TIME TO HARVEST AND REFLECT

As your garden is transitioning from summer to fall, you may be reflecting on

your recent warm growing season. What are your proud of? What do you

wish had gone differently? These are just a few of the questions you might be

asking yourself as you prepare to clean out rows and beds, soil test, seed cov-

er crops and cool season vegetables, and prune your shrubbery.

This time of reflection is one of the most powerful times in the gardening

calendar as it is when many key decisions are made that will most affect the

crops in the coming year. So, enjoy the harvest, and look ahead to what

comes next. Use the tips listed in this newsletter as well as other Extension

resources to make the best use of this transitional time.

BOX IT UP

Whether you had your best yields ever this year, or not so much, it is a

great idea to do a soil test in the fall. Soil testing can provide valuable infor-

mation regarding the nutrient content and pH of your soil with little hassle.

You can then use this report to make fertilizer decisions that will cut unnec-

essary costs and potentially increase yields. You may also find answers to

some of those questions such as, “why didn’t my squash do well this year?”.

Ready to get some answers? Come into our office and get a soil sample box.

Then, take a bucket and trowel out to the garden. Take 10-12 samples at 6

inches deep at random locations around the garden. Mix these in the buck-

et thoroughly while removing any bits of plant debris or rocks. If the soil is

wet, remove a sample of approximately the same volume as the sample box.

Spread out this sample on something flat, and let it air dry.

Once you have a dry, well-mixed sample, pack it into the sample box. Then,

bring the box back to our office or ship it to the University of Tennessee

Soil, Plant, and Pest Center with your payment for the testing. After that,

you wait.

Once you receive your results, you can put them into use right away, or

work with your local Extension Agent to determine your best course of ac-

tion moving forward based on your results. Either way, you will at least

have actionable data in hand about your lawn or garden .

For more information, visit: coffee.tennessee.edu

September 2017 Volume 1, Issue 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Pull the Pots In ........................2

Grass Planting..........................2

Cool Season Veggies ................2

Clean Up Crew .........................3

Bulb Planting ..........................3

Coffee County Extension .........4

Tree Planting ...........................4

FRESH PICKS

Transition from Warm to Cool Seasons.

Soil Health

Lawn Care

Plant Ahead!

“The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies.” — Gertrude Jekyll

Just because the cooler weather is moving in does not mean the joys of

harvesting fresh produce from the garden have to end. Plant your spinach,

broccoli, garlic, beets, collard greens, turnips, peas, and lettuce before the

first frost. These hardier veggies love the cooler temperatures and provide a

different harvest experience than that of the warm season vegetables.

Consider staggering these plantings by 10-14 days. This will ensure

continued harvest throughout the growing season and provide protection

from drastic swings in temperature as Tennessee haphazardly transitions

into these cooler months.

For added protection, consider using row coverings, mulches, straw, or hot

caps to shield your plants from wind and frost while maintaining optimal

temperatures.

Once planted, maintain these cool-season gardens by continuing to manage

weeds, monitoring soil moisture, and adequately fertilizing the soil. Wild

animals may become a burden to your plants as their natural food sources

die off in the cold months. Prepare a deterrent plan for these animals if you

live in an area where deer and rabbits are prevalent.

As you harvest these winter crops, consider preserving some of the foods

for later use. Greens can be frozen, and peas are easily canned or frozen.

Taking this final step after harvest will keep these items in your kitchen’s

rotation for most of the year. This way, you can have these winter greens

with fresh okra from the garden for dinner in the middle of July!

GRASS PLANTING

COOL-SEASON VEGGIES

Many varieties of grasses that

thrive in Tennessee are well suited

for fall planting. If your yard was

spotty this year, try seeding some

new grass this season.

Before you get started, be sure to

fertilize your yard properly

according to its nutritional needs. A

soil test may be in order to find just

the right balance.

Kentucky Bluegrass and Fescues

are excellent choices for this

climate, and should be planted

before the first frost.

Consider using a landscaping mat

or loose straw to both anchor and

protect the young grass as it

develops. This is a cost effective

way to ensure a good stand of grass

without having to re-seed all over

again.

After planting, water the seeds and

seedlings often, and maintain their

ground cover. By spring, your yard

will be full and lush.

PULL THE POTS IN

Some plants love cooler

weather and can thrive with

nothing more than some

straw added to their pot.

However, more

delicate ones such as ferns

and herbs need to come

inside soon. Place them

near a window and monitor

their soil moisture. They

should be happy inside with

you until the conditions

outside allow them to

return to the patio.

2

CLEAN UP CREW

Summer is full of fun, growth, and sunshine, but it often leaves us with

some messes. Just as in our homes, cleanliness reduces the abundance of

diseases and pests and encourages overall health for our garden.

So, grab the gloves and start cleaning!

Remove plants from the garden that are finished yielding for the year

and dispose of them properly.

Clean up debris from trees such as nuts and falling leaves to deter the

growth and spread of disease through the cooler months.

Continue to weed your garden areas to prevent weed seeding.

Gather falling leaves and add them to the compost pile.

Prune trees and shrubs when they become dormant for the winter.

Clear flower beds of debris and remaining weeds

Overall, take this time to get your yard and garden in shape. Straighten,

mend, and clean until these areas are in good working order. Your plants

will reward you.

BULB PLANTING

As much as we all love the

gorgeous fall colors the

trees put on display for us

this time of year, we begin

to miss the pinks and

purples of spring when the

air begins to get cool.

Thankfully, we can channel

that longing for bright

colors right into our

gardens by planting the

bulbs for beautiful

daffodils, hyacinths, and

irises, right now!

Fall is the perfect time to

dig deep and plant many

varieties of spring flower

bulbs. Start planning now,

and plant these spring

beauties before the ground

hardens.

Fall Clean-Up

3

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE

HORTICULTURE NEWS!

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/COFFEECOEXT

Your Extension Office is a

great resource for all your

horticultural needs. We can

provide you with university

publications, research-based

insights, and educational

opportunities that will help

you to be a more informed

and confident home owner,

gardener, and plant enthusi-

ast. Give us a call or stop in

and visit us today!

You can also visit us online

at coffee.tennessee.edu

TREE PLANTING

Early to mid-fall plantings of many ornamental trees and shrubs can great-

ly benefit your landscaping. The lower rates of transpiration in the fall al-

low young trees to dig deep and grow strong root systems. These strong

foundations allow the trees to focus their energy on growing tall and filling

out in the spring. Furthermore, these plants will already be acclimated to

your yard before the diseases and pests of the warmer weather move in.

The combination of the stress of a new home and the pests and diseases of

the humid south is detrimental to many plants. By planting sooner, you

give them a head start on overcoming many of these obstacles.

However, not all ornamentals can withstand the cooler temperatures early

in their lives. Be selective in your planting choices. Plant hardy, deciduous

varieties that have been container grown, balled, and burlapped. These

tend to have stronger root systems and be more capable of establishing

themselves during the cooler months.

After planting, monitor the plants closely. Maintain their soil moisture and

nutrition. By springtime, you flowerbeds and yard will be lively and full of

healthy greenery.

UT-TSU Extension Coffee County

1331 McArthur St Manchester, TN 37355 Phone: 931-723-5141 Fax: 931-728-3625

Anna Duncan- Extension Agent

E-mail: aduncan@utk.edu