Xylem & Phloem

This morning has been, in one word, SPECTACULAR. Sunny, breezy and temperatures in the low 70s - what more could a fall-dreamer ask for?

At Xylem & Phloem signs of autumn abound. My appropriately named 'Autumn Joy' Sedum is coming into bloom, gourds are swinging from their tree-climbing vines, and roses are budding with their second flush of flowers...

I'm excited to get back into the garden after a long summer of traveling. Are you ready for this next exciting season of gardening?

Find some timely tips for fall gardening after the jump. 

Here are some "timely tips" for fall from garden gurus around the country:

• Before moving houseplants inside when cooler temperatures arrive, check plants carefully for mites, scale, mealybugs and other such pests. (When taking a coleus cutting last night, I noticed some scale.) It's easier to control these pests while plants are still outside. And make the move gradually. Move plants accustomed to bright sun to a shady spot for a few days before bringing indoors.

• Webworms taking over your trees? Blast webs with a water hose. Breaking up the webs exposes the worms to birds and other prey that will happily gobble them up.

• Start planning for your fall vegetable garden. Research disease and pest resistant varieties of broccoli, swiss chard, lettuce, kale and other cool-weather vegetables. 
  

• Perform a soil test. It's a good idea to test soil once the major growing season begins to wane. Different fruits and vegetables will have consumed different amounts of nutrients from the soil; before planting for the fall season, find out exactly what your soil needs.
  

• Mulch, mulch, and more mulch! Companies like Living Earth Technologies can deliver precise mulch quantities directly to your house, at an overall cost much lower than purchasing individual bags of mulch from a garden center.
  

More fall garden pics after the jump.