| AUTUMN HEALTH '08 Take winter seriously - the bugs that go around are much more annoying than the garden variety in summer. Appropriate herbs in dried form can be used to boost immunity and soothe symptoms. FORTIFYING FOODS FOR SUPPORT
Colorful foods will boost your immune and get your fall off on the right foot! There aren't lots of red or blue foods that we can grow locally, but they are still important. If you're willing to buy those at the grocery, other immunity foods can be easily grown in the Albuquerque area. Herbs are key fortifiers, with rosemary, basil and cilantro providing many benefits. They have medicinal affects, and trace nutrients too that are the foundation for good immunity and resistance. If you have time, grow lots of leafy greens, starting in September. Enjoy variety, great taste and good health all year.
HAVE FRESH FOOD THROUGH WINTER
Cool season gardening of vegetables is rewarding and much less toil than growing in the super-hot summers. Grow spinach, kale, chard, lettuce, radishes, beets, carrots, peas, broccoli and more!
PERRENIALS SAVE RESOURCES!
Fall is the best time for planting perennials. Over the winter, they will have time to establish a good root system with moderate water. Peggy Wells of Desert Spring Nursery gives this advice:
"Shrubs and trees are the framework of a garden. Usually these are planted first in a new landscape because they need more time to grow to good size, they provide the walls of the outdoor room and they give essential shade. Plants that naturally grow in or near our area are good choices, since they are adapted to our unique weather and climate. Saturday, at the Gardeners' Guild, we'll have some of the loveliest and toughest shrubs and trees available. The New Mexico olive grows in the bosque understory, on the exposed slopes of the Rio Grande and in the malpais. It will probably grow in your yard just fine. Desert willow and mimosa are beautiful blooming (and fragrant!) patio or specimen trees. Bird of paradise is a large shrub (12 feet) that bears large yellow flowers with long red stamens. Very exotic! Our native mockorange has exquisitely fragrant blossoms and grows in part shade. Blue mist is putting on its beautiful blue blooms right now. For all around versatility, you can't beat (non native) rosemary. It is evergreen, blooms twice a year and provides seasoning for your rosemary bread." Contact Gardener'Guild for the best places to buy perennials in top condition.
For their health, bring in tender plants!
If they don't like the cold, now is the time to start moving them indoors. Some parts of Albuquerque quickly reach freezing temperatures, and tropicals in particular prefer to remain at temperatures well above 60 degrees.
| AUTUMN HABITAT '08 Be sure to water once/month! Perennials need moisture year 'round so watch for rain and mark it on your calendar. No rain for three weeks? Be sure to hand water trees, shrubs and bulbs. PREPARING YOUR SPACE FOR FALL... After clearing comes creativity! Do double-duty and craft something to improve the air quality, maybe an accessory that also freshens the atmosphere, making best use of garden materials and household chotchk. You may have supplies right outside your door. Rosemary, lavender sprigs, basil seed heads and pine cones are all good ingredients for natural aromatherapy right from the garden.
~Make seasonal garlands. construction paper or popcorn, there are lots of festive possibilities. Start today to make something spirited for Thanksgiving, or string together a festive design for December holidays and New Years with friends or family.
~Make your own potpourri. clip dried basil seed heads, berries, and other interesting elements from the outdoors. Rosemary is almost a must, with it's air freshening properties. During the dry cold months, one day is needed to air-dry most ingredients that work well for potpourri. If kept for months, dry ingredients a few days. Store in a sealed glass jar. A pretty bowl can display it. PROTECTING & PROVIDING FOR WILDLIFE is most important in the winter, when shelter is crucial and food is scarce. However, now it the time to make your list! Birdhouses can be harder to find or you might like to construct your own. Take a moment to consider what elements you'd like to add, and put a date in October to have your supplies!
SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY WITH THESE EASY AND ENJOYABLE ACTIVITIES.
+ Plant perennials- this is the perfect time to improve next year's bloom.
+ Plant a small tree- while big trees can be difficult, a small tree will be ready to grow come next spring, with winter watering. Email your questions about type and placement.
+ Recycle yard debris- DON'T go to the dump or fill your trash can for a modest amount of yard waste. Put your waste to work by bagging it and bringing it to GG for compost collection by Soilutions. They will do the work for you, And provide quality compost, thanks to your efforts.
+ Rally your neighbors- register as a GoodNeighbor Garden group to organize, grow food this winter and exchange fresh, healthy produce. Greens are some of the most nutritious and rewarding varieties to grow -- they keep on giving. GG can tell you how.
+ Grill it- saves energy, improves nutrition and brings people together. Now that beautiful fall weather is on the way, move your hibachi back into place and get cookin'!
+ Canning and food preservation- take a Saturday in September and October to enjoy easy food preparation and education in a social setting.
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