Special to the Times/News

As the calendar suddenly turned to September, the nights started to get cooler. At almost the same time, catalogs started appearing in mailboxes.

So, the signals that fall is approaching have been given. Take heed and begin preparations now.

Order spring blooming bulbs early to get best selection and quality. Be adventurous and order something new and different, such as species tulips for rockeries and the smaller alliums for colors from blue to yellow.

These "lesser" bulbs can be tucked into just about any sunny spot for an unexpected hit of spring color.

It's also time to put together fall containers. Foliage plants take center stage at a time when blooms are scarce, so variegated leaves are especially useful.

Garden centers stock all sorts of interesting plants that brighten the gray days to come.

Be sure to use a fast draining soil mixture to avoid drowning plants during a wet winter. Good soil is important, but put away that fertilizer. Do something unusual and be creative.

For some new and different ideas on container gardening, check out Gardens to Go: Creating and Designing a Container Garden by Sydney Eddison.

This unique book on container gardening tells readers how to plant and grow a lush garden on any deck, terrace, balcony, or in the backyard.

Eddison offers guidance on designing container gardens, including how to coordinate plants for color and texture, and how to mix and match various flora to have a beautiful garden - anywhere.

Container gardens are easy to maintain and require a minimum of physical effort, which makes them ideal for today's on-the-go gardeners.

New plants for your containers can be found at local nurseries and garden centers and also at the plant sales springing up at this time.

In West Seattle, Karen Mallin hosts her annual Backyard Greenhouse Plant Sale on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17 and 18.

Check out the selection of organically grown veggies, herbs and perennials at this unique sale. The location is easy to find at 1939 28th Ave. S.W. with hours on Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Then on Sunday, Sept. 25, max out your credit card at the annual Plant Amnesty Sale and Festival.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Magnuson Park in the Sand Point neighborhood of Seattle: 7400 Sand Point Way.

Plant Amnesty was founded in 1987 as a non-profit organization dedicated to humanitarian treatment of trees and shrubs through proper planting and pruning techniques.

Garden enthusiasts can choose from a large variety of plants donated by some of the areas finest nurseries, plus unique offerings from members' private gardens.

New and recycled shrubs, trees and perennials are available at shockingly low prices - just in time for successful fall planting.

This fun and free sale and festival includes the annual Ugly Yard Photo contest. Everyone is eligible and anyone can be a winner! New this year is Plantha, the horticultural medium, who will do readings of your plant and garden's future.

Q Dear LG: Your recommendations for successful planting in a sunny parking strip were right on with me. My "hell strip" is pretty boring right now; what can I do to get some color?

A The central point of selecting plants for a hot, dry, sunny parking strip at that they actually prefer those conditions rather than tolerate them.

While lots of plants are, to one degree or another, drought tolerant, many don't succeed over the long haul. Choosing low water preferring plants will work better and create new interest.

A large number of bulbs are ideal for these situations and some of those offer late summer and fall bloom, including fall crocus and Colchicum.

A couple of the most interesting are Naked Ladies (Amaryllis belladonna) and Nerine (Nerine bowdenii). From large, bare bulbs, slender bloom stalks rise quickly at this time of the year topped by four to six pink blooms with a definite sweet fragrance.

The foliage grows after bloom time and holds through spring, disappearing in early summer - later, the flowers appear like magic.

Plant the large bulbs just barely beneath the soil where they can bake in the summer sun. Leave them undisturbed for years.

Naked Lady bulbs are poisonous so keep away from children and pets.

E-mail inquiries and suggestions to lazy.gardener@ comcast.net