Treat Your Garden to Compost

Fall is a time of transition in the garden. In cold regions, annual plants fade and the last of the deciduous leaves fall. In warm parts of the country, the summer garden makes way for fall crops. Regardless of where you live, debris from the yard and garden piles up and rather than discarding it and sending it to a landfill (which is banned in many places), it's a good time to build a compost... >>more

Coloring the Garden With Spring Bulbs

There's nothing like drifts of vivid flowers to awaken the senses in spring! Many years ago when I was a complete novice, the success I had with a couple bags of 'February Gold' daffodils gave me confidence and propelled me down the gardener's path. Bulbs provide a foolproof floral display that brightens gardens, feeds the drowsy queen bumblebees, and lifts the spirits. The bulbs we plant in fall are dormant perennials, and the cool, moist autumn soil awakens them from their dormancy so they can begin growing roots in preparation for... >>more

Moving Houseplants Back Indoors

My houseplants love their outdoor summer vacation. The bright light, fresh air, and quenching rains do wonders for their health. They grow more robust and get charged up for the rest of the year. Most of our houseplants are from tropical or desert areas where cold weather is rare, and they thrive in summer conditions that are similar to home. But sooner or later the fall nights get nippy. Since temperatures below 50 degrees can stress some tropicals, it's time to curtail the vacation and bring them... >>more

October 2007

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October Q and A

Question: I have access to a huge supply of leaves, which I grind and store for mulch, and I use the "straw" from ornamental grass to keep down weeds on walkways ... >>more

October Gardening Tips

Review spring bulb catalogs and place your orders. If you're like me, just deciding between the hundreds of dazzling varieties can take several days. Bulbs are great for adding color in spring and chasing away the winter doldrums. Don't forget about lilies. These summer-flowering bulbs prefer fall planting, too.

Visit farmers' markets for your favorites and to try new varieties. Try a new fruit or a new variety of a standard vegetable, like a white eggplant or a blue potato. Many specialty crops are hard to find in the grocery store but plentiful at farmers' markets. You'll get new ideas for next year's veggie garden.

Plan a trip to see the fall colors. The annual fall foliage spectacle begins this month in the northern U.S. Local news and national weather channels often announce the best locations for this season's show. So take out your map and go catch some color.