Monthly Archives: September 2024

Best Plants for a Stunning Fall Display

We’ve made it through the summer heat—congratulations! By now, those spring plants are probably looking a little tired. After months of blooming, even with the best care, your garden might need a refresh. But don’t worry—this is the perfect time to reimagine your space with fresh plants! We’ve got plenty of late summer and fall options to bring new life to your landscape.

Summer Annuals That Shine in Fall
Some summer annuals can still thrive as the weather cools. Here are a few to consider:

Marigolds

Marigolds

  • Gomphrena – Thrives in heat and transitions beautifully into fall.
  • Marigolds – These cheerful flowers offer vibrant fall colors. Plant them deep for extra support as they grow.
  • Cosmos – Add whimsical charm with these delicate blooms. Just keep them deadheaded for the best display.

 

 

Mums (Chrysanthemums)

Fall Favorites
Certain plants that just scream “fall”:

  • Chrysanthemums (Mums) – Choose mums with buds just starting to show color for the longest bloom time. Handle with care, as their stems can be brittle.
  • Petunias – They love cooler fall temperatures and need less trimming than in summer.

 

 

 

Ornamental Kale

Transitioning to Winter Plants
As it gets cooler, think about classic cold-weather plants like:

  • Pansies
  • Snapdragons
  • Ornamental Cabbage and Kale

These will keep your garden vibrant even as temperatures drop.

Asters

 

Perennials for Fall Color
Don’t forget perennials! They can add late-season interest:

  • Salvias – Many varieties are perennials and will return year after year.
  • Asters – Great for adding purple or blue tones.
  • Goldenrod (Fireworks) – Offers a burst of yellow blooms in late summer and fall.

Don’t Forget to Mix and Match
Combine these plants for stunning fall displays. Mums with marigolds, petunias with cosmos—the possibilities are endless! Need advice or fresh inspiration? Come see us at Oak Street Garden Shop, and let’s keep your garden beautiful all year round!

Autumn Arrivals: Pumpkins, Fresh Blooms, and Seasonal Updates

Pumpkins & Gourds

Fall is here, and to prove it, our first loads of all things Autumn have arrived. We have the most beautiful pumpkins and gourds for your decorating needs, for adorning a porch, or for creating groupings at your front entrance. Come see our selection – the colors and shapes are amazing, and we’ll continue adding to it as the season progresses.

Petunias

We know many of you have had difficulty keeping your plantings looking good through August. But not to worry; this is normal. As we mentioned in a previous post, fresh marigolds, and cosmos have been available to remedy this dire situation. Now, we can also add celosia and petunias to the mix, herbs, and other annuals and perennials.

Unfortunately, it is too early to plant pansies and violas, as the temperatures need to be consistently cooler for them to be happy and do well. We anticipate getting the first shipments of them at the beginning of October.

We are so thankful for the recent rains and hope your landscape has benefited from them.

Ozzy & Liam

Finally, if you are in the neighborhood, please keep a lookout for Liam and give him some extra love… We lost his buddy Ozzie a short time ago to cancer, and we’re all still missing him tremendously. Liam and he were very close, and we know he’s grieving too. Thank you for your love and support of our special fur baby. 

Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you soon!

Avoid These Common End-of-Summer Gardening Mistakes

As summer ends, it’s easy to let garden maintenance slide. But if you want your garden to thrive into fall and winter, avoiding some common end-of-summer mistakes is essential. Here’s what to keep in mind as you prepare your garden for the cooler months.

Weeds

🌱 Mistake 1: Letting Weeds Take Over
Weeds are still active in late summer, and if you let them go to seed, you’ll have more trouble next year. Stay on top of weeding, especially in garden beds, to save yourself work down the line.

💧 Mistake 2: Not Adjusting Your Watering
After a long summer, many continue warm-season watering habits into fall but keep in mind that plant needs change with the seasons.

  • Adjust your irrigation – As fall rains arrive, cut back on automatic watering. If you have a rain sensor, use it to avoid watering during a storm.
  • Watch new plants – Pansies and violas need consistent water as they get established. Avoid overwatering snapdragons.

