Posts Tagged bulbs
Fall Planting Guide for California: Sowing the Seeds of Spring
As summer’s heat begins to fade and the days grow shorter, September marks the perfect time to start planting for a vibrant spring garden in California. The mild temperatures and occasional rain showers create ideal conditions for seeds and young plants to establish strong roots before winter dormancy. At DK Landscaping, we’re passionate about helping you make the most of this planting season, ensuring your garden bursts with color and life come springtime.
Flowers to Plant in September
Embrace the anticipation of spring by planting these stunning flowers now:
- Bulbs: September is prime time for planting spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, and anemones. These beauties will add pops of color and cheer to your garden as the days grow longer.
- Wildflowers: Consider sowing a wildflower mix for a naturalized and pollinator-friendly display. California poppies, lupines, and clarkias are excellent choices for a vibrant spring meadow.
- Cool-season annuals: Pansies, violas, primroses, and snapdragons thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall and winter, providing early color to your garden.
- Perennials: Fall is an ideal time to divide and transplant perennials or plant new ones. Consider options like columbine, coreopsis, and penstemon for long-lasting beauty.
Vegetables to Plant in September
Extend your harvest season and enjoy fresh produce throughout the fall and winter by planting these vegetables:
- Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula, and Swiss chard thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall and winter.
- Brassicas: Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage are perfect for fall planting, as they prefer milder conditions.
- Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, radishes, and turnips can be sown in September for a late fall or winter harvest.
- Alliums: Plant garlic and shallots in September for a flavorful harvest next summer.
Shrubs to Plant in September
Add structure and year-round interest to your landscape by planting shrubs in the fall:
- Evergreen Shrubs: Ceanothus, manzanita, and toyon provide beautiful foliage and attract pollinators.
- Flowering Shrubs: Consider planting camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons for stunning spring blooms.
- Fruiting Shrubs: Plant blueberries, raspberries, and currants in the fall for a delicious harvest next year.
Essential Tips for Successful Fall Planting
- Prepare Your Soil: Amend your soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
- Choose the Right Location: Consider each plant’s sun and shade requirements when choosing a planting spot.
- Water Wisely: Water deeply and less frequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Protect from Pests: Monitor your plants for signs of pests and take preventative measures to protect them.
- Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
DK Landscaping: Your Partner in Fall Planting
At DK Landscaping, we understand the unique needs of California gardens. Our team of experts can guide you through the fall planting process, providing personalized recommendations and professional installation services to ensure your garden thrives.
Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you create a stunning spring garden that will bring joy and beauty for years to come.
Remember, fall planting is an investment in the future of your landscape. By taking advantage of this ideal planting season, you can create a vibrant and flourishing garden that welcomes spring with open arms.
What’s Growing On?
Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul. ~ Luther Burbank
Around this time of year I start to get spring fever, that urge to go outside and dig around and plant something. Even if you naturally don’t have a green thumb, flower gardening allows you to use your artistic playful side, being outside in nature soothes your soul, and a beautiful flower garden increases the curb appeal of your home. One of the first things a flower gardener learns is that there is not one date when it is best to plant all flowers.
This group of exotic and tropical summer bloomers can be planted right now and all through April in most of the country; planting times for colder regions of the North are typically from April to June, depending on the bulb.
Cannas are a personal favorite for their showy, tropical-like flowers and vibrantly-colored or variegated banana-like leaves. Dahlias offer numerous flower types from dazzling daisies, to showy pom poms, to show-stopping colorful blooms. Other note-worthy spring-planted bulbs include gladiolus, windflower (Anemone coronaria), pineapple lily (Eucomis), freesia, summer hyacinth (Galtonia), begonia, red hot poker (Kniphofia), Asiatic and Oriental lilies (Lilium), and Aztec lily (Sprekelia). 
So start by finding an empty spot in your yard that you see frequently that could use some color. If you don’t have an open bed, remove a patch of lawn in front of shrubs. Measure the size and note what time of day and how long the sun shines on that spot. Consider the following when designing your garden: hardiness, color, fragrance, height, time of bloom and size of plant. Do you want to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, or song birds? Or are you trying to create a work of beauty just for you? Next, visit your favorite full service nursery. They will help you pick out the right flowers for that spot. And be sure to ask about fertilizer, weed preventer and mulch.
Here are three easy ways to start planting your summer bulbs:
- Start with bulbs that are plump, firm and feel heavy for their size. Prep the soil by working a complete fertilizer into the entire bed or bottom of planting holes.
- Arrange the bulbs in groups or random clusters, then plant them at the depth recommended on the package with the pointed side or sprouting side facing up.
- Cover the bulbs with soil mixed with compost and keep the soil moist to slightly moist from planting until the foliage of the mature plant dies back.
One of the biggest things about gardening is the upkeep, depending on the plants and flowers you choose this can require little maintenance or high maintenance. Be realistic about your daily scheduled and how much effort you are willing to put in weekly to maintain your gardens.
Work all day? Busy with kids? Then opt for low maintenance plants that need very little maintenance or call DK Landscaping to keep your yard looking beautiful all year long! (707) 280-3632.
