Gardening Jobs in the Fall
The first leaves have fallen, the first rains have made the soil smell of musk, the orange trees have blossomed, the first pomegranates have been cut and the first vegetables have been planted... It's a fact, autumn has arrived!
So we welcome it and prepare for the cold. We "take down" the winter clothes and "up" the summer clothes, clean the house, spread the carpets, clean the fireplace and chimney, store the patio furniture, prune and plant the first autumn flowers and vegetables.
"What do we plant in autumn?", you will be wondering now! "Lots of vegetables, like lettuce, spinach, broccoli, and carrots, and lots of flowers, like tulip bulbs and hyacinths," we'll say. Autumn is the right time to take care of our garden, protect our plants from the cold of winter and prepare them for spring.
For this reason, we searched, found and present to you all the necessary gardening tasks that you need to do to turn your garden into… a garden of Eden!
What Is Gardening?
Let's start things from the beginning... Do you know what gardening is? What are the different types of gardening? And what is the difference between gardening and farming?
"Gardening", as mentioned in the dictionaries, is "the occupation of cultivating the garden", or otherwise the "art of the gardener".
Therefore, horticulture is all about the care and beautification of gardens, while at the same time it is divided into different types, such as organic, ornamental and protected horticulture.
For example, organic gardening refers to the cultivation and production of fruits, vegetables and herbs using organic, ecological, techniques, without the use of chemicals and pesticides. In contrast, ornamental gardening refers to the care and treatment of flowers and trees as ornamentals. Whereas, protected horticulture refers to the improvement of the environment.
Horticultural people, also known as gardeners, undertake various tasks related to planting, maintaining and growing plants, flowers, shrubs and trees in gardens or other outdoor spaces.
More specifically, a gardener is responsible for uprooting and planting new plants, watering, mowing lawns, controlling insects and plant diseases, as well as creating a beautiful and well-kept outdoor space. Gardeners can be professionals or hobbyists who simply enjoy their love of nature and the garden… just like you!
Gardening and agriculture are two different but with many similarities activities related to the cultivation of land and the care of plants. The main differences between horticulture and agriculture are the volume of space, the nature of the plants grown and the objectives of the activities.
For example, gardening refers to the cultivation of flowers, ornamental plants in small spaces such as houses and parks. While agriculture refers to the production of food and cultivation of crops such as grains, fruits and vegetables on larger areas of land.
What Tools Do We Need For Gardening?
Garden care and maintenance is not a simple task! Every gardening job needs the necessary tools.
Before you start pruning, planting and watering, get the following materials and tools:
Pruning Plants and Shrubs in the Fall
Before you plant anything…prune! Pruning is one of the most important gardening tasks to be done before the cold weather arrives.
Attention! Not all plants and trees need pruning in the fall. For example, roses and other spring blooming plants should not be pruned too long before spring.
In autumn, therefore, we usually prune ornamental plants, such as bushes, hedges and aromatic plants.
When the bushes turn yellow, it means that it is time to prune them. Use a saw or pruning shears. Cut the bushes according to their size. As for fences, simply cut off the overhanging leaves.
Next, prune herbs such as oregano, mint, rosemary and thyme that are in small pots.
The aim of pruning is to get rid of dry branches, diseased leaves and thin branches near the trunk. With pruning, plants and trees will be able to bloom again, even in winter.
Lawn care
Does the lawn need maintenance? Naturally!
The cold and humidity of winter negatively affect the growth of the lawn, for this reason we must take care of it from the very first month of autumn.
First step, pick up all the leaves that have fallen on the lawn, using a blower for convenience. Second step, mow the lawn (last time around early November).
Then add fertilizer, which will help the lawn grow, and spray it with the necessary solution – copper and natural pyrethrin – which will protect the lawn from grubs and other fungal diseases.
If you still don't have a lawn and want to plant, fall is the perfect time to sow new seeds.
Planting Fall Plants
Fall gardening involves planting fall plants such as vegetables and flowers.
Planting autumn flower bulbs
In the fall you can plant… autumn bulbs! Prefer to plant the bulbs in the early autumn months so that the flowers will bloom in the spring.
The bulbs we plant in autumn are mainly tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and amaryllis.
For planting, use the shovel, hoe and potting soil you have already purchased. Bulbs are usually planted in the ground.
With the spade and chisel make a hole in the soil, place the bulbs with their end facing up, cover them with topsoil and press them down. Water the bulbs using the hose.
Planting Fall Vegetables
In the fall you can also plant fall vegetables! Autumn vegetables are planted in the ground, but also in pots.
Following the same process as planting bulbs, in autumn you can plant a variety of vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, but also many herbs such as spring onion, rocket, parsley and dill.
But this time, before placing the vegetable seeds in the soil, add compost and manure, which will help the vegetables grow quickly.
When you finish planting, water the seeds.
Tip: If the vegetables are in the ground, invest in an automatic watering system, which will water the vegetables at the same time every day, giving you peace of mind.
Preparation of Water Tap
One of the most important gardening tasks is preparing the water tap for autumn. But how is this preparation done correctly?
Close the valve so that the water supply is stopped. Drain the remaining water using the drain valve. The valve must remain closed during all autumn months.
Creating Compost with the Right Materials
Do you know what compost is? Compost is a natural fertilizer that helps plants grow.
Compost is usually created from plant materials already in our home, such as food scraps or garden scraps. These residues are composted and later used in the planting along with the fertilizer.
Compost is rich in organic matter, helping plants to grow, having taken all the nutrients.
To make a compost, you can collect fruit and vegetable peels, coffee and tea grounds, eggshells or fireplace ashes.
In a hole in the ground, place these scraps, along with some dry grass, fallen leaves or some grass clippings from the lawn. You can also add some manure.
Throw in a few peels from an apple, banana or pear to attract earthworms. Add water to keep the soil moist. Then stir frequently.
The compost will be ready in 6 – 8 months.
Take Care of Your Garden Before Winter!
By following the above gardening tips and buying the right materials and tools, you too can have a beautiful and blooming garden next spring.
Whatever you need, Geosantro is at your side offering you all the necessary products and tools for pruning, planting and watering plants and trees. Find what you need, take advantage of free shipping over 50 euros, and turn your garden into a garden of Eden!
