It’s fall yard work season in Western Washington. Here’s what to do for your lawn and garden now
The third week of September is not too late to improve your lawn. Fall is the most important time of year to fertilize a lawn in Western Washington so if you only feed the lawn once a year, make the application in the fall.
You also can take advantage of the cooler fall weather as the time to overseed bare or thin patches in your lawn. Rather than wasting seed by tossing it on the ground, take the time to rake and scratch the bare spots removing thatch. Now the seed can fall onto bare soil.
Next, add a mulch to protect the new seed. Some seed companies include the mulch in with the seed and this is a practical way to ensure both protection from the birds and to hold more moisture near the tender seedlings. Grass seed with mulch included costs more but has a higher rate of germination so you will need less.
Q. When is the best time to plant daffodil and tulip bulbs? I have purchased bulbs in the past then forgotten to plant them! This fall I shall try again. — F.G., Enumclaw
A. Fall is for planting and any time from September until December is a good time to plant spring flowering bulbs in our area. Late September and early October seem to be the opportune time, but experience shows in our region the weather is ideal for traditional hyacinth, daffodil and tulip bulbs so that even if you plant them after Christmas, you will still get flowers this spring.
Forgetting to plant bulbs you have purchased is a common complaint. Mark your calendar now or tell your phone to send you a reminder every two weeks until you get the job done. A spring garden full of tulips and daffodils will be your reward.
Q. Is this a good time to transplant hosta? What about hydrangeas? — P., Email
A. Yes, hosta and hydrangeas are both easy to transplant in the fall and the hosta also can be divided to make new plants. Don’t worry if they lose their leaves or if they turn yellow after the transplant operation or division. Leaf drop this time of year will not harm either the hydrangea or the hosta, and you’ll see fresh new growth in the spring.
All hosta and most hydrangea varieties appreciate shade from the afternoon sun so consider this when deciding where to move your hosta and hydrangeas. The east side of a building that gets only morning sun is ideal for both hosta and hydrangea.
Q. If I bring green tomatoes into the house to ripen, will they all turn red? Anon
A. It depends. Tomatoes must have reached a certain stage in their maturity to ripen when brought indoors. Look for a dark green star or marking on the blossom end of a green tomato. This darker marking is the sign that the tomato has reached the stage where nature will ripen it indoors, even if there is no sunlight.
Q. I see small heads of ornamental cabbage for sale at garden centers. Are these colorful plants edible like regular cabbage? — W.E., Buckley
A. Yes, although ornamental cabbage and kale sold as plants to use for fall color have been bred for brilliant leaves, not flavor, so they may not taste as good or be as tender as regular kale and cabbage.
Marianne Binetti has a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of several books. Reach her at binettigarden.com.
