October planting for spring sale

October is the time to garden for now and for a spring sale
Look to the future when planning your fall garden. Putting in some extra work and planning now will pay off in ready–made spring blooms

By Jeanne Baker, MLA, Landscape Designer

Fall is officially here. The nights are cool and the trees are starting to change. There are beautiful flowers that wait to bloom until the temperature drops and the days shorten. Take advantage of this opportunity to add color by planting fall blooming perennials in containers, flower boxes or perennial beds. Containers are the perfect way to extend the growing season and bring color to your entrance. Remember to plant a mix of different species in your container and play with color. Choosing plants with contrasting color and form will stand out from a distance inviting a closer look.

Excellent container plants are chrysanthemums, asters (‘Purple Dome’), pansies, ornamental kale, purple fountain grass and Japanese blood grass. To plant, partially fill your container with potting soil or Styrofoam and insert plants still in their nursery pots. Protect your containers from an early frost by covering or moving them to an unheated garage. This will typically allow you to have beautiful plantings through Thanksgiving. Once the weather turns and an extended period of freezing temperatures is predicted, remove potted plants from their container and place pots in holes in the garden, water well and mulch heavily. Plants can over winter and be planted in a permanent home in the spring or repotted in containers.

Work now to insure a vibrant spring sale
If you want to sell your home next spring, now is the time to get a head start by planting spring flowering bulbs. The more planning you do now, the less work you’ll have come March and April. Pairing bulbs with compatible perennials will keep your beds looking neat even when after your bulbs have bloomed and their foliage have started to droop and yellow. The key is picking bulbs and perennials that require similar growing conditions, such as sunny/dry, moist or shady. Plant the bulbs with their companion perennials so that spreading plants will grow in over the spent bulbs. Suggested combinations:

• Sunny/dry locations – pair daffodils, tulip and/or hyacinth with peony, cranesbill or lamb’s ear to cover. You can plant dianthus in front of bulbs/perennial companions.
• Moist locations – pair Spanish bluebell, fritillaria and/or quamash with astilbe, cardinal flower or brunnera to cover. Can plant mazus and/or coral bells in front of bulbs/perennial companions.
• Shady locations – pair wood hyacinth, windflower or toad lily with hostas, celandine poppy or ferns to cover. Can plant sweet woodruff in front of bulbs/perennial companions.

Don’t have the time or the budget to plant everything at once? Plant the bulbs this fall and fill in with the perennials in the spring. Bulbs need the cold weather in order to bloom so be sure to get them before winter.
For more on bulb/perennial companions go to: http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/extras/083/bulb_companions.php

Fall is the perfect time to plant new trees and shrubs
Give the new plants time to start acclimating to their new environment during their dormant period before spring and the demands of new growth. Be sure to follow planting instructions carefully. The top of the root ball of a B&B plant should never be below ground level. Water thoroughly and apply 3 inch layer mulch. If you haven’t yet selected a tree/shrub the Missouri Botanical Garden (MOBOT) has excellent online references to help you decide.
Try using Plants of Merit if you are looking for something different that you aren’t likely to see in everyone’s garden. Plants of Merit have all been tested by MOBOT and local horticulturalists and have proven to be reliable performers with excellent plant characteristics but are underutilized in our region.

Want to browse and look at all the trees there are to choose from that like a wet and shady location? Use Plant Finder Search. Plant Search is the garden’s most extensive plant database search engine. It allows you to search by plant type; cultural requirements, such as sun, water, and planting zone; plant characteristics, like height, width, bloom color and time; uses for plant; features of flowers, leaves and fruit.

With a bit of planning, some imagination and digging power, you can enjoy your fall garden now and potential buyers will enjoy your efforts next spring.

Going Green Clinches The Sale

Green is the hot color right now and should be your color too when you sell or buy a home. Becoming attuned to the current eco-movement will make a huge difference. As a seller, you will boost the value of your home with eco-friendly improvements and give your real estate agent more features to highlight that will set your home apart from the rest.

Buyers are much smarter about their home purchases and want lasting value for the money; an energy efficient system that saves on utilities; and a clean, healthy place to live. Given the current real market, a buyer has the upper advantage and green may very well clinch the sale.

Here are some smart eco-improvements that will attract buyers and sell your house faster.

Breathe Easy
Applying a fresh coat of paint is a standard way of freshening up a home, but you really don’t want that “fresh paint” smell. To make it more comfortable and physically healthy for potential buyers, use paint low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This paint is readily available and comes in a wide array of colors.

The Hogs In The Kitchen
Two rooms attract the most attention from buyers–the kitchen and the bathroom. Here’s where you can really shine and show buyers you care about their utility bills. Upgrade old appliances with new Energy Star certified models. While this may seem expensive on the front end, the replacements will more than pay for themselves on the back end and increase traffic.

Don’t Take It For Granited
While we’re in the kitchen, take a look at those countertops. But here’s the deal; don’t automatically assume that granite is the way to go for replacement. Granite countertops may still impress some buyers, but true trendsetters will be on the lookout for kitchens that incorporate some of the hottest new materials. So, what about paper? That’s right, paper. Compressed post-recycled paper sealed with resin makes an extremely durable countertop. It’s less expensive than granite–which is not a renewable resource–and has a warm, sleek feel. Maintenance is low too. A yearly application of mineral oil will keep the countertop looking fresh and new.

Drips Are Out
Leaky faucets, showerheads and old toilets are not selling points. Now’s the time to install low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads. Did you know that showers account for 22% of the individual water use in North America? That racks up really big water and utility bills and rates will continue to rise. Take a look at that toilet too. It’s the biggest water user in the house. By installing a low water usage unit, you can save around 2,000 gallons of water a year.

It Makes Scents
Potential home buyers get a feel for a property as soon as they arrive. To give your visitors a preview of what’s inside, arrange fresh plants new the front door. Especially effective are scented geraniums and herbs that offer an aromatic experience. To spruce up your landscaping, support your state and choose native Missouri plants that grow well in local soil and weather conditions. Inside, remove any chemical room fresheners and display herbs, especially in the kitchen.

Flaunt It
When you go green to sell your home, make sure that potential buyers know about your efforts. Discrete signs here and there, noting low VOC paint, Energy Star appliances, low water usage products and native plants show that you care about your environment and that of the new owner.

For sellers who use eco-friendly techniques, your property has an edge on the competition. Take advantage of these smart tips to be green and earn more green!