Fall Succulent Care

Succulents can be one of the most black thumb-friendly plants in existence. However, even these easygoing plants need special love if they reside in an area that’s out of their native habitat. Follow these tips to keep your succulents healthy as the temperatures dip!

Despite growing in a variety of different climates, succulents come from warm, dry regions with relatively low humidity and minimal rainfall. So when our temperatures start dipping into the freeze zone, we need to take some additional steps to ensure they are ready to rock and roll when we warm back up again.

Unless you have sedums or sempervivums (these gals tolerate frost), your succulents will need to be covered if they are outside. Invest in translucent frost cloth that will allow your plants to photosynthesize while protecting them from the harsh temperatures. If your succulents are in pots, you can move them indoors to a space that stores enough above-freezing temperatures to keep them going (i.e. a south-facing wall or sunroom). Most plants will go into dormancy, slowing their growth along with their water needs. We’re going for drier soil this time of year.

Another thing to watch out for is mealy bugs. Infestation resembles a fluffy white substance on the leaves. Treat immediately by spraying isopropyl alcohol. If you have multiple plants, isolate any infested plants from their healthy friends. The best preventative is good air circulation. Keep a fan going or open a few windows to keep the air flow going.

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Succulent Growth Season

Have you noticed that your succulents are getting taller and bushier? That’s an in-your-face sign that it’s succulent growing season. This growth generally starts in late May and continues on through September. Here are a few tips on taking advantage of this period.

Fertilizer! Most succulents don’t need that much fertilizer, but a little bit can help. Water with a well-balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season will be all they need.

Lighting! Most succulents need at least half a day to a full day of sunlight. Put those puppies in the window sill to get them their daily dose of sunshine.

Drainage! If you’re planting your succulents in containers, but sure to plant them in cactus soil or add a layer of gravel or rock at the bottom to help improve drainage. This improves airflow as well which also encourages growth.

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Cowboy Caviar

If there’s one recipe perfect for utilizing all those tasty veggies you planted in the Spring, it’s Cowboy Caviar. Loaded with ‘maters, peppers, and herbs, this stuff is downright addicting!

To make:

6 diced Roma tomatoes
1 bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 med onion, diced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
1 large avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
15 oz can of corn, drained
15 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup of cilantro, chopped
3-4 tbsp lime juice
½ cup light Italian dressing
4 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tsp salt

To make:

In a large bowl, add diced tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, jalapeno, avocado, corn, beans, and cilantro. Combine well. Stir in the lime juice, dressing, garlic, and salt. Mix everything together and serve with chips. That’s it!

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August Planting

Midsummer is the perfect time to start planting those Fall crops. Here’s a list of the goodies you can get going in your garden!

Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Carrots
Kale
Peas
Peppers (early in August)
Radishes
Spinach
Squash
Turnips

Timing! Get those seeds going about 12 to 14 weeks from your first Fall frost. Start your seeds indoors where germination conditions are better. The important thing is to get the plants growing in time to benefit from the end-of-summer heat.

Solid soil! Fall gardens can provide a great opportunity for making your soil super fertile. Greens like arugula, mustard and turnips have larger leaves which are perfect for shading out weeds. The nutrients they absorb in the Fall go back into the soil as well. You can give your soil an additional punch of micronutrients by adding a bit of compost of aged manure. Happy planting!

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Soaker Hose Tips

Ensuring that your garden gets adequate water is half the battle. Soaker hoses are an inexpensive and flexible alternative to expensive irrigation systems. They are easy to move around as well making it easier to update your watering system as your garden grows. Soaker hoses enable you to get water to your plants where they need it most…at the root. They save time (no moving around sprinklers or hand watering) and they save money by reducing water loss via evaporation. Follow these tips for soaker hose success.

Chill Time
Before placing your hose around the plants, unroll the hose and let it relax for a bit. This will reduce kinkage which blocks the flow of water.

Flush It Out
Flush your hose when you first install it and a few more times throughout the season. This will help flush out any potential debris. When you disconnect your soaker hose from it’s water source, plug the open end with a cap to prevent soil or insects from getting into it.

Cover It Up
Cover your soaker hose with 2-3 inches of mulch. This will help retain moisture, reduce evaporation, and protect your hose from sun damage.

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