The sizzle of another summer will soon be a memory as autumn arrives in a few weeks, bringing with it blissfully cool breezes. As summer begins its retreat from the garden, backyard growers should remember that there will still be plenty to do.

• It is peony planting time. If you have had little luck with getting peonies to flower, try planting older varieties that require less cold for bud set or ask your local nursery for newer peonies specifically bred for mild Southeast winters. In addition, since these pretties need a good chill for proper flower production, bury the crowns only about 1 inches below ground so too much soil won't insulate the peony from the cold weather.
• Fall is the best time for planting most perennials. The winter rest will allow the plants to develop strong root systems that will enable them to withstand next summer's withering heat.
• Many lawn and garden centers want to make room for holiday merchandise, so watch for sales on mowers, weed-eaters, trimmers, tillers, hoses and other outdoor handyman helpers.
• October and November might be the prime time to plant spring-flowering bulbs, but mid- to late September is when selections at many garden centers are at their best, and the bargains can't be beat. Bulbs can be stored in the refrigerator, which also increases their "chill time," a necessity for fabulous displays in the spring. Don't put them in bins that also have ripening fruit, which emit an ethylene gas that can be detrimental to your bulbous sleeping beauties.
• Have a strange bulb and don't know which end is up? Plant it sideways.
• If blueberries are on your "must have" list for the garden, now is also prime planting time for this delectable edible. Keep in mind that highbush blueberries are best adapted for the widest range of conditions in the state, while rabbiteye varieties are more resistant to heat and drought and so will usually yield a heavier crop. However, rabbiteyes are not cold tolerant, so they should not be planted in the upper mountainous areas of the state.
• Put more crunch in your cuisine by planting such salad-makers as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, radishes, rocket and spinach in early September.
• Still harvesting and storing herbs? To speed up the process before winter sets in, you can dry herbs in the microwave. Place them between two paper towels and nuke them for one minute. If the leaves are not crisp, microwave them for a few more seconds until the leaves feel dry and then store them in an airtight container.
• Add some colorful snap to the fall flower garden by including such hardy plants as calendula, dusty miller, ornamental kale, flowering cabbage, pansy and stock.
• One of the best ways to have a good looking cool-season lawn is to treat your grass like your stock portfolio and diversify. Don't just use one selection; try a mix of Kentucky-31, red fescue and/or especially any of the new turf-type fescues available today. If you don't want to make your own mix, watch for any of the many ready-made "blends" that are offered at garden shops now.

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