Who Can Resist A Chance To Go Back To Shcool?

I have always contended that fall is the busiest time of year for gardeners. There is always so much to do and so little time to do it. A long list of chores can be cut off prematurely by frozen ground and a blanket of white. So before that snow flies, let’s get a few things accomplished - that is, starting Monday. This weekend is packed full of gardening events that we just can’t miss.

The Inland Empire District Garden Clubs are hosting their fall garden show - A Garden Affair - Saturday and Sunday at Center Pointe, 1408 N. Washington. You’ll see exquisite floral arrangements and horticultural displays. You might wish to bring along a pad and pencil for taking notes at the many workshops being offered.

Saturday’s workshops commence with a presentation on landscaping with perennials and roses by antique rose expert Gerry Krueger. Master composter Donna Shore will then present an excellent seminar on turning your fall garden debris into earthy compost. WSU Master Gardener Jack Gross will help us understand the whys and hows of creating a small, serene Japanese garden. And to round the day out, WSU Master Gardener and vegetable garden expert Dave Swett will instruct us on the benefits of adding leaves, manures and all that good stuff into the soil this time of year. On Saturday, seminars begin at 1 p.m.

Beginning Sunday at noon, Mike Jennings will show us how to take old broken concrete sidewalks and turn them into picturesque retaining walls. If you thought growing orchids was difficult in our area, Candace Parr, president of the Spokane Orchid Society, may change your mind. Herb growers, Roy and Faye Huckaby will tempt your palate with samples of tasty herbs. And finally, Nancy Cashon, WSU horticulture assistant for the Extension office, concludes the day by letting us know what insects have been bugging our bushes and posies all summer long.

After attending this affair, you may find yourself adding to your list of things to do. The hours for the Garden Affair are 12:30-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday; there is a $3 admission charge.

The apple festival on Greenbluff also begins this weekend, and it runs all month long. This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase fresh apples, pears, plums, pumpkins, squash, potatoes, carrots, fall raspberries, grapes, gourds and cabbage. All of these fruits and vegetables can be stored easily for delicious winter meals.

While on the bluff, make sure to leave room in your satchel for homemade butters and jams, fresh pies and honey, a few crafts and a gallon of pressed apple cider.

While out and about this weekend, you may notice that many of the nurseries and garden centers are having fabulous end-of-the-season sales. Take advantage of them. They’re well worth it. Even if you’re not ready to plant this fall, if you know that’s the plant you’ll eventually purchase, get it. Simply heel it into the ground, container and all, and plant it next spring.

Properly transporting plants to their new home is important any time of the year. Before placing twiggy or tender-branched plants into the car or truck, pull the branches in tight against each other. Secure them by wrapping them with twine. This simple step will help reduce wind damage to limbs, twigs and leaves. Always try to lay the plants down.

When the plants arrive home, untie the branches, fluff them apart and water the plant thoroughly. Also spray the leaves and needles with water. This will help combat water loss through evaporation and transpiration.

Plant the plants as soon as possible. Make sure the hole is dug first and it is the right size and depth for the rootball. Remove all containers, including the burlap. Loosen the root ball by cutting through the roots or removing some of the compacted soil around the ball. Place the plant into the hole. Add water and soil to form a muddy solution over the rootball.

With that, you’re on your way to a gorgeous garden next spring.

For the rest of this month, we’ll continue to look at the “to-do’s” on our fall chore list.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Phyllis Stephens The Spokesman-Review