Boxes of Bulbs

🌷 Mistake 3: Forgetting to Plan for Bulbs
Most people don’t think about bulbs until spring, but fall is the time to plan:

  • October is bulb season – Get your daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths now to ensure a beautiful spring display.
  • Chill your tulips – Tulips need to be chilled before planting, so store them in the fridge before they go into the ground.

🍂 Mistake 4: Neglecting Garden Sanitation
Diseased plant material can lead to more significant problems:

  • Remove diseased foliage – Clearing infected leaves helps prevent fungus or disease from spreading to healthy plants.
  • Rework mulch after the leaves fall – Old mulch can harbor pests or diseases. Replace it, especially under shrubs, to keep your garden healthy. When tidying up, compost spent plants and old mulch (but not weeds!) to help beneficial insects overwinter.
Zinnias and Marigolds

Zinnias and Marigolds

🌻 Mistake 5: Not Prepping for Fall
A little TLC before winter can go a long way. Whether weeding, removing diseased plants, or prepping bulbs, these tasks keep your garden healthy and ready for next season.

Need help? Visit Oak Street Garden Shop for everything you need to prepare your garden for fall and winter!

See you soon!

Advice for New Gardeners: 11 Tips from Oak Street

Kris’s Garden

Gardening is more than just a hobby. It teaches patience, fosters creativity, and has been shown to improve mental health!

Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting out, cultivating a garden can bring immense joy and satisfaction. But where do you begin? There is no shortage of information in books and online that will help you through your gardening journey, but we decided to make it easy. Read below for our list of tips for new gardeners.

  1. Start with the Soil A great garden begins with healthy soil. If you haven’t already, get a soil test to understand your garden’s needs. 

    Kris’ Garden

    Amend accordingly, and consider starting a compost pile for better soil nutrition.

  2. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Dirty There’s something therapeutic about getting your hands in the dirt. Gardening isn’t just good for your plants—it’s good for your soul. Studies show that it can reduce stress and improve your mental health.
  3. Choose Plants with Care When selecting plants, especially groundcovers, be mindful of their growth habits. Certain plants can overrun others or grow too large and create too much shade. It’s a good reminder to consider how plants may behave in your specific space.

    Kris’ Garden

  4. Consistency is Key Spend a little time in your garden every day.
    Even a few minutes of weeding can make a big difference, and your garden will be neat and well-maintained.
  5. Regular Grooming Pays Off Deadheading and grooming your plants regularly will encourage healthy growth and keep your garden looking its best.
  6. Support Your Local Nurseries Frequenting a good independent garden center is one of the best ways to ensure you get healthy plants and expert advice. Local shops are here to help you grow your garden and knowledge.
  7. Embrace Experimentation One of the joys of gardening is trying out new and unfamiliar plants. Don’t be afraid to experiment—there’s always something new to learn, and you might discover a new favorite.
  8. It’s Okay to Start Small There’s no need to invest in large plants immediately.

    Kris’ Garden

    A small shrub in a one-gallon pot will grow just as well, and you’ll get to watch as it grows and matures. In the meantime, you can fill the space with colorful annuals to brighten up your garden.

  9. Protect and Nurture Wildlife Creating a garden that supports local wildlife is incredibly rewarding. Always limit pesticide use, and if you have to use it, choose the least toxic options available.
  10. Keep Learning Gardening is a lifelong journey. There’s always something new to discover, so take advantage of classes, books, blogs, and online resources. The wealth of information out there is truly endless.
  11. Observe and Enjoy Finally, remember that gardening is meant to be enjoyable. Don’t stress if everything doesn’t happen according to plan—gardens are forgiving. Take time to stroll through your space and appreciate what you’ve accomplished.

For those of you who have joined us more recently, we hope these tips inspire you as much as they’ve guided us over the years. And for our longtime readers, we hope this serves as a reminder of the simple joys of gardening.

If you haven’t already, check out our Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channels for more gardening inspiration and to stay up-to-date with what’s happening at Oak Street Garden Shop. 

As always, feel free to stop in and talk plants!

– The team at Oak Street