So farewell—to the little good you bear me.
Farewell? a long farewell to all my greatness!
This is the state of man: to-day he puts forth
The tender leaves of hopes, to-morrow blossoms,
And bears his blushing honors thick upon him;
The third day comes a frost, a killing frost,
And when he thinks, good easy man, full surely
His greatness is a-ripening, nips his root,
And then he falls as I do.
Henry the Eighth, by William Shakespeare
The end of autumn is often likened to death. My Grandma Nita was consumed with this thought every fall, and the season began a sadness which didn’t lift until the first buds of spring.
However, I, being an aficionado of autumn, have never believed the comparison fair. Sure, leaves lose their chlorophyll and fall from the trees. The frost and freezes come and chop down most perennials leaving skeletal remains atop the soil, but what about what lies beneath?
Under the earth, activity slows, but does keep moving. Earthworms still tunnel, and with the help of such tunnels and the worms’ nutrient rich casings, tiny plant roots stretch themselves to take up food and water. Other plants hibernate like bears and nap during winter, slowing down and taking a breather before bursting forth again in spring.
Just like everything living on this earth, plants need their rest. The bulbs we plant now grow throughout winter’s cold before later sending shoots above ground into warm air.
To make sure your quietly resting plants have what they need for winter, now is a good time to add an additional layer of mulch. If you have shredded leaves or compost hulls like Back to Nature’s brand (which can be purchased at several locations throughout our state), these are ideal. The worms pull decayed matter deep down into the soil, and what isn’t used remains a blanket on top of gently buried bulbs and roots. Oklahoma’s weather is so unpredictable, one day warm, and the next freezing, and we don’t normally have much snow cover, so mulch helps maintain moisture and soil temperature. You can use wood mulch of course, but it takes much longer to decay and add nutrients and beneficial fungi back into the soil.
Now is also a good time to move any containerized plants you have on your deck or patio up next to the house. This is even more important if your containers are clay or glazed pottery as the freeze/thaw cycle is very hard on these pots. I move anything I haven’t already brought inside up against the east side of my house where temperatures are more moderate. If you didn’t bring in your tropical plants, it is probably too late unless they are the hardy type like certain banana trees sold locally.
You can begin planting bulbs now. I’m still waiting on one order, but I got outside yesterday and planted some here and there. I know it’s chilly, but believe me, you’ll be glad to see these beauties next spring.
After the freeze, you will be able to better see the structure of your garden and what should be moved where. Do you need a different tree in that spot? What about a decorative element here? Take a notebook or a small recorder (like your phone) and make some notes on what you would like to change. Autumn is a very good time for planning.
Feeling out of inspiration? In a few days, I’ll be suggesting some books I really like for winter reading. I spend a lot of my winter thinking about what I’m going to do next spring. However, unlike my dear grandmother, I don’t bemoan this time of rest. The garden and I will be all the better for it.
This morning for the first time I had frost on the ground, but it is warm this afternoon. What a difference a few hundred miles makes in the season. I am with your Grannie on the seasons, but more because of the dark than the rest for the plants.
Dee – What a lovely post. It is good to have a rest. Funny, I wrote an article last night for the Austin American Statesman to run on Saturday about protecting plants from freezes and advised that people not prune after a freeze, but consider the remains sculptural interest in the garden! I’m actually eager for the rest — for me!
I am new here, and what an awesome ornamental cabbage you have there! We dont have them here, so i feel like i found a treasure also when i see things like those in some other blogs. thanks
I’m so glad to see this post! I adore my garden in the Autumn more than at any time of year and marvel at its’ simple beauty in the Winter when frost, ice and snow abound. Autumn only makes me a sad because it seems to pass by so quickly and then I’ve got to wait another 10 months all over again for it to return! It’s my favorite time of year.
Thank you Jo. I love autumn too.
Well said, my red dirt sister! For everything there is a season. I will sit tight this winter, urging little worms to inch along and do their thing. So that I can watch the spring bulbs stretch toward the sun when the weather warms them enough to wake them from their slumber. Go, little worms!
Brenda
Hey Brenda, nice to see you. I’ve been planting bulbs all morning, and I have an aching back. Just kidding.
I would be of a similar mind as your granny if it were not for the upcoming holidays, Camellias and Hellebores.
Les, I wish I knew if camellias would really thrive here. I need to do some checking. I do love my hellebores.
Dee, I never understood the sadness a lot of people have in autumn. As you rightly point out, there’s still a lot to do garden-wise, and though I grumble a bit about the long winter to come, it’s good to have time for resting and thinking about the garden.
Cyndy, yes, there is loads to do. I’ve been planting violas and bulbs, and am excited to see what my plans will bring.
Dee, I love the colors of autumn and the flowers that light up the garden~It’s such a great time for salvias, sages and other beauties. But, I am not ready to let go of any blooming plants when I know that 70 degree weather will be back in a few days! Oh, aren’t we cursed living in Zone 7A…Not! Thank you for the reminder to get my clay pots out of the direct weather~I’ve lost a few nice ones from the freeze/thaw effect. Btw, the cabbage and pansies shot is a treat. I hope your weekend is easy and sweet. gail
I do sometimes think about those roots during the winter, especially when there’s a thaw, the snow melts and some plants look so fresh and alive. And then there’s the snowdrops. Love the shot of the cabbage.
I was so relieved at the first frost which came very late to the garden. The gardener needs a break and now one is in sight. I look forward to your book suggestions. I have many on the shelves which need further scrutiny.
I so agree with you Dee. I actually look forward to the short respite that winter gives us. It is nice to sit back and enjoy all of ones labors. I enjoy thinking about what I will do next. Happy Winter to you too.
Any post that begins with a quote from Shakespeare has to be good:) Seriously, this is a great post for this time of year, Dee. I’ve been following your advice and making sure some of my delicate plants have a nice warm blanket at their feet to get them through the winter, and next week I’m going to get more compost to spread around all the garden. There is a certain sadness about the end of the gardening season, but I also look forward to some rest, not to mention my house could use some attention, finally:) Looking forward to some recommendations for good reading. Beautiful purple cabbage!