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Incredible edibles, flowers and fall leaves
Sustainable living › Natural gardening › How to garden naturally › Fall edibles and flowers Fall edibles and flowers
Flavorful foods, fantastic flowers, and fertile soil are yours for the making this fall. And you’re not alone. Nature is at the ready to help you grow a great garden that’s safe for people, pets and local wildlife.
By Carl Grimm, Metro natural gardening and toxics reduction specialist
Grow your own gourmet greens
With a few seed packets and some quality time in the yard, you can harvest greens all winter long. And thanks to naturally low temperatures, pests are few and leaves stay tender and sweet. Rich, nutty arugulas; multicolored lettuces; earthy-bitter escarole; and mild-flavored mache liven my sowing list for fall. Broccoli’s buddies – kale, purple mustard and bok choy, to name a few – also can be planted as seedlings at this time. Starts of rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and other Mediterranean herbs can go into the ground now, too. Throughout the year, you’ll pique your palate and impress your friends and family with fresh-picked herbs at the table.
Plant natives now for flowers later
Contrary to popular belief, native plants aren’t just for the birds. You can enjoy a “florific” spring, summer and fall and feed your fine-feathered friends, too. The trick? Picking the right plants and getting them into the ground soon so they can soak up the winter rains. I go for a diversity of blooms in every season. Spring belongs to red-flowering currant, bright-yellow Oregon grape, and white-and-purple trillium. Summer sparkles with purple penstemon, white yarrow and pink Douglas spirea. For fall-to-winter color, be sure to plant lavender asters, seaside daisies and red-twig dogwood. All tend to thrive naturally, without pesticides or fertilizers, making them easy to grow and safe for people, pets and wildlife.
Leave your leaves for beetles and trees
Let your leaves lie on bare soil where they fall. No need to rake. You’ll save time and soil. Leaves protect the earth from eroding in winter rains and wind. They also add nutrients to the soil while slowly decomposing, feeding the roots of tall trees and tiny plants alike. Leaf mulch provides food and shelter for myriad soil organisms that in turn feed beneficial black ground beetles and many birds in dire need of winter food. Plus, leaves left on the soil help retain moisture and reduce watering needs. But be sure not to pile leaves against plant stems or tree trunks; this precaution will help prevent fungal diseases.
See what teaming up with nature can do? With happy soil, homegrown greens and fall blossoms, it’s easy to give thanks this harvest season.