How to choose flowers resistant to animal nibbles
Many gardeners have issues with deer and rabbits browsing their gardens. Deer have a particular fondness for tulips in the spring.
In addition to daffodils, Allium, or ornamental onions, are some of the best bulbs to plant for resistance to animal browsing and come in many varieties. Try the popular June-blooming Globemaster with a 10-inch pinkish-purple flower on a 2- to 3-foot stem; it lasts up to a month. The drumstick onion, Allium sphaerocephalon, has reliable burgundy blossoms about 1-inch wide. Allium moly, lily leek, is a small species that is 10 to 14 inches tall with yellow flowers. These are just a few of the many ornamental onions that can be grown with little effort in Midwestern gardens if planted this fall. Daffodils and ornamental onions are also easy to grow.
Tips for best fall blooms
Try to buy mums and asters when their flower buds are just beginning to open. The color will last longer in your garden.
Generally, the flowers of mums and asters will last for four to six weeks, depending on weather conditions. Season extender mums will be available later in the season and can extend color through October and sometimes later, depending on weather.
If you are planting mums into a shady site, then it is best to wait until the flowers are more open before planting. If the mums are tight in bud and then planted into a shady area, the flowers may not open.
Typically, pansies will not develop much in the autumn season, so it is best to buy large plants that are in full flower to install in your garden. Also, plant them close together for a better show.
Seed bare spots in lawn
There is still time to seed bare spots in your lawn. Be sure to loosen up the soil before spreading and raking in the grass seed. Water lightly as needed (can be twice a day on warm, sunny days) to keep the seed moist. Blue grass generally takes about two weeks to germinate. Once the lawn area has a good covering of sprouted grass, your watering should shift to being less frequent and deeper.
Watering still needed
Check your gardens for dry plants and spot water as needed. Wilting plants are a sign that you should give them additional water.
• Tim Johnson is director of horticulture at Chicago Botanic Garden, chicagobotanic.org.