As summer wanes and autumn approaches, birds congregate in the trees and on overhead wires. The air is sweetly scented with ripening fruit. The light changes, becoming more golden. Everything seems ready to burst. Not in the tender, life is beginning way of spring, but in a more poignant manner that hints life in the garden is starting to fade.

For many gardeners, Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of the autumn lawn care season. Cooler temperatures and more regular rainfall make this an excellent time to start a new lawn or repair an existing one.

What a difference a year makes! Under 3-inches of rain. No floods. Just 2 days with temps warmer than 85 degrees. August 2019 was a much quieter month weather-wise than August of 2018. And since the Autumnal Equinox is 25 days away, it’s time to turn our gardening thoughts to winter preparedness.

Adding spring-flowering bulbs to your garden borders is simple and rewarding, especially when those new crocus shoots emerge after a long Wisconsin winter.

Seesawing temperatures are the usual clue that we’re nearing the end of summer. But long-range weather forecasters predict that temperatures will hover in the very pleasant upper 70s and low 80s for the next 30 days, giving us lots of time to plant some fall veg and late-blooming annuals. So pretend for a moment that you’re just like the kids heading off to school. Think of your garden like a new box of crayons and add some color!