Another gardening question... re: perennials

[Rerun]

Should you do anything to perennial flowers/plants in the fall to prepare for the next growing season?

What about fruit trees such as crab apple? Do you do anything or just let them be.

[Methanolic]

let all the growth die, Then clip all of it off. don't try pulling dead stuff off or you may take some of the root system out.

I think fruit trees pretty much take care of them selves, you may want to remove any old fruit left on the tree, but that's only to keep it from rotting on the ground.

[Ford Prefect]

Some perennials like to have mulch or some such cover over them after they've been pruned. And some shrubs, like roses, should be wrapped with burlap. If cedars/junipers are in an exposed, windy location they sometimes need to be wrapped with burlap too ... especially when younger. Yews and other such shrubs like that which are not rated for this temperate zone in particular need to be wrapped.

[DOK]

When do crab apples become ready to pick? I have a tree that's massively full but not falling off yet. They are always sour, so having a hard time determining that way. Sorry to interrupt the thread, but figured it was on the same thought.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Some perennials like to have mulch or some such cover over them after they've been pruned. And some shrubs, like roses, should be wrapped with burlap. If cedars/junipers are in an exposed, windy location they sometimes need to be wrapped with burlap too ... especially when younger. Yews and other such shrubs like that which are not rated for this temperate zone in particular need to be wrapped.

Never wrap with burlap. You can make a burlap wall.

http://www.renegadegardener.com/cont...that2004.htm#1

Only some borderline hardy roses need protection. There are plenty of hardy roses here.

In regards to perennials, you can leave the old growth on and just cut it back in spring (or never, if you're really lazy) if you wish.

[redforever]

I do not cut off all the growth from my perennial flowers. I cut off maybe one third, leave that on the ground for mulch. Then in spring, I deal with the 2/3 old growth still left and the mulch on the ground.

With all the Chinooks we have in Calgary, I find that some growth helps to hold some snow and moisture.

Also, just before freeze up, so about Halloween, I give my perennial flowers a good soaking. I put on the sprinkler and water each location for one hour. I also do the same for my perennial shrubs etc.

You should water regularily of course, but if you give the deep soak too soon in the fall, the danger is it dries out again before freeze up. So I water about end of October, the ground is not frozen, it will still absorb moisture. Then when it freezes, the water you put on freezes too.