Fall Home & Garden
Furthermore, fall is often the ideal time to plant, fertilize and keep a garden going or to get a head start on next year’s bounty.
cool-weather-loving pansies and violas for pops of color as summer flowers fade. Also, it’s a good idea to stock up on bulbs that will bloom in the months to come before they sell out in stores. Wait until the temperatures really cool down before planting them in desired spots for spring sprouts.
A beginner’s guide to fall planting and maintenance
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Spring and summer are perhaps the busiest times of year for gardeners. However, fall also is a prime time to tend to gardens.
Here are some tips to make the most of the fall gardening season.
• Think about fall annuals and bulb plant ing. Near the end of September, start planting
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The tree and bare root retailer Bower & Branch advises that soil temperatures in many regions of the country may still be warm enough to en courage root growth well into the start of winter.
• Sow salad seeds. Lettuce, spinach, radishes, and arugula tolerate cooler temperatures. Try new and interesting lettuce varieties and enjoy salads well into the fall season.
• Take inventory of the sun. Posi tioning a garden carefully means max imizing hours of sunlight, which begin to dwindle in the fall. Experts say gar dens grow best in sunny locations that receive six hours of direct sunlight each day. This is where container gardens can be helpful, as they allow gardeners to move plants into spots that will get ample sunlight.
• Fill in landscaping gaps. Some fall plants can add color around the land scape and brighten up homes to add curb appeal. In addition to pansies and violas, asters, kale and chrysanthe mums are fall blooms. Keep in mind that mums can come back year after year. So take them out of those flow er pots and get them into the ground. They can be enjoyed next year as well, sprouting in early spring and develop ing leaves and buds through late sum mer.•Clean up unwanted growth. Fall is an ideal time to cut back spent vegeta ble plants and get rid of errant weeds. Rather than bagging leaves, mow them with a grass catcher and then add the mix to a vegetable garden as an excel lent soil insulator. The nitrogen and carbon will fertilize the soil, enhancing growing possibilities and limiting weed growth.•Propagate plants in the fall. As tem peratures gradually begin to cool, start taking cuttings from perennials, gath ering seed pods from azaleas and rho dodendrons and dividing hardwood cuttings, says the resource Gardening Know How. Consult with a garden cen ter or horticulturist on the proper ways to propagate stems using rooting hor mone and other techniques.
Home and Garden, Fall 2022 – Page 3
• Continue to water plants. Water is essential in the fall and winter as roots can still be growing. Gradually reduce watering duration as plants go dor mant.Fall planting and maintenance can extend gardening season and improve the chances of growing a healthy spring garden.
— Metro Creative
• Apples: Apple-picking season typically begins in late summer and extends into fall. Many farms offer a variety of apples, which may be harvested at different times. For example, in the northeastern United States, Gala apples tend to be harvested in late summer, while Granny Smith apples may be
• Cabbage: If you’re looking to do some late fall picking, cabbage might be for you. The online re source Harvest to Table notes that cabbage can sur vive under snow without being harmed, making it an ideal late fall vegetable. Spoiled outer leaves can be pulled away after harvesting without affecting the quality of the remaining cabbage.
• Peaches: People who can’t wait to whip up a peach cobbler may need to do so before fall even begins. According to Pickyourown.org, peach es can be ready for picking as early as July in the northeastern United States, and the picking season generally ends around mid-September. The season is even earlier in places like Georgia, a state known for its peaches where the picking season can begin in mid-May and extend through early August de pending on the variety.
Food is a big part of fall, and farms play a sig nificant role in seasonal celebrations. Each fall, families plan apple picking excursions with their eyes on baking homemade apple pies. And while Halloween is made even more fun when carving jack-o’-lanterns, savvy celebrants know that carv ing sessions are not complete without some roast ed pumpkin seeds.
Fall harvest fruits and vegetables
• Beets: The Spruce: Eats notes that beets may be in season in temperate climates from fall through spring.•Broccoli: Fresh broccoli makes a healthy ad dition to any dinner table, and Pickyourown.org notes that broccoli can have a lengthy harvesting season. Early harvesting may begin in May in some regions, though it’s still possible to pick fresh broccoli in late October. If you want to pick fresh broccoli, The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends doing so in the morning when the buds of the head are firm and tight.
• Pumpkins: Thanks in part to Halloween decor and the popularity of pumpkin pie as a Thanks giving dessert, pumpkins are synonymous with the fall harvest. And pumpkin picking season aligns perfectly with each of these holidays, typically be ginning in early or mid-September and extending deep into October.
best picked in early October.
Fall is a great time of year to pick fresh fruits and vegetables at a local farm.
— Metro Creative
Home and Garden, Fall 2022 – Page 4
The fall harvest is a great time to indulge in some freshly picked healthy foods. While the pick ing season may vary depending on where you live, and specifically the climate in your region, the fol lowing are some fruits and vegetables that might be ripe for the picking this fall.
Pumpkins come in ornamental and edible va rieties. Even though all pumpkins can be con sumed, some taste better than others. Small pumpkins tend to be decorative because, accord ing to Nutritious Life, they do not have enough meat inside to make them worthy of cooking. However, sugar pumpkins are best for baking and cooking favorite recipes, states the resource Pumpkin Nook.
