GARDENING: Now is the time to get started on next year's garden

(Monika Rekola photo)

Gladiolus, burgundy canna lilies, and orange marigolds are bold summer bloomers that bring a vibrant energy to both the garden and your arrangements.

Gladiolus, with their stunning, orchid-like blooms and fancy ruffles, come in an incredible range of colours. Traditionally red, orange, yellow, purple, or white, today’s varieties offer modern tones like maroon, mauve, peach, apricot and buttery cream, along with beautiful bi-colour and tri-colour options.

And let's give marigolds the respect they deserve.

Often underrated, marigolds are both reliable and beautiful,  blooming consistently all the way until October. Their vibrant orange blooms perfectly complement the rich burgundy of canna lilies, creating a striking contrast. Plus, those lush canna lily leaves make a fantastic filler for  arrangements, adding texture and depth. For an extra wow factor, pair them with vibrant yellow or electric  purple gladiolus for a dynamic and eye-catching display.

Glads are also incredibly easy and inexpensive to grow. Plant the corms in full sun with well-draining soil after  the last frost, and in about 90 days, you'll have waist-high stems ready for harvest. Stagger planting every two  weeks from late spring through early summer, and you'll enjoy continuous blooms right into fall.

As the sun lowers and the days shorten, these late-summer blooms remind us to appreciate the garden’s  abundance, offering a perfect blend of nostalgia and beauty.

September Garden Tasks: Get Your Hands Dirty and Keep Planting

Ah, September — the time of year when the air starts to cool, and most people begin packing away their summer clothes and gardening tools, talking about their spring plans.

But let me tell you a little secret: Fall is a FANTASTIC time to plant. Yep, you heard me, it’s not too late to give your garden a head start for next year.

Fall is the perfect time to plant perennials, shrubs, and even trees. Why? The cooler temperatures mean less heat stress on new plants, and there’s still plenty of time for them to establish strong roots before the winter frost.

Plus, there’s less weed pressure in fall, making it easier for your plants to settle in and thrive without competition.

If you’ve been dreaming of a garden with continued seasonal interest, now’s the time to plan it out and start planting. The bonus? Many garden centres are having sales, so you can score great deals on perennials and  shrubs that will help fill out your landscape. Head to the garden centre and see what’s available. You might just find the perfect addition to your yard.

While you’re out in the garden, don’t forget to divide those overgrown daylilies, Shasta daisies, and purple  coneflowers. They’ve had all summer to grow thick and full, and now’s the time to give them some breathing  room. Grab your shovel, dig into those dense clumps, and start splitting them up. Not only does this keep your garden healthy and tidy, but it also gives you new plants to spread around or share with friends.

Fall is the best time to plant trees because the cooler temperatures reduce transplant shock and allow roots to establish before the ground freezes. If you’re planting new shrubs or trees, think about adding ones that bring interest through all four seasons. Trees like maples or birches offer stunning fall colours while evergreen shrubs provide structure through the winter months.

Late September to early October is an ideal time to plant garlic. Plant cloves pointy side up about two to three inches deep and cover with mulch to protect them over the winter.

Sow a cover crop such as clover, rye, or oats in your vegetable beds. This adds nutrients back into the soil and prevents erosion.

Compost: With an abundance of fallen leaves, vegetable scraps, and spent plants, this is a perfect time to  bulk up your compost bin. Chop up larger items to speed up decomposition, and layer green materials (like grass clippings) with brown materials (like dry leaves) for a balanced compost mix.

Add mulch for winter protection: Mulching around trees, shrubs, and perennials insulates the soil, conserves moisture, and suppresses weeds over winter. It's vital to choose chemical-free organic mulch  like shredded leaves or wood chips.

Unlike synthetic options, organic mulch enriches the soil as it  decomposes, supporting soil health naturally. Adding wood chips to your garden not only helps prevent  topsoil erosion but also adds that dash of pizzazz you're looking for.

The neighbourly chat is back. Let’s look at alternatives to bagging leaves and compelling reasons to switch it up.

Hugo: [sips his cider] "Ah, fall... cider, pumpkin carving and the annual war against these leaves. I swear, Gertrude, if I have to rake one more pile, I’m gonna lose it."

Gertrude: [smirking] "Well, you’re in luck, Hugo. How about this year, I handle the leaves? I’ll rake them  into my garden beds, and you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your cider without breaking a sweat."

Hugo: [skeptical] "What’s the catch, Gertrude? Have you finally lost your marbles? Have you been chatting with your ‘eco-guru’ mother, Gaia Earthmama Suzuki, again?"

Gertrude: [laughs] "Of course! Earthmama Suzuki says leaving the leaves is like setting up a cozy winter retreat for butterflies, moths, ground-nesting bees... all those little critters need that leaf litter to survive. It’s basically an eco-friendly B&B for them."

(Illustration by Monika and Rita Rekola)

Hugo: [snorts] "Earthmama Suzuki, huh? Sounds like something out of a 70’s folk band. You’re really selling this, Gert."

Gertrude: Everyone’s always talking about the monarch butterfly migration—and it’s incredible, don’t get me wrong—but did you know that most butterflies and moths spend their winters much closer to home? While monarchs are flying off to Mexico, many of our local butterflies and moths are right here, hunkering down in our own backyards. They overwinter as eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, or even adults. Like swallowtail butterflies, they camouflage their chrysalises as dried leaves, blending right in with the fallen ones. And woolly bear caterpillars? They curl up into the leaf layers for the winter.”

Hugo: [raising an eyebrow] "So, all those little guys are just chilling in the leaves for the season?"

Gertrude: [nodding] "Exactly! And it’s not just butterflies. Bumblebee queens burrow into the ground  and love a nice leafy blanket for insulation. Plus, those insects hiding in the leaf layer? They’re a  perfect fall buffet for birds like thrashers. You’ve seen them tossing leaves around, right? They’re hunting for insects under the leaves."

Hugo: "What’s Gaia Earthmama think about bagging leaves?"

Gertrude: [mocking horror] "Oh, she would be horrified. Bagging leaves is practically criminal. You’re removing natural nutrients from the ecosystem, throwing away bug habitats, and filling up landfills with perfectly good mulch!"

Hugo: [laughs] "Well, I certainly don’t want to upset the mighty Earthmama. Please do your thing and  get rid of my leaves to keep my curb-side appeal in an ecological way, all the power to you. But I’m  keeping my eye on you—if I catch you chanting over my yard, I’m calling someone."

Gertrude: [clinking her mug with his] "Cheers, Hugo. To saving the soil, feeding the bugs, and  keeping Earthmama proud!"

(Monika Rekola photo)

Moths in various life stages, like this caterpillar of the American dagger moth, search for overwintering spots to tuck into for winter, places that are more abundant in a garden with a looser fall cleanup regimen.

Raking leaves into your flower beds and vegetable gardens, or using them as mulch, is the ideal balance for a  healthy landscape. If the leaf layer is just an inch or two thick, leave it in place—it provides excellent insulation for  ground-nesting bees and caterpillars. When leaves pile up, rake them into garden beds or along the edges of your  yard where they can naturally decompose.

See the wondrous fall landscapes, filled with brilliant reds, yellows and oranges. But before you start raking, know  that leaves are not litter. They’re nature’s butterfly nursery and a free source of mulch and fertilizer. So, put your  feet up and try a little wildness this fall.

Monika Rekola is a certified landscape designer and horticulturist, passionate about  gardening and sustainable living. As a budding homesteader and garden writer, she  shares her love for recycling, repurposing and birdwatching. Monika is dedicated to ecological gardening, aiming to balance our delicate ecosystem. Contact her at [email protected].