Late Summer Gardening Checklist in New England

I love listicles and checklists to keep me on track. This week I’ve been preparing for the fall season. Here are 5 to-do tasks this week if you live in New England!

1.Harvest seeds from favorite flowers

2.Plant cold hardy annual seeds such as Viola, Sweet Peas and Sweet William. These little plantings survive the harsh New England winter and are extra sturdy in spring. Another option is to purchase cold hardy annuals and plant six weeks before the first frost.

3.Peruse the clearance displays of seeds and purchase your favorite! Seeds can last up to 5 years in dry, dark storage!

4.Start new cuttings of your favorite geranium ( Pelargonium). Snip a stem right below a leaf node then remove all leaves, except 2 at the tip. Place in a water filled jar and watch the roots grow!

5.Plant cold hardy greens or seeds, like kale,in large pots. As the temperature drops, in late fall, bring the pots closer to your kitchen door. All winter you will be enjoying delicious greens. Invest in a roll of frost cloth to cover the greens when temperatures go below freezing.

Enjoy!