Mountain Gardener by Betty Hensley
Celebrate Autumn
One of nature’s greatest performances is the showy splash of color brilliantly displayed in the fall. It is breathtaking to see the deciduous trees, shrubs and plants turn fiery shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold as Mother Nature prepares for winter. This wonderful sight is yet another gift following the softer color show of late summer blooms.
When shopping for plants during the early months of spring it is difficult to also plan for fall colors in your garden, yet once autumn has arrived and your landscaping blazes with colorful foliage, you will be glad that you did. When many people think of fall leaf color, trees such as sugar maple, pistachio, dogwood, and liquid amber come to mind, yet there are many other plants just as brilliant and at a scale more suitable for some of our smaller mountain gardens. When you are ready to shop for plants, it is recommended that you visit your favorite local nursery, as they can direct you to the best selections for your specific elevation and need.
Over-wintering Tender Plants
During this glorious fall color display, mountain gardeners need to be reminded of how little time there is, to face the challenge of keeping our less hardy plants and perennials alive through the winter. Some can be stored in almost total dormancy in cool, dark places; some stay in cool but brighter conditions; and a lucky few spend winter in a warm, but bright indoor setting. None of these methods are foolproof, so always expect a few casualties. Before the season’s first frost, bring as many plants indoors as you can, and place them near a bright window or slider for as much sun exposure as possible. If necessary, cut back the larger plants by half or two-thirds before bringing them inside. References usually suggest moving plants to a protected spot outside for a week or two, checking for pests or diseases before bringing the plants indoors.
Winter care can be simple. Water the plants whenever the soil dries out, and give the pots a quarter turn every few weeks so they don’t get too lopsided from reaching toward the light. Once the days start to lengthen again, provide an occasional taste of diluted fertilizer. It is exciting when spring finally arrives, but don’t rush to get them outdoors. Their first prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may burn the foliage and kill new growth. Slowly acclimate plants to the outdoors, preferably on warmer, cloudy days.
I have Meyer Lemon trees in half barrels and I live at the 3,000 foot elevation. We all know that citrus doesn’t tolerate frost well, so as winter approaches (and moving the trees indoors is not an option) they are scooted close to the house to be protected from the wind and cold. In mid-fall, before the first frost, the trees are groomed and watered well so that they head into their rest period well hydrated. Next I erect a loose cylinder of heavy chicken wire around the pot, plant and all. Then I dump in loose, dry mulch, such as chopped fallen leaves or straw, being sure not to pack the cylinder tightly, which might break the branches. The project is caped with a large piece of burlap. This will help keep out unwanted moisture and cold. If there is a sunny day, I might consider uncovering your citrus trees for a few mid-day hours, but be sure to re-cover the trees before dark.
This is the month of Thanksgiving, be sure to count your many blessings.
Winter has its own set of rules and problems. For FREE Mountain Gardener advice, contact a local Master Gardener at the University of California-Cooperative Extension at 209-533-5696 or email me at bettyhensley@mlode.com.
