Late summer and early fall are some of my favourite times in the garden. This is the time of year when everything comes together, it is a bit cooler and less buggy. Harvesting is on, but also getting the most out of the season by planting our last succession of crops like lettuce. More of a look forward to next year’s bounty is happening with garlic plantings. As well as the years ahead with some more asparagus.
I also like to get ahead with next year’s flower garden and farmgate appeal by taking cuttings of annuals like coleus and ivy. Plants that take to being rooted in water or even in soil easily and will often survive until next season indoors. A good tip is to make sure they have fresh water that is topped up regularly.
I must admit that by the time I plant the cuttings out either in the greenhouse or outside after the frost date next spring, look a bit tired. But also remember they provided a little bit of summer all winter long.
Once cuttings are planted out in pots, gardens and hanging baskets – they take off and really make a spectacular show. Don’t get me wrong, I still buy annuals and hit the garden centre every spring, but I also know that cuttings help take a bite out of my gardening budget.
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