Fall Gardening Tips

(CBS) -- Fall gardening tips from Tim Pollack at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

1. Overwintering Dahlias and Cannas

-Dig before the first hard frost, they can tolerate temps in the low 30's and light frost, which is good to let the plants start to go dormant

-cut back to 1-2" from bas of tubers

-Remove soil and any broken and large roots

-Carefully wash the tubers, and let dry out for 2-3 days

-Store the tubers in dry peat moss, sawdust, or mulch

2. Still time to plant your bulbs, Tulips, Narcissus, Hyacinths, etc.

-Still plenty of time to plant your bulbs

-take advantage of end-of-season sales and discounts

-Plant before the soil freezes, thru December or January depending weather

-Correct planting height general rule= 4X the height of the bulbs

-Deer and rabbit resistant bulbs: Narcissus, Hyacinths

-Forcing Hyacinths in your refrigerators, need 12-15 weeks of cold temperatures to flower, or use pre-cooled bulbs

3. Planting Garlic and Shallots
–Still time to plant thru end of November, order online is best, but starting to sell-out
-Don't plant grocery store garlic, not usually hardy
-Should plant "Hardneck" types vs "Softneck" types, as they are hardier
-Good garlic varieties for this area: 'German Extra hardy', 'Music', 'Chesnok Red'

4. Garden Planning for Next Year:
-Thinking about your garden next year 2015
-Great time to remember what plants were good, or bad?
-Ask yourself what varieties of vegetables and flowers performed the best or not so good?
-What projects or plans do you have for next year? Add or removing plants? Divide perennials? Pruning for winter and next spring?
-Take pictures now to help remember your thoughts or ideas, also helps with knowing where bulbs are planted too
-Write your notes down in garden journal or keep notes on your cell phone.