DATE:     10/22/98   
WRITER:   Tim Davis, Extension agent, Richland County,
          (803) 929-6030

Using Fall Gardening Time Effectively

     CLEMSON -- Fall is finally here! The weather is cooling
down, the leaves are beginning to turn, and it is time to get
busy doing yard work. 
     Horticulturally, this is a very busy time of year. I know it
is also busy with the holidays coming, but planning ahead now
will give you the best opportunity to have a magnificent yard
this coming spring. There are a couple of things, however, that
don't need to be done that most people want to do in the fall.
     First, you will often hear that you need to "winterize" your
lawn. Well, it is too late to do this. Winterizers are high in
potassium. It has been reported that extra potassium can help
plants survive cold spells better. But if it is going to do any
good, potassium must be added 40-60 days before the first frost.
Here in the Columbia area, the average frost date is November 2.
So by now, it's too late.
     Remember, you should always fertilize according to a soil
sample. If your soil sample says your potassium levels are
sufficient, additional feedings are not necessary.
     Second, you don't need to do any pruning this time of year.
You will sometimes read that plants that bloom late in the summer
or fall can be pruned now. Many Clemson Extension specialists now
recommend waiting for most ornamental plants and trees.
     Pruning stimulates the growth of plants. This new growth is
particularly susceptible to cold damage. We recommend that you
wait until February to do your "fall" pruning. Putting the right
plant in the right place will take care of most pruning needs.
Many plants don't even need pruning. 
     I don't know who started it, but what is done to crape
myrtle plants is a sin. They will bloom better and retain a
better shape and become less overgrown by doing little or no
pruning. For a good article on this subject, see "Crepe Murder,"
an article which appeared in the January 1997 issue of Southern
Living(R) magazine.
     Some publications that will help you with pruning and other
horticultural techniques are: Home Landscaping (EC 671; $2.50),
Home Vegetable Gardening (EC 570; $2), Growing Fruits at Home (EC
681; $2), and Xeriscaping (EC 672; $4.50). Each of these
publications is 50-plus pages, and each is written specifically
for South Carolina. They are available at your county Extension
office, or they can be ordered online at:
http://cufan.clemson.edu/olos/ .
     So what can you do? Here's a list to get you started:
     Remove old crop debris to discourage overwintering insects
and diseases.
     Plant annuals for fall/winter color (pansy, ornamental
cabbage, kale, snapdragons, red mustard and many others).
     Plant perennials for fall/winter color (gaura, sedum,
chrysanthemum, aster and many others).
     Plant winter and spring-blooming bulbs. Dig, dry and store
summer-blooming bulbs (see Hort L.40).
     Divide summer-blooming perennials. Discontinue feeding the
fish in your water garden when the water temperature drops below
55 degrees.
     Protect tender plants from frost damage. Sow seeds for
frost-tolerant perennials and wildflowers. 
     Mulch with organic materials (pinestraw, bark, compost).
Plant perennials and ornamental grasses.
            ***************************************
     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to
  Agricultural News and Publications, A-101 Poole Agricultural
Center, Box 340311, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0311. 
                              END