SOUTHPORT, N.Y. (WETM) – As temperatures drop and many plants begin to wilt, there are steps you can take to help your garden thrive this fall and prepare for spring.
Milkweed is currently sprouting. You can collect the pods, break them open, and sprinkle the seeds around your garden to encourage more growth next spring.
Dahlias and other bulb plants should be dug up and stored indoors. Place them in a plastic bag until spring arrives.
For hydrangeas, the Annabelle variety, which has round-shaped blooms, can be left untouched. However, for cone-shaped hydrangeas, it’s advisable to cut off the flower heads while leaving the rest of the branch intact. This will help the plant regrow next year.
Regarding pumpkins, while you can preserve them, it’s often better to leave them outside for wildlife. Charlie Todd, owner of Chamberlain Acres, suggests, “To preserve them, you can apply Vaseline. But I believe they are a great source of vitamin C and other nutrients for outdoor animals, including deer. The seeds in the pumpkins can act as a natural dewormer. If you have old pumpkins, just place them in your yard to decompose naturally.”
Additionally, if your mums are showing new growth, you can bring them inside and plant them, allowing them to survive the winter.
Earlier today, the Twin Tiers experienced light flurries, signaling the changing seasons.
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