Fall is a fabulous time to garden

By DEBBIE WARHURST CAPP

In many ways, fall is one of the best seasons for gardening. It’s a beautiful time of year, not only the changing colors of the foliage but the gorgeous berries and flowers. The growing conditions are ideal for planting trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs and lawns. And the sunny days and cool evenings make working in the garden a treat.

Fall color

Whether it’s a stroll through the park or a drive through the mountains, we all enjoy the beauty and color of trees in the fall. It’s exciting to see the entire landscape transform into an amazing blaze of color.

You can bring the splendor of fall to your garden. Merrifield Garden Center carries a wide selection of gorgeous trees and shrubs that will add to your enjoyment of the fall season and throughout the year.

Plant gorgeous trees, such as black gum, crape myrtle, maples and stewartia, and shrubs, such as burning bush, fothergilla and witch hazel, with dazzling leaves in rich gold, burnt orange, brilliant burgundy and vibrant red colors.

The list of plants with fall interest is endless. Our best suggestion is to visit Merrifield Garden Center and see what we have to offer to make your garden so beautiful and inviting that you’ll never want to leave home.

If you want to add some of this beauty — and who doesn’t — this is a great time to plant. The soil is still warm, encouraging quick establishment of the roots, while the days are getting shorter and cooler, reducing the heat stress on you and your plants.

Replace faded summer annuals with pansies, mums, ornamental grasses and other seasonal color to spruce up your front entryway, garden beds, deck and patio. A few small touch ups can make a noticeable impact.

Plant bulbs now

When the leaves begin to change color, it’s time to think of spring. Spring? Yes, spring.

Now is the time to pick up spring-blooming bulbs. You’ll be thrilled you did! There’s nothing quite like seeing the cheerful colors of crocus, grape hyacinths and daffodils popping up through the snow-covered ground to let you know that warm, sunny days will soon be here.

Merrifield Garden Center offers an incredible selection of bulbs, including traditional favorites and the exciting new varieties that everyone’s talking about.

Planting bulbs is fun and easy to do. Most bulbs need eight to 12 weeks of cool, moist conditions prior to flowering. For best results, be sure to plant your bulbs before Christmas.

Fertilize your lawn

The good news is that fall is the best time of year to give your lawn a facelift. So if your lawn is harboring some annoying weeds or those stubborn rough patches have deteriorated into full-blown eyesores, now is the time to do something about it.

In just one growing season, you can do wonders. A beautiful, lush, dark green lawn doesn’t have to be something that you admire from afar. It can be yours with just a little planning and effort through seeding, fertilizing, applying lime and controlling weeds.

We encourage you to speak with one of Merrifield Garden Center’s turf experts about building the beautiful lawn that you’ve always wanted.

At Merrifield Garden Center, you’ll find everything you need and more than you can imagine to bring out the best in your fall garden.