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 |