As far as I am concerned, there are a few laws of science that apply during this late part of the outdoor growing season. I know lots of folks are not scientifically minded, but I think you will find all of this very easy to follow. None of it is rocket science (whatever that means).
First off, some living plants die when it freezes hard enough. You need to get things you want to save inside on a timely basis and that means right now. (See, science is easy). Houseplants, for example, come to mind -- green tomatoes you want to coax, etc.
How about this law: Things that are left outside in the winter freeze to the surface they are on. Nothing complicated here. If you want something moved, do it now before the hard frosts. Furniture, tools, toys and the like should be put away now while you can do it.
A bit more complicated, but not much: Water in hoses and pipes freezes, and as it does, it expands, exerting a tremendous force outward. Drain hoses and put them away. And note that leaving a hose or other attachment on an outdoor faucet can greatly increase the chances of the water pipes and faucets freezing. So, remove all hoses at the very least. And remove all faucet attachments like watering timers and splitters. Where necessary, turn off the water and make sure the faucet is completely drained.
Next, mulching now will extend your plant roots' season. This will keep the soil from freezing so that the soil food web activity in the area around the roots stays active as long as possible.
Of course, at some point it simply becomes too cold and the ground, as well as the mulch, does freeze. At this point, if applied thick enough (three to six inches, fresh), the mulch acts as insulation and the soil underneath stays frozen all the winter even when the temperature rises above 32 degrees. Mulch prevents the plant from heaving and it prevents false starts, which might kill the plant. So go out and mulch. Brown mulches for perennials. And even though there are no annuals growing, cover your annual beds with green mulch … i.e., grass clippings.
Here is a simple one you should enjoy. The main law of organic gardening is the law of return: What falls from a plant should remain there to help feed the plant. Of course, gardeners violate this law all the time, so now is the time to pay back with leaves. Let them fall. Run them over with your mower if you can, but do not rake them up except for next year's compost pile and some to mulch your perennial beds. The rest should stay on the ground, where they will decay this winter, especially if there is good snow cover. Microbial activity will break it up. Not only does this save you huge amounts of potentially back-breaking work, it helps you feed your lawn and the trees and shrubs in and around it. Follow this trick and stop fertilizing your lawn forever. Really.
And finally, a really basic bit of science: You cannot stick things in the ground once it is frozen. This has two applications. First, if you don't mark the driveway and paths while you can, this winter someone might drive over your lawn and possibly flower beds. Walkways and driveways need to be marked, at least for those first few snows until the stuff piles up. Second, plants and bulbs cannot be planted once the ground freezes. And don't forget the perennials you bought this spring and didn't get into the ground. Get to it. You don't have much time.
Jeffs Alaska Garden Calendar for the Week of Sept. 26
Classes at the Alaska Botanical Garden: Saturday, Sept. 27: "Dividing and Growing Dahlias" with Amelia Walsh, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; "Growing Garlic in Alaska" with Julianne McGuinness, 2-4 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 4: "Worm Bins, Compost Bins and Has-Beens" with Ellen Vande Visse, 2-4 p.m.
Potatoes and Brussels sprouts: Wait for the frost.
Spider mites: They are back indoors. Check your plants for infestations. Isolate plants and spray with AzaMax or another neem-based product or just toss the plants.