Gardening Highlights for September It is October and what comes to mind is every spider has a web to catch something before the cold weather sets in. Pumpkins and gourds are harvested now. Soon they can be turned into happy Halloween faces. Of course, the chrysanthemums are thriving in the cooler weather and now they are in full bloom. Because we haven’t had a frost or freeze yet, our summer landscapes are still beautiful. We have so many happy bright colors that our landscapes are now “in their glory.” The pollinators are still hard at work until the cold weather comes. My second standoff sunflowers are a buzz with them and of course, the squirrels are still lugging them to their trees they will spend the winter in. By now the birds are gleaning the corn fields as truck loads of corn are hauled to the grain mines. So the amount of bird seed consumed is less now. But I want to remind everyone that fresh water in bird baths has been so important in our drought-stricken summer. In October we now have to consider what annuals
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we are going to bring inside to keep alive until spring. I want to recommend Amazon LED grow lights if you have electrical outlets to use when you bring them in. I sort them in their pots instead of hanging the geraniums upside down with soft cord in the garage. Having two south facing windows also helps my stored plants. Now is the time to cut the blooms off of your hydrangeas to make beautiful treats and arrangements. Besides bringing in our annuals, you have to consider any landscape that won’t make it through the freeze and thaw. That is why I buy resin pots, benches, water features, etc., because they can weather winter. Remember if you are concerned about a plant, tree or bush making it through the winter make sure you have mulch, cedar chips, cardboard or burlap covering the base of the plant. Try to enjoy looking at your landscape until winter puts it to sleep. The insects, birds and critters will enjoy it as they hibernate until spring. Try to look at the cold weather coming as a much needed nap for a landscape that has made you happy all summer. Pictured right: An indoor grow light for wintering plants.
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Article & photos submitted by Sue Wilson of the Gibson County Master Gardeners
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October 2024
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