STAY RAIN, STAY!

All that rain is wonderful for your garden.

Remember, a few weeks back, I told you to water the shrubs and small trees so they have enough water to get them through the winter? This is "natures" way of dealing with that. We are mere helpers!

So, be glad that nature is dealing with this issue as well. I don't know about you, but my hose is already dry and hung up for the winter. I don't water my garden any longer... but the rains will!

So be happy for fall rain.

I'M PUTTING MY OUTDOOR FURNITURE AWAY!

It's that time of year again. It's time to stack the furniture on the side of the deck, and wrap the cushions in big plastic bags so they can be put into storage for the winter.

As you do that, you may find that some of the furniture has had a rough summer and perhaps needs replacement. As you may know, I'm recommending a Patio Set company where you might go to check prices and designs of patio furniture that could fit your needs. Now might be a good time to check it out. Sometimes it's best to make decisions like this when you're not in at a place in time where you need to make the decision "RIGHT NOW"!

A MOTORIZED WHEELBARROW

The question was: "If you could invent anything, what would it be?

My response: A MOTORIZED WHEELBARROW.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if, after you had gardened a few hours and were exhausted, thirsty, grungy and not having a whole lot of energy left, you could pile your tools and unplanted plant materials into the wheelbarrow, push a little button, and VROOM, all you have to do is STEER the blooming thing? Oh, bliss!

I don't know about what your weather is tonight, but we have a prediction for possible snow at the higher elevations. Oh, my. I'm really not ready for that! The only blessing is that it WILL melt quickly, and you can still plant bulbs, if you haven't done it yet.

NEWS ON THE BEE COLONY COLLAPSE SYNDROME

It appears there has been a breakthrough on the Bee Colony Collapse cause!

There was a long article on it in the NY Times today. Here is the link for the article. It will be an interesting read I assure you!

OH, SO WASTEFUL!

I was asked today, "What's the most wasteful thing you do each day?"

Right now, I must respond with much GUILT, "I'm NOT composting!"

My husband had a hip replacement a couple of weeks ago and I am the "main nurse". I have managed to strain my back! Because of that, I can't turn the compost when I add to it. That is HUGELY important where we live because we have bears and raccoons. If I turn the compost, I never have a problem. But, if I don't, I get visitors I don't want!

So, to skirt that problem, I just don't do it. I hope all of you are composting in your yards, religiously. That would make me feel SOOOO much better!

I have imbedded two composting sites in this article. Try to visit them both. They are FULL of facts about how to go about utilizing your organic waste. You will NOT regret this little exercise. It's the very best thing you can do for your garden.

Good luck and thank you for helping me step beyond my guilt for being so wasteful!

GARDENING CHORES FOR OCTOBER

OCTOBER

You can still plant spring bulbs.

Scatter a slow-release fertilizer (formulated especially for bulbs) on top of the soil after planting the bulbs. Remember to scatter this fertilizer over other beds of bulbs as well.

If you have gladiolus, this is the time to dig the corms up.

This is a wonderful time to fertilize both lawn and garden

Plant cool and warm-season lawns

Move worm bins to basement or garage to maintain at least 40* through the winter months

Divide a clump of chives and bring indoors

If you haven't lifted your dahlias yet, this would be the time!

Bring any plants that are growing in containers inside for the
winter. If they are hardy enough to remain outside all winter, tip the pots on their sides so any accumulated water will drain out. Although they should be able to stand the temperatures, ice can definitely be a problem!

Be sure to bring clay pots inside so they don't freeze causing cracking.

Reduce feeding houseplants(do not feed dormant houseplants)

Start a dish of paperwhites, and if you want a winterlong indoor display, plant a few more every other week.

Give your compost pile a final turning.

Try to keep the fallen leaves raked off the lawn. Put them in
the compost, shredding them first if possible, or mix them really well as they tend to compact.

Be sure that you have removed any foliage from your Iris plants. This foliage, if not discarded, can harbor Iris Borers over the winter. You surely don't want to see them in the spring!

You can plant garlic now for next years harvest. It's the perfect time to order and plant them so they have time to begin growing roots before winter sets in.

Mark any perennials you want to separate so you can find them
next spring.

Clean and oil your tools so they won't rust over the winter.

Plant container and balled-and-burlapped trees, fruit trees, shrubs and vines.

Put some rodent protection around the trunks of new trees. This can be in the form of hardware cloth or other substances you can get in the garden center or hardware store. This will protect the trunks from damage over the winter from hungry little critters.

Other trees can also be planted now.

Keep watering the shrubs and evergreens. (If you live in New England, I think you've had enough rain this year to keep those plants satisfied as far as water is concerned!)

Plant container roses and prune your hybrid tea roses. Start preparing your roses for winter. They should be mulched when the ground begins to freeze.

If your roses had signs of black spot or other foliage diseases you should remove the the leaves so it doesn't recur again next year. Once a hard freeze has beaten down your garden, remove the leaves from the affected roses, as well as any mulch that might have remnants of those infected leaves, and throw it into the garbage (NOT the compost-you do not want to spread it throughout the garden next year). Bite the bullet and add new winter mulch.

Cut back your perennials and put the foliage in the compost as long is it's not diseased. If there is green at the base, leave about 4-5 inches of leaves.

Try to leave about 4 inches of stem on the lilies you cut back. In the spring, they appear rather late. By leaving some of the stem, you'll know where they are hiding in the garden!

Leave the ornamental grasses. They look quite attractive in the winter garden.

Sow seeds for frost-tolerant perennials

Try using evergreen boughs over your shrubs to provide winter
protection. They can be forced into the ground before the ground freezes, draping their branches over the shrubs.

You can of course, also protect evergreens with burlap barriers. Do NOT use plastic!

Pull out your annuals and put them in the compost

It's time to store your hoses inside. Remember to drain them first
so they don't freeze and split!

Bring in any annual geraniums! Potted, in a sunny spot they will bloom all winter. Or hang them upside down (with the dirt removed) in a cool spot like the garage, or basement.

Get those bird feeders up! Be sure you have cleaned them first!