”Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” -William Cullen Bryant
Welcome to the Gardens, or welcome back! After a long, hot, dry summer, Fall’s crisp air will be a welcome respite. Fall is a busy time in the Gardens, look for the crew to be: harvesting, fertilizing, planting, pruning, prepping and decorating.
What’s Up?
While strolling the grounds remember to look up and note the colorful display of Autumn leaves. Some of La Posada’s deciduous trees include: Arizona Ash, Fremont Cottonwood, Raywood Ash, Crabapple, Quince, Mulberry, White Poplar, Goodwin’s Willow, Desert Willow, and variety of Locust trees.
What’s coming?
Cooler temperatures make for a good time to get some planting done. This is typically when we install most of our trees, shrubs and perennials. Verde River Growers, a nursery in Cottonwood, will be making a delivery at the end of September, it will take the entire crew and a backhoe to plant roughly thirty trees and shrubs. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s included in the order: Lilac, Woods Rose, Chaste, Mesquite, Locust, Desert Willow, Arizona Ash, Apple, Cherry, and Rosemary to name a few. Let the planting begin!
Dig it!
Another activity that we look forward to is bulb planting. Every Autumn hundreds of bulbs are planted in pots, beds, pathways and under trees. The pop of color in the Spring will be a beautiful sign of the Gardens reawakening. Onion, garlic, chives, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and snow drops to name a few. Look for the “seed fairies,” or garden’s crew, scattering seeds across the property.
Preparing for Winter
We’ve been enjoying the Fall blooms and harvesting of La Posada’s bounty for the Turquoise Room, but as we get closer to the first frost date, it’s time to prepare the Gardens for the winter. Here’s a look at our to do list, as always feel free to stop and ask the crew questions about the Gardens, or you can leave your questions and contact info at the front desk and I’ll get back to you.
- Harvest apples, pears, Quince, Amaranth, tomatoes, peppers, squash and herbs.
- Decorate for Fall and Halloween.
- Fertilize, compost and mulch.
- Leave the leaves as mulch, water retention and for the critters.
- Prune, arborist for the big jobs.
- Cleanup and cutback pots, shrubs and pathways.
- Blow out irrigation.
- Maintain equipment.
And more, whew!
Enjoy the Gardens, may they give you inner peas, good chives, and may you keep calm and carrot on!
Char Tomlinson, Gardens Consultant
