Where did our summer go?

The bad news is that it looks like the end of summer is here. The good news is the beginning of fall has also arrived. With a little luck, we’ll enjoy a nice, long, warm season such as we’ve had the past two years.

This is a great time to plant perennials. Old ones can be divided and pieces replanted here and there or given to a lucky friend. Greenhouses often have great sales on them about now. Check them out and see what treasures you can bring home.

If you’re planting a peony, keep in mind the cardinal rule: the “eyes” must not be planted deeper than 2 inches below the soil line. Any deeper and they will not bloom. The eyes are little pointed buds, usually pink.

Continue filling those hummingbird feeders for a while. “Our” hummers will soon be heading south for the winter, but those coming through from summers spent farther north will need food before journeying on.

For anyone wanting blooming bulbs next spring, now is the time to look for bulbs to purchase and plant. Some of our local stores carry them. For a larger selection, you can’t beat mail order catalogs. If there are none showing up in your mailbox, you can go online and request them.

Another important chore involves lawns. September is recommended as the best time to do your last fertilizing of the season. Not only will your lawn continue looking good this fall, but it will perk up first thing next spring.

For those of you growing apples for the first time, there is a trick to knowing when they are ready to pick. Cut one in half and check the seeds. If they are brown, the fruit is ready. Pears, on the other hand, are picked before they ripen on the tree. To check the timing, grasp one in your hand, hold it at a 45-degree angle and twist. If it comes right off, they are ready to pick. They will finish ripening off the tree.

Now is the time to start removing the blossoms on large fruited tomato plants as they take a long time to mature a fruit. The cherry type can wait a while longer.

To correctly water a tree, place the end of a hose under the edge of the farthest foliage. Let drip overnight. Do this four times, moving the hose a quarter of the way around each time.

I recently was reminded that everyone who likes to can vegetables should buy a new canning book. The reason is that a lot of things we can have changed over the years. For instance, tomatoes no longer have the same amount of acid in them. This means they will require a different amount of vinegar, etc. Who knew?

Speaking of tomatoes, how about this one: Why did the tomato blush? Because he saw the salad dressing. It is too funny!

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Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is currently serving as secretary for the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls. Her column appears in The Press every other Sunday from early March until late October.