Western Mountains and High Plains

October, 2007
Regional Report

Remove Dead Annuals

Completely remove frozen or dead annuals from the ground. Add fresh compost to the areas where annuals are removed and overplant with cool-loving pansies, violas, and flowering kales. The burst of color will brighten the landscape before the snow blankets the garden.

Finish Dividing Iris Clumps

This is the last call to lift and divide crowded iris clumps. Use a spading fork to lift the clumps and separate into new divisions. Discard the center rhizomes and any that are hollow or mushy. Add fresh compost to the soil where the new iris will be relocated. Water in the new divisions thoroughly.

Mow the Leaves

Though the lawn needs less frequent mowing, it's a good idea to mow over the fallen leaves. This will chop them into smaller pieces so when you add them to the compost pile they will break down more quickly. Plus, it will tidy up the lawn.

Add Organic Matter to the Vegetable Garden

Once the vegetable garden has been cleaned up, spread a generous layer of coarse compost or rotted manure over the area. Turn the organics into the soil to a depth of 6 inches or more. Leave the ground rough to allow the alternate freezing and thawing to break down the amendments and improve soil structure.

Recycle Coffee Grounds

Add used coffee grounds to the soil around roses. They are a good source of organic matter and add some minor nutrients to the soil. You can also add them to the compost pile, scattering them between the layers of leaves and grass clippings to help feed the microorganisms that break down the organic materials.

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