Comments on: What to Plant Now for Fall Color

By: KAY

KAY — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:06:51 +0000

Lynn,
Really appreciate what you have accomplished there in your urban setting. I bet you have lots of bees who are hungry for some nectar visit your back patio! Alot can be accomplished with the resources we have and the use of second hand and unwanted items and repurposing them. Just got to think outside the box! Keep up the good work! Kay from Ohio

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:10:00 +0000

What plants should I plant for fall color in southern Louisiana?

By: Mimi B

Mimi B — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:25:18 +0000

Beautyberry Jelly’s On A Roll
1 ½ qts. of Beautyberries, washed and clean of green stems and leaves.
Cover with 2 qts. water
Boil 20 minutes and strain to make infusion
Use 3 cups of the infusion, bring to boil, add 1 envelope Sure-Jell and 4 ½ cups sugar. Bring to second boil and boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand until foam forms. Skim off foam, pour into sterilized jars, cap.

By: Pam

Pam — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:37:42 +0000

Good Summer to you Allen, Loved the show that was on June 27th, goats and chickens my two favorite farm critters, My dream of having a small farm was reignited thanks to you:) You and your show inspirational love it… yes you do need a hour, your fans would love that:)

By: Jo Ann T. WI

Jo Ann T. WI — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:53:34 +0000

I enjoy all of the above ideas for fall color. One thing I do every year is to plant lots of flowering kale, in several varieties, sometimes in the ground and this year in multiple pots. As the fall temps get cooler the kale turns more and more purple. Add some bushel basket mums, pumpkins, and gourds and it is a festive fall look!! Enjoy! Jo Ann

By: dotty

dotty — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:35:26 +0000

Hi Allen,
I also think the summer is flying by. I planted a new dawn rose a few years ago and it is beautiful. I have planted alot of the plants you suggested for fall. I am in zone 5 and love lantana. i buy it every year for the humming birds. also a big fan of your shows and have all your books. The garden home retreat is beautiful. I just love moose. Hope to see it someday. Well if the rain ever stops long enough that i can get out and garden i have alot of daylilys to get in. love them

By: Lynn P.

Lynn P. — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:15:41 +0000

Our coleus already thinks it’s autumn, but we’re enjoying our garden now. I uploaded a video of our 16 foot by 16 foot urban container garden. I hope you like it, since you’re the one that taught me most of what I know now.

http://youtu.be/aCuj5qw3G5k

By: Mike Mecke

Mike Mecke — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 02:12:55 +0000

Allen, really like your Sat. Farm & Garden Show. Problem is that it is too short, you need an hour. I am also a chicken lover and would like to see you put a 10-15 min segment on your critters.
But, you need more time…….

I can tell you love cooking, etc., but it sure takes valuable time from your garden, horticulture, landscaping segments. Why don’t you get a cooking show and take it all over there? You would be good on that type of show.

Keep up the good work and work on your sponsors and PBS to get an hour show…….. Mike

By: christine

christine — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:55:57 +0000

…just wanted to say that I think gardeners are the kindest people in the world. I read all the comments you have sent in and am sure this is true. Sharing your insights and tips with others, encouraging newcomers to this fascinating hobby, and keeping this veteran gardener’s interest going after so many years. I have a tip for those who plant bulbs and then forget, in dormant season, where they put them, sometimes slicing into them accidentally. When you first plant bulbs and then cover them up with soil, put a one-inch layer of sand, fish tank gravel or light-colored terrarium sand on top of the planting before you add a very light layer of mulch to top it all off. Let this sand layer extend at least six inches beyond the bulbs below, and next time you put that probing shovel or trowel near the bulbs, the tell-tale sand or gravel will be the warning that you’ll need to prevent damaging those precious bulbs you look forward to seeing later in the season. Use the sand or gravel from old projects or defunct aquariums or get some color-coded gravels and keep a little list of what color goes with particular bulbs or flower colors: blue sand/gravel for crocuses, white for lilies, yellow for daffodils, etc., This is so easy to do and works best if your garden is small and you like detail, or if you have most of your bulbs in an island bed that’s very full. This is a good “kid project” too, and they learn something useful. Best wishes to all gardeners out there.

