Le Tour des Plants This year's self-guided tour of Oregon nurseries and garden centers expands into southwestern Washington. Sep 13–21; 800/342-6401.

PLANT NOW
Autumn crocus Buy bulblike corms of Colchicum autumnale from nurseries. Plant in a spot that gets partial shade, or put corms on a layer of sand or gravel in a wide, shallow dish with just enough water to touch the bottom of the corms. Pink, white, or lilac purple flowers will appear very quickly (some bloom in the nursery bin). These beautiful plants are poisonous, so don't plant them where kids or pets play.

Cool-season crops Plant nursery-grown seedlings of leaf vegetables for fall salads; sow seeds of radishes and arugula to harvest through winter. Related article: Get ready to plant your cool season crops

Lawns Sunset climate zones 1–3: East of the Cascades, sow seed for new lawns through midmonth. Lay sod anytime through mid-October. Zones 4–7, 17: Sow grass seed or lay sod.

Perennial spring bulbs Choose spring-flowering bulbs that naturalize and return year after year, such as Crocus tommasinianus 'Ruby Giant'; daffodils 'February Gold', 'Ice Follies', and 'Thalia'; and the small, lovely Tulipa tarda, the larger T. fosteriana 'Orange Emperor', and T. greigii 'Toronto'. Also try lesser-known bulbs like Camassia cusickii, Muscari armeniacum, M. latifolium, and Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), which is a good candidate for partial shade. Related story: How to plant bulbs

West Coast native shrubs Zones 4–9, 17: These grow with almost no extra water beyond seasonal rains: coast silktassel (Garrya elliptica), common flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum), manzanita (Arctostaphylos), matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri), Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), red flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum), and wild lilac (Ceanothus).

TEND YOUR PLOT
Control fungus gnats Easily mistaken for fruit flies, these breed in the organic soil around indoor plants. Stop them by covering soil with a layer of sand or gravel.

Dig and divide perennials Divide and replant spring- and summer-flowering perennials, including Oriental poppies, primroses, Shasta daisies, and Siberian irises. Divide fall bloomers after they flower or in early spring.

Harvest flowers and veggies Pick ripe fruit and fading flowers every day or two to keep plants producing and to prevent rot.

Make compost As you pull up spent annual flowers and vegetables, run over them with a lawn mower and dump the bag into a compost pile at least 4 feet wide. Add grass clippings, fallen leaves, flowerless weeds, and salad scraps, then water the pile and turn it occasionally. You'll have terrific compost by midautumn.

Water Though days are shortening and cooling, regular irrigation is necessary until serious fall rains take over (usually in October).

Weed Fall weeds can be the worst. Get them before they send down deep roots.

Photo by E. Spencer Toy
Rich purple 'Cupani' sweet peas and electric orange California poppies create an irresistible mood-lifting combination. In mild-winter areas, plant seeds of both in full sun now for copious blooms in spring. (In cold climates, hold off on the fragrant, vining sweet peas and start them indoors in February or March, then transplant them outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked.)

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