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www.gaygardener.com
©2002 Gay Gardener
All Rights Reserved
The shortening day length initiates the "settling down" of trees for winter. What happens is a layer of cells starts to form at the base of each leaf stem. This layer gradually thickens and hardens, and eventually pushes the old leaves to the ground.
All the while this layer is forming, the process of photosynthesis is slowing down in the leaves. The green chlorophyll gradually disappears to reveal the hidden leaf pigments, that have always been there. Frost has nothing to do with fall foliage colors.
Weather does, to some extent determine the brilliance of the fall colors. If we have gotten plenty of rain through the summer, colors should be good. Cool nights and warm sunny days will encourage the colors to be sharp and brilliant.
WILD THINGSDuring this time of the year, the woods and fields are filled with all kinds of interesting shaped seed pods, fruits and berries. When dried, they make great accents and additions to your dried flower arrangements, or fall displays.
Queen Anne's lace is probably one of the most favorite. But there are many others as well, plumes from your favorite ornamental grasses, goldenrod, seed pods of poppies, sumac, milkweed pods, pine cones and even different kinds of fungus from trees can be dried and used.
Why not get out on a nice sunny day and take a stroll along a country road to see how many different and unusual things you can discover. Hair spray works great to hold your new found treasures together.
DID YOU KNOW ???Lightning Facts:
The average thickness of a lighting bolt is 1-2 inches.
An average flash would light a 100-watt bulb for 3 months.
An average strike contains 20,000 amps:
- arch welder uses 250-400 to weld steel
- your home uses 100-200 amps.
Lightning travels at a speed of 300 miles per second
Nine out of 10 people struck by lightning survive.
BULBSWhen planting bulbs, it is sometimes difficult to determine which end of the bulb is the top or bottom. The nose or tapered portion of the bulb is the top, and a broad heavy base is the bottom. Just remember; if you keep the nose pointed up, everything should bloom nicely.
Some bulbs like narcissus are hard to plant upside down because they have a long pointed nose, which is the top. Others like hyacinth, tulips and crocus are not as easily reconigized because they are more rounded, and sometimes can be deceiving.
If you are planting bulbs it is a good idea to make some kind of planting chart or garden plan. On it, you should include the location where you are planting the bulbs, how many of each variety and flower color. Any kind of chart will do.
This will help insure that you don't accidently dig out your bulbs when planting annuals or other plants in the same beds. Also each year as new bulbs are added, there is less chance of color clashes, no guessing where other bulbs are planted, or planting them on top of one another.
SOUTHWARD BOUNDAs the weather continues to cool, and the days get shorter, more of our feathered friends will be heading south for the winter. Here is a list that will soon be departing.
Departing in October:
• Bluebird
• Goldfinch
• Grackles
• Sparrow Hawk
• Hummingbirds
• Loggerhead Shrike
• Phoebe
• Robin
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Scarlet Tanager
To Do List
- October -
- This is a good time to make border changes, so your plants will get their roots settled before the ground freezes
- After your 1st frost, dig up tender bulbs and tubers (dahlias, gladiolus, cannas, etc.) for drying off before storing away
- Divide your overgrown clumps of rhubarb
- Autumn is the best time to plant Lilacs because they start growth very early in the spring
- Continue planting hardy spring bulbs
- You will have a healthier lawn if you keep it cut and not allow it to go through winter long
- Start bringing in your garden benches, patio furniture ect.
- Burn dahlia, peony and iris tops to control disease spores, insect eggs, and stem borers
- Clean up any frost-blackened plants
- Remember to add bone meal to the soil when planting your fall bulbs
- Pot up bulbs that you are going to be forcing for indoor bloom, be sure and mark different varieties
- Fall is the best time of the year to apply fertilizer to established lawns
- Rake up any fallen leaves and put on the compost pile
- If your pool or pond is shallow, net up fish and bring indoors