By: Beverly

Beverly — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:56:31 +0000

The birds will love the berries. As far as I know, people don’t eat them.

By: Sharron M

Sharron M — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:48:45 +0000

My Japanese Anemone have been thriving and spreading for about 6 years in my Northern Indiana sandy soil (slightly amended). This fabulous, care free plant is the highlight of my fall garden.

By: Mary Lou Qualler

Mary Lou Qualler — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:46:25 +0000

It would be great to have some native plants featured that you could recommend. Thanks!

By: Shannon H.

Shannon H. — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:45:45 +0000

I love the Callicarpa Americana. Are the berries edible? Will it withstand the heat of California interior Valeys in full sun?

By: Carole T.

Carole T. — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:42:45 +0000

I live in central IL and I have loads of clay soil. I started a flower garden (70 X 25) in an old foundation and didn’t amend the soil teribbly much this is it’s 3rd season and every thing is doing very well–Russian Sage thrives in the clay as well as the 350 daylilliys I also managed to have some Lavender survive –I took a chance on that Virbena does well and also the Sedum. Sambucus Black Lace does really well and what beautiful color it will survive in your zone 4 I have a plant called Chocolat but can’t remember the rest of it —loves the clay. as well as my grasses and daffodils–good luck.
Carole T.

By: Betty Nelson

Betty Nelson — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:26:47 +0000

I also live in SW South Dakota. I have alot of columbines for late spring and they require very little care, do well in clay soil, can be grown in sun or shade. For fall I have Autumn Joy Sedum which is a succulent that is beautiful and does well in this climate. I also have a Sweet Autumn Clematis that grows on my yard fence and blooms in fall. It is easy, no care required. Just cut back to the ground in the fall. Looks and smells wonderful!

By: stel

stel — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:33:51 +0000

bluestone has them – just picked one up and it looks very good. am anxious to see how it does, but i have never had a problem with their products. bluestone.com

By: Patsy Knodel

Patsy Knodel — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:27:58 +0000

Where can I buy the above American Beautyberry Callicarpa? As
shown. I have 2 varieties, but need the above. — Cantrell
Gardens just didn’t order any in, and I can’t find one. Probably
Internet, but if you know where i could buy a healthy one I will
go get it NOW.

Patsy K.

By: Lisa L.

Lisa L. — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:03:08 +0000

I just planted a new climbing rose for my mom, the ‘Lunar Mist’, which is a sport of the popular ‘Colette’ rose. It’s everything a gardener could want, with disease resistance, repeat old fashion blooms and a spicy fragrance. We look foward to enjoying it well into fall.

By: D.

D. — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:59:56 +0000

It would be very helpful if you sometimes included a few more ideas for the hinterlands of zone 4 planting. Sun lovers, shade lovers, cold-tolerant, perennials, plume grasses, etc. I also like to plant things native to my area (southwestern SD).

Some of these things also need to come with instructions about when to plant. If we want them to bloom and look their best in the autumn, what’s the best time to be planting them?

This year has been very rainy and not much sun, so my clay soil is now gumbo in some areas of my yard. What kind of plants would do well in areas like this? Would I be better off with container gardens? I really would rather plant in-ground perennials so I don’t have to worry about it year after year because I’m a busy day care provider and also I’m not getting any younger, so I’d like to plant things now which I can enjoy throughout the coming years when I may not be as able to get out there and dig in the dirt, get dirty and plant things!

Thanks for all you do. Keep up the good work and keep those ideas and recipes coming. I usually have to revamp the recipes but that’s ok. I eat differently than most people, but I like herbs so those recipes always go over very well. Meat rubs, salad dressing with wholesome ingredients (no fake veg oils), and easy summer ideas are always good.