It's almost time to hibernate

This will be the last of my garden columns for the year as another growing season has drawn to a close. The weather we had was very similar to a year ago with a long and very wet spring followed by a dry summer with some hot days. Once again we enjoyed a lovely fall as early September to mid October were just about perfect.

I'd like to say that there's nothing left to do in the yard but I'd be lying through my teeth. As you gardeners know all too well, there is plenty left to do.

Be sure to give all your trees a long slow drink of water as that is their best defense against the strong drying winds of winter. It's not too late if you'd like to plant trees. Water the new ones well and they'll be ready to take off in the spring.

Pick the last of those tomatoes you've been protecting from frost. The larger green ones will finish ripening in a warm spot indoors. If your carrots developed forked roots, this means their growing area needs finer soil. Any clods or even small rocks will cause this as carrots need fine soil almost resembling sand.

Cut to the ground, all the raspberry canes which bore fruit this summer. These will be brown, easily distinguished from the new green growth which will produce fruit next year. Cut the new canes to about 4 feet.

Once again local neighborhoods are looking like miniature geyser basins as the sprinkler systems get blown out. These in-ground sprayers are a great invention as they sure beating hauling hoses around.

It's not too late to plant those spring blooming bulbs. As long as you can dig holes for them, go ahead and plant them. You will know it's too late when the shovel won't go in the ground.

Tree experts advise no tree pruning between Sept. 15 and Nov. 1. They say it is best to do no pruning when the leaves are first opening in spring or falling off in fall. Any other time is fine.

see CERNY, C8

from C4

An old wives' tale says that we should not feed the birds all summer as that keeps them from eating what nature provides. Hogwash ... They're smart enough to know what to eat and when. So, be sure to keep those bird feeders full and water available all year 'round.

Speaking of birds, have you ever wondered what happened to the bright yellow and black goldfinches you saw during the summer? They molted. Goldfinches are one of the few types of birds to molt twice a year instead of the normal once. So, except for mating season, the male goldfinches look very much like the females, sporting similar drab plumage.

After writing this column for five years, it's break time. I'm hoping we get a mild winter where we rarely need those shovels and snowblowers. With any luck we can catch up on our reading and just plain relaxing. I have a feeling that you've all earned it. It really is time to hibernate ... see you next spring.

Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. Since then, she has always kept a garden of some sort, growing everything from fruits and vegetables to flowers and house plants. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is an active member of the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls.