Fall Into Autumn

4710 Pioneer Road

Balch Springs, Texas 75180

 214-348-EDEN (3336)

on sale here!

Autumn

Now is the time to watch the changing colors of the leaves, enjoy the resurgence of blooms on your favorite, recuperating perennials, plant your fall color and fall veggie garden, try to predict when weed seeds will start germinating so you can put out your natural pre-emergent and try a new herbal tea on a cool crisp morning while you survey what worked and sadly, what didn't work this drought stricken summer.

Fall Fertilization is important so your lawn, shrubs and other plants have a good source of nutrients to get them through their long winter "nap".  Don't have a lot weeds in your lawn, then skip the corn gluten meal and just apply a good, general purpose fertilizer.  We have several great, organic fertilizers to choose from only $21.99 covers up to 4000 sq. ft.  Smaller sizes available, too.   

Soil Preparation now means greater results for the plants you select for your paradise.  Check out the How To's section for details on how to convert your existing "dirt" to wonderful, fertile soil that will grow your plants into bragging specimens.  We can have compost by the truckload delivered or you can pick up bags to do a little at a time.  But, whatever you do - do compost.   

Planting in the fall is a great idea!  The mild North Texas winters provide an excellent opportunity for permanent plantings to get well established before the scorching sun and drying winds take their toll.  Unfortunately the growers don't always cooperate with a great selection of perennials to choose from, but we'll do our best to have sufficient quantities of good, hardy, Texas native perennials and all the great soil amendments to get your garden of paradise off to a great start!

At left are a few selections from one of our free organic gardening classes.  Russian Sage, Mexican Mint Marigold, Mexican Bush Sage, Blackfoot Daisy, Sedum, Artemisia among others were all on hand and looking great for the class to view. 

Pansies, Petunias and POW!  How cool is it to have cheery, beautiful, bold color out your window when those cold northern winds are blowing?!  We're bringing in fresh beautiful plants every week!  It is time to put out pansies, violas, petunias, snapdragons, ornamental kale/cabbage and more - and yes, they will make it through most Dallas winters!  Pansies, snapdragons and violas don't need an excessive amount of water after the first few weeks so don't let the latest watering restrictions ruin your fall color plans.  In fact, while not technically drought tolerant, once they have set in, they can usually go for several days to a week between watering if the soil is prepared right and you have mulched properly.  Ask us for a planting guide when you pick up your selections.  Book large quantities via phone to assure your favorite colors are in stock when you're ready to plant.  Petunias, snaps, alyssum and the ornamental kales and cabbages, parsley, Swiss chard and red mustard plants are wonderful companions and background plants for your pansies.  A long, cold freeze may knock the blooms off for a few days, but they'll recover quickly through most of our Dallas winters.  Be sure to tuck them in with a healthy layer of mulch!  Check out cyclamen for your shadier areas.      

Top off Houseplants or bump up into a bigger pot if needed, before you bring them back in for their winter nap.  Rabbit Hill Farm makes the most wonderful potting soil and your plants will thank you for the blanket of rich, living soil you give them.  Remember, it is much darker in your house than outside and the plants will slow down growth, so don't over water and reduce fertilizer to a minimum.  Adding liquid seaweed and apple cider vinegar to the water when you do water is usually sufficient. 

Corn Gluten Meal is nature's way of subduing weed seeds that will spring up next year when the weather breaks from winter.  You may have missed the window for the majority of weed germination, but it is a great source of nitrogen and will help with the late sprouting weeds. They will grow just ever so little and then sit and wait all winter long for the right moment to spring up and wave hello to you from amongst your sleeping lawn.  See the fertilization page for more info.