Local Seniors Gather for Popular Gardening Series

A group of local seniors gathered this late summer for the WELL CARE for Seniors Gardening Class, taking part in practical sessions focused on plant care and fall garden preparation.

August Highlights: Plant First Aid and Troubleshooting

(Focus: Diagnosing and fixing common late-summer plant problems)

• The Gardener's Rule: Observe → Investigate → Identify → Treat → Watch. Always ask what your plant is telling you before deciding to spray.

• Water the Roots, Not the Leaves: Check soil 2–3 inches deep. Water deeply at the root level to prevent fungal issues like powdery mildew.

• Soil Protection: Use 3–4 inches of shredded wood mulch to keep soil moist, suppress weeds, and insulate roots against heat. Keep mulch a couple of inches away from plant stems.

• Pest and Disease Care:

  • Aphids and Spider Mites: Spray off with water first. Use Safer's Insecticidal Soap for persistent issues.

  • Powdery Mildew and Rust: Remove affected leaves immediately and improve air circulation around plants.

  • Slugs: Hand-pick at dusk or set up copper wire barriers and Diatomaceous Earth around plant bases.

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September Highlights: Putting Your Garden to Bed

(Focus: Fall cleanup and preparing for next spring)

• The Fall Checklist: Before removing plants, evaluate whether to Harvest, Protect, Compost, or Leave them.

• Harvest and Frost Cover: Pick tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil, cucumbers) before frost. Protect remaining plants overnight with frost cloth or old sheets weighted to the ground.

• Composting Caution: Only put healthy plant material in home compost. Send diseased plants or weed seeds to City composting so pathogens aren't reintroduced next year.

• Planting for Next Year:

  • Spring Bulbs: Plant tulips, daffodils, and crocuses 2–3 times as deep as the bulb is tall with the pointy end up. Use wire mesh to keep digging squirrels out of tulip beds.

  • Garlic: Separate hardneck garlic into cloves and plant 5–8 cm deep with pointy ends up, then cover with straw or leaf mulch.

The hands-on workshops were a great success as the group looks forward to upcoming October harvest and seed-saving classes!