Tips for Your Garden at Summer's End

Cut back. Keep the garden looking tidy by deadheading annuals and perennials that are leggy (they may even rebloom). Fertilize annuals to bring back into active bloom for September until frost.

Weed vigorously. Keep the weeds out to make sure the “good” plants get the sunlight, nutrients, and water they need. Touch up edging and mulches to keep a neat look.

Use interesting foliage. Fill in bare spots with plants with beautiful foliage – heat-tolerant herbs are often a good choice. Use basil, rosemary, variegated sage and golden oregano.

Have you lost some plants in your garden? Here are some more suggestions to fill in "holes":

Although they only last one season, it is not too late to plant annuals. Many heat and drought-tolerant annuals planted in August will establish and bloom from September until frost. Heat and drought-tolerant annuals can also replace other water-demanding annuals that have succumbed to drought. Use them to fill in a perennial garden or containers where color is desired as a focal point in the fall garden.

Some good heat and drought-tolerant annuals include cosmos, marigold, salvia, zinnia and celosia. Some of these can be seeded directly into the soil – in the case of cosmos, both orange and pink varieties come into bloom in about 21 days. Marigolds also germinate and bloom quickly. If you want immediate results, check for these plants at nurseries and garden centers (they are often discounted by this time of year!) All establish well and give months of pleasurable bloom.

When garden-hardy chrysanthemums become available, select and plant them in late August or early September before flowers open (most have color tags to indicate floral effects.) Space at least one hand’s width apart. Planting chrysanthemums before they bloom helps establish the root system, resulting in longer-lasting flowers. These plants will brighten up any fall garden and extend the enjoyment until spring- flowering bulbs are planted in late October or early November.