Just because we've moved into August, with its trademark high temperatures, doesn't mean that it's time to throw out your spring and summer plants. If they've still got a bit of season left in them, leave them where there are. I was delighted to talk with Logan Bristow—of Logan's One Stop Garden Shop—earlier this week about the the best tips for planning your fall gardens. He's got some great advice.

1. What's your best bet for fall color, either flowers or unusual leaves and textures?
Most of the spring/summer annuals will last until the first frost (usually October 15) if they are taken proper care of during the summer months—that includes watering, "deadheading," and fertilizing using a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks. Many folks give up on spring/summer annuals too easy, but they just take work. The popular summer flowering crape myrtle also has some fall interest with its foliage colors of orange, red and yellow. Some mature cultivars also display exfoliating bark during the winter months. And don't forget the ornamental grasses, which also show off their flowers during the late summer/fall months, breaking up the texture in the landscape.

2. Is it better to plant perennials in the fall or in the spring, and what are the best perennials to plant in the fall?
"Fall is for planting." You see this slogan around many retail garden stores during the fall because it's the truth; fall is the best time to plant. Many summer blooming perennials, such as Echinacea, Rudbeckia and Gaura can bloom up until the first frost if they are "deadheaded". Ornamental grasses are also popular in a perennial garden.

3. Is it healthier to plant trees in the spring or the fall? What trees should we be putting in now?
Again, it is much better on the plant/tree and the gardener to plant in the fall. When selecting trees for your landscape, consider native species, such as Acer rubrum (red maple), or even some of the hybrid dogwoods.

4. Overall, what steps should gardeners be taking to prepare our fall garden?
Fall is the time to overseed or establish a fescue or other cool season lawn. You should also fertilize your cool season lawn at this time. If you have a warm season lawn, you should be overseeding with an annual grass, such as annual rye if you want to maintain green color through the winter months. If you compost, add your summer compost to beds that will be planted later in the fall/winter or in the spring. You should also think about applying a pre-emergent to plant beds to prevent winter annual weeds. This can also be done by adding an additional layer of mulch.

5. What is your Top Pick Plant for fall 2008? Can you give us the inside scoop?
My top plant for fall '08 is the Kalidescope Abelia. The new foliage/fall foliage is very colorful, displaying lots of orange and red, and it is drought-tolerant once established. Its mature size is 3'–4' tall and wide, and it serves as a great accent to larger foundation shrubs, or can be planted alone as a specimen. 

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So there you have it ... five great tips to keep us optimistic gardeners in the know with a spectacular garden. And if you haven't been out to Logan's lately, you're missing out on a great garden center, the always popular Seaboard Cafe, and the Shops of Seaboard Station shopping and restaurants. Go on a Saturday and plan to make a day of it.