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October 18, 2000

Autumn Beauty, Autumn Journeys...
Cooler weather and nice soaking rains have brought my garden back to life. The plantings that were not damaged by frost are very green.  Although there is not much color, the contrast between the deep green and brilliant colors of the blooming mums is magnificent.  I must admit that I am enjoying the garden's transition.  If I have one disappointment it would be that my pansies have been eaten by the local chipmunks.  Not just a few of them, they have seemed to devour all of them.  Peaceful coexistence seems less likely every day
.

The Marsh family will journey to Weston Missouri this weekend to enjoy a day of outdoor autumn activities.  The kids as well as Kevin and I really enjoy this trip and look forward to it every year.  It is a family tradition to visit the Big Red Barn to find just the right pumpkin.  Once we have finished at the Big Red Barn we always venture across the road to the apple orchard to enjoy a mouth watering apple with lots of caramel. Yum!  This trip is fun for many reasons but mainly because I feel we really get a chance to use all of our senses.  The smells, the tastes, the colors.  Everything is so alive.  What fun!

~ Shelly  

Early Mulchers Beware...
Recent chilly weather may have some gardeners scrambling to put down garden mulch.  Stop!  The primary function of mulch is to keep soil temperatures constant and prevent frost heaving, not to keep it warm.  It is best not to mulch until the soil temperature has reached about 35 degrees.  Thankfully, we've still got some time.

What Will Spring Bring?
Great gardening is about planning ahead, sometimes way ahead.  Bulbs are an obvious example but there are other plants that will display their beauty in early spring if we plant them now.

One of the most popular of the early spring flowers is the perennial Polyanthus Primrose (Primula x polyantha).  Plant some now and you will have a rainbow of colors when the weather breaks next spring.  Calendula and Iceland poppy are good choices as well.

More Leaves? Mow Leaves...
This time of year you probably have a light scattering of leaves in your yard almost all the time.  Don't let them lay there too long.  They prevent much needed sunlight from reaching your grass and, when wet, will actually smother the lawn.  If you have a compost pile you would be better off mowing the leaves up (using a bagger) instead of raking them.   The chopped up leaves and grass will break down more quickly in your compost pile.

Rose Tips by Al Karsten...
One of the most important things you can do for your roses is prepare them for winter.  Recent mild winters have forced us all to reconsider, if only for a moment, how we might ready our floral treasures for the season.  There's plenty to do and our rosarian Al Karsten has summed it up nicely in Rose Tips...

Water Garden Care...
Fall means extra work for Savvygardeners with water gardens.  Falling leaves and falling temperatures should be met with the following actions: 

  • Try to keep falling leaves and twigs out of the pond to prevent injury to the fish.
  • Be sure to feed fish extra food when temperatures cool and continue until the water temperature drops below 45°F.  This allows the fish to build up additional fat stores for winter survival.  
  • Stop fertilizing water garden plants when the daytime water temperature drops below 60°F.  This will give plants the opportunity to go dormant.
  • Tropical water lilies and other non-hardy water plants can be over-wintered in various ways.  The goal is to keep the plant alive, but not growing vigorously.  Plants can be kept in a washtub, tank or even in an aquarium in a greenhouse or under artificial lights.  Light the plants for 12 to 18 hours each day.  Water temperature should be maintained around 70°F.

Source

What's Hot On the Hotline...
How can I have a lawn, garden, trees and bushes that will endure Midwest summers successfully without spending a fortune on water?  this week's Hotline...

No Slowing On Your Mowing...
When do Savvygardeners stop mowing their lawns?  When the grass stops growing of course.  As long as it continues to grow keep bluegrass cut to 2 inches and tall fescue to 2½ inches.

Finally...
"Listen... 
With faint dry sound,
Like steps of passing ghosts,
The leaves, frost-crisp'd, break free from the trees
And fall."

~ Adelaide Crapsey, 1878-1914, November Night

 

 

 

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