

established plants, so I work a bit more delicately using a pronged cultivator, a hand tool that looks like a claw. It does a good job of roughing up the soil without disturbing existing plants.

Once soil has been worked, put down a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. (Worm Gold is an organic product of worm castings that does a great job, too.) Cover the fertilizer with about two inches of compost. Once you have added the amendments, turn the two layers with the roughed-up soil so everything is mixed into in a cohesive layer. Water when you are done.

In our Mediterranean climate, we can plant almost anytime during the year. For best results though, fall is the optimal time to put plants in the ground. Planting in the fall allows vegetation to take advantage of the hopefully cooler and wetter months. Plants will put down substantial roots and be fully established by springtime, when, with some fertilizer, they can grow even bigger and stronger before the heat of summer.

If your garden is established, take stock of what is growing well and what needs to be replaced. Look for bare spots that need to be filled in. This is the time to do a little

DREAMSTIME PHOTO

October is a big month for generously trimming back plants, which are looking tired after a summer of heat. Be sure to clean underneath after trimming.

redecorating.

I prefer shopping for plants at locally owned nurseries rather than the big box stores. Local nurseries carry plants grown for our climate, and plants are stocked when the season is appropriate. Plus, the staff is much more knowledgeable when you need help.

Be sure to factor water usage into your purchasing plan by choosing plants that aren’t too thirsty. As a bonus, many drought-tolerant plants attract pollinators so your garden can give back to the ecosystem.

Also consider these questions when planning and buying plants: Do you want to grow annuals or perennials, or maybe vegetables? What would you like to see or try in your garden? Do you know the difference between drought-tolerant and native plants?

If you don’t see certain plants for sale, it might not be the right time of year for them to be planted. Ask for help at the nursery if you are unsure or overwhelmed by the choices.

Don’t overthink the process and don’t get discouraged. If some of your plants don’t grow well, that’s OK. It happens to the best and most experienced gardeners. Gardening is a constant learning process.

I always look forward to this time of year. Planning for next year’s garden is a hopeful time. It’s a fresh start and an opportunity to try new things.

And remember, you don’t have to be good at gardening for gardening to be good for you. ■