To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
Ecc. 3:1
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
Ecc. 3:1
Plant spring-flowering bulbs before the first hard frost. Toss any bulbs that have soft spots. If tulips are missing their papery covering, they’re fine to plant, as long as bulbs are firm.
It’s also the time to pot bulbs for forcing into bloom for some color inside the house during the gray days of winter. I especially like to force paper whites because they don’t require a chilling period. I usually plant them in shallow soil, with 1/3 to a ½ inch of the stem end uncovered. Water regularly, but sparingly, just keeping soil moist, and keep them in indirect light. You should have blooms in about 6 weeks. Hyacinths, tulips and daffodils can also be forced, but the process is longer. Check label instructions.
If you’re using pumpkins and gourds for decorating outside this fall, place a brick or flat rock beneath them to keep them from touching the ground. This will help keep pests and moisture off of them, and they’ll last longer.
I really like coleus for the color they add to potted plants and to garden beds, but they’re not hardy enough to survive being left out during the winter. The good news is that they will root easily in water. Just take some cuttings several inches long, remove any leaves that will be below the water line, and put them in a jar of water. Put the jar in a sunny spot inside your house (like a kitchen window), and refill the water as needed. Within a short period, you should see roots start to emerge. When the roots get about 2 inches long, transplant the cuttings to a small pot filled with potting soil. Continue to water and move to a larger pot when needed. You’ll have coleus ready to transplant into pots and beds next spring.
We all know about Spring Cleaning and getting ready to open up our homes to the warmer weather that’s coming. But what about Fall Cleaning? We’re about to start spending more time inside as the temperatures drop and the air chills. Here are some things to do in each area of your home to get ready for the cozy closeness of fall and winter.
Porch/deck/patio: Starting at the entrance to your home, use a broom to brush down any cobwebs or dust bunnies that have formed. Shake off your door mat (or maybe replace it with a seasonal one), then sweep off any dust that’s gathered on your porch/deck over the summer. Spray it off with a hose to get it fresh and clean, and clean the glass on your storm door.
Kitchen: Go through your pantry and cabinets and throw away any expired items. Replace any ground spices that are 6 months to a year old because they lose flavor over time. If you have several that need to be replaced, it can be expensive, so just do one or two each time you do your grocery shopping until you’ve completed the list.
Clean your appliances and your kitchen trash can – inside and out.
Wipe down the surface of your cabinets to remove any greasy film. Use a mixture of 1 gallon of warm water and a few drops of dish soap on a cloth, and then wipe them with a clean wet cloth to remove any soap residue.
Bedrooms: Wash blankets and other winter bedding before putting them on your bed.
Flip and rotate your mattress.
Living Areas: Clean High: Dust ceiling fans, ceiling corners, bookshelves and frames around wall art.
Clean Low: Wipe down base boards and clean stains on carpet and rugs (check cleaning instructions first).
In the middle: Vacuum upholstered furniture; dust wooden pieces.
Closets: swap out summer clothes for winter clothes. As you’re in the process, weed through anything that doesn’t fit or you don’t wear any longer and donate it.
HVAC and Safety: Change filters; test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Now the fun part – Add wreaths, pumpkins, cozy throws and pillows, and seasonal candles or Pot Pourri (or both!) to welcome autumn and your guests!