In about a month or two, cool season annuals will be replacing warm season annuals. Those who prefer to grow their annuals from seed in flats should get started now. The seedlings will then be mature enough to plant when the warm season annuals are finished. Stock, nemesia, Iceland poppy, calendula, candytuft, pansy and viola will all be seasonal at that time. (If you think that you can grow snapdragon without rust, then go for it.)

Seed of cool season perennials such as columbine, coreopsis, heuchera, Shasta daisy, dianthus and primrose may also be sown in flats now. (Most primrose are used as annuals.) Seed of cool season vegetables such as beets, radishes, carrots (ick!), cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and lettuce may all be sown directly into the garden. Because these vegetables produce only once, small groups should be planted through the season so that as the each group is exhausted, the next will begin  production. Cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage may be purchased as small plants in cell packs or six packs later rather than grown from seed if only a few of each are desired. Lettuce is also available in six packs, but because each plant is so small at maturity and so many plants are consequently preferred, seed is more practical.

Vegetable seeds and other planting seeds can be purchased from mail order seed companies or your local nurseries.

Crowded bearded iris may be divided in late summer or autumn. Iris are not necessarily divided every year, but as they become crowded. Of course, they all become crowded at different rates depending on foliar structure and health of growth. Iris that bloom on taller stems produce longer and broader foliage that requires considerably more space than the smaller foliage exhibited by dwarf iris. Only the distended section of rhizome between the terminal foliar ‘fan’ and the somewhat dehydrated section of rhizome that either grew or was installed during the previous season should be planted after division. The older sections may be discarded. Foliar fans may be cut at least in half to minimize moisture lost to evapotranspiration (evaporation from foliar surfaces). Outer foliage will dehydrate and may be removed as it is slowly replaced by new foliage through autumn and winter.

Iris rhizomes are becoming available in nurseries as well as a few other spring bulbs. They may be planted as they become available for earliest bloom in late winter or early spring. Like the vegetables, they may be planted in phases so that they bloom in phases next year.