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A beginner's guide to fall planting and maintenance BY METRO Spring and summer are perhaps the busi- est times of the year for gardeners. However, fall also is a prime time to tend to gardens. The tree and bare root retailer Bower & Branch advises that soil temperatures in many re- gions of the country may still be warm enough to encourage root growth well into the start of winter. Furthermore, fall is often the ideal time to plant, fertilize and keep a garden going or to get a head start on next year's bounty. Here are some tips to make the most of the fall gardening season. Fall annuals and bulb planting Around the end of September/early Oc- tober, start planting cool-weather-loving pansies and violas for pops of color as summer flowers fade. Also, it's a good idea to stock up on bulbs that will bloom in the months to come before they sell out in stores. Wait until the temperatures really cool down before planting them in desired spots for spring sprouts. Sow salad seeds Lettuce, spinach, radishes and arugula tolerate cooler tem- peratures. Try new and interesting lettuce va- rieties and enjoy salads well into the fall season. The sunlight factor Positioning a gar- den carefully means maximizing hours of sunlight, which begin to dwindle in the fall. Ex- perts say gardens grow best in sunny locations that receive six hours of direct sunlight each day. This is where container gardens can be helpful, as they allow garden- ers to move plants into spots that will get ample sunlight. Landscaping gaps Some fall plants can add color around the landscape and brighten up homes to add curb appeal. In ad- dition to pansies and violas, asters, kale and chrysanthemums are fall blooms. Keep in mind that mums can come back year after year. So take them out of those flower pots and get them into the ground. They can be enjoyed next year as well, sprouting in early spring and developing leaves and buds through late summer. Clean up any unwanted growth Fall is an ideal time to cut back spent veg- etable plants and get rid of errant weeds. Rather than bagging leaves, mow them with a grass catcher and then add the mix to a vegetable garden as an excel- lent soil insulator. The nitrogen and carbon will fertilize the soil, enhancing growing pos- sibilities and limiting weed growth. Propagate plants As temperatures gradually begin to cool, start taking cut- tings from perenni- als, gathering seed pods from azaleas and rhododendrons, and dividing hardwood cuttings, notes the Gardening Know How site. Consult with a garden center or horti- culturist on the proper ways to propagate stems using rooting hormone and other techniques. Continue to water plants Water is essential in the fall and winter as roots can still be grow- ing. Gradually reduce watering duration as plants go dormant. Fall planting and maintenance can ex- tend the gardening season and improve the chances of grow- ing a healthy spring garden. Improve the nutritional value of candied apples BY METRO Homemade can- died apples are a fix- ture come Halloween. Sweet, delectable and very easy to make, these apples are a staple at parties. As anyone who has bit into a sticky- sweet candied apple can attest, although de- licious, these apples are not exactly a healthy snack. Yet, with a few, easy modifications, it's possible to improve the nutritional value of candied apples. With ingredients such as caramel, marshmal- low, chocolate fudge and sugar, it's easy to see how candied apples do not embody a healthy treat, despite an apple being underneath all those candy adornments. Try these ideas to increase the nutritional value of this beloved treat. The caramel Make your own caramel using condensed milk, brown sugar and butter. By controlling the ingredients, you can avoid extra sugar and any additives in commercially sold caramel toppings. Add honey Use honey for the outer coating of the apple. Then roll it in chopped almonds or granola. Dark chocolate Coat apples with dark chocolate, which contains less sugar than milk chocolate and is packed with anti- oxidants. Sprinkle with dried cranberries and chopped walnuts. The cinnamon factor Substitute actual cinnamon for melted cinnamon candies in recipes. Mix powdered cinnamon with a light corn syrup and then dip the apples to coat. Did you say jam? Swirl homemade raspberry jam with an all-natural peanut but- ter and spread it on the apples for a gourmet take on peanut butter and jelly. Hazelnut time Hazelnut spreads are all the rage right now. Use your favor- ite chocolate hazelnut spread on the apples and sprinkle with gra- nola for crunch. Lighten up Drizzle the apples with your sugary con- coction rather than dip- ping them to cut down on the sugar. This still provides much flavor but does so without all of the sugar. Get cheesy Dip apples in melted cheese, such as brie or gouda. Sprinkle with bacon bits for a sweet and salty combination. Experiment with your own flavors. Making your own candied apples, rather than purchas- ing them from stores, enables you to control the ingredients and how much actual candy goes into the recipe. H8 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 001 Homes | Advertising Section