Gourds are essentially ornamental squashes; they aren’t cultivated for eating. Instead they are bred to look beautiful and unique in autumn centerpieces. Types of gourds include autumn
Squash
Squashes come in summer and winter varieties. Winter ones do not actually grow in the winter; in fact, they’re harvested in late summer and early fall, but the name references the hard shell casing that protects the tender pulp inside. Zucchini are summer squash because their outer flesh is ten der, while butternut, acorn, spaghetti, and hub bard squashes are winter squashes because they feature a tough skin. Even though it takes some effort to crack that shell, the dense, nutrient-rich flesh inside is well worth the workout.
Gourds
The festive hues and flavors of squashes, gourds and pumpkins are one more thing that makes Halloween and autumn—special.Metro Creative
Halloween takes place during a time of year characterized by earthen-colored chrysanthe mums, leaf-lined walkways and crisp autumn air. As colorful as the costumes children wear for trick-or-treating may be, nature’s beauty is unsurpassed this time of year, and the scores of pumpkins, gourds and squashes on display only add to that colorful melange.
Gourds, squashes and pumpkins, oh my!
main differences between squashes, gourds and pumpkins is their intended purpos es — whether they’re ornamental or edible.
The Cucurbitaceae family may be best known for pumpkins, squash and gourds, but there ac tually are 800 species that belong to this family. While they share many of the same properties, these fruits each have their own unique attri butes.The
wing gourd, warted gourds, turban gourds, and bottle gourds. Each gourd is unique in its shape and color.
Pumpkins
Home and Garden, Fall 2022 – Page 5
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• Vintage fireplaces: Vintage continues to be a buzzword in 2022, and the choice to go vintage also applies to fireplace styles. A room decorated in vin tage elements can be complemented with a vintage fireplace or one designed to look vintage.
• Integrate into wall decor: Fireplaces that are built right into a wall save space. One can have a televi sion and a fireplace on the same wall. These types of fireplaces work well in modern home designs. Other fireplaces may be built into bookshelves or other wall features.Fireplaces can improve the appeal of a home. Var ious trends are popular this year, making fireplaces highly coveted features.
• Nature-inspired materials: Natural stone contin ues to be a material of choice in fireplace surrounds. Light colors work well for a fireplace, and also fit with today’s lighter color interior design preferences. Natural stone also works perfectly with both con
Certain trends have emerged among fireplace fans in recent years. Here’s a look at what’s getting con sumers fired up about these home decor elements.
in neutral colors with minimal trim that directs focus on the fire and not the appliance. When the fireplace is not in use, it blends in with surroundings and will not compete for attention with other design elements.•Convertible fireplaces: Homeowners can choose between open or sealed fireplaces. A convertible fire place enables homeowners to have the best features of these options. A convertible fireplace can be con verted to wood from gas, or the opposite, in as little as 30 minutes.
Fireplaces are useful features in a home. Fireplac es are sources of ambient heat and also add style to indoorFireplacesspaces.can complement just about any interi or style. Fireplaces can be traditional and burn wood or connect to a home’s natural gas supply for on-de mand ambiance. What’s more, fireplaces may come in vented or ventless varieties, depending on home owners’ preferences and what is allowed by commu nity building codes. That means a chimney or flue may not be needed — expanding the list of rooms where a fireplace can be installed.
Home and Garden, Fall 2022 – Page 8
temporary and rustic decor.
— Metro Creative
• Minimalist style: Many fireplaces are designed
Fireplace trends help create attractive, comfortable rooms
shrubs in burlap or covering them in temporary netting can deter deer, who will seek
Keep plants cozy
Promptly remove snow from branches to help trees and shrubs; otherwise, the weight of ice and snow can break off branches and cause irreparable damage.
When resources are scarce, animals will be on the hunt for anything that’s edible, and that includes whatever greenery is growing on a landscape. Physical barriers in garden beds and around trees can help prevent damage caused by moles, voles and deer. Line the bottom and sides of garden beds with garden cloth to prevent ground-burrowing animals from getting in from beneath, suggests the gardening resource I Must Garden.Wrapping
Protect landscapes from wildlife and more over the winter
Make the yard less attractive to deer and bur rowers by opting for fat-based suet cakes to feed birds rather than loose seeds and berries in feed ers, which herbivores will enjoy. Also, don’t over water or mulch landscapes too early. The loose soil and warmth of the mulch may entice moles and voles and other rodents to stick around in those areas and feed on plants.
accessible food sources over the winter. Erect fencing around new trees to keep deer away from the bark and lower branches.
Just because certain greenery will go dormant during the winter doesn’t mean landscape mainte nance ends when the mercury dips. Homeowners can take certain actions to winterproof their prop erties and safeguard landscapes so they recover more readily when spring arrives.
Wrap plants in burlap, garden blankets and plant domes to insulate them from cold weather and some animals. Move container plants into a garage or shielded area for the winter.
Investigate options in snowmelt products, as traditional rock salt can injure buds and branch es and kill lawns. In addition, avoid piling salted snow in one area of the landscape, as it will con centrate the salt in that spot. Spread out snow piles to help minimize the damage to delicate plants.
Use a safer melting product
Metro Creative
Utilize barriers and deterrents
commercial and residential landscaping company.
Erect a snow barrier
Home and Garden, Fall 2022 – Page 9
Winter can place landscapes in peril. A few strategies can provide protection.—
Secure saplings and juvenile plants
Landscapes are vulnerable to the elements during the cold weather months. Everything from de-icing products to hungry animals to the weight of snow can affect trees, shrubs and other plants.
Prior observation tends to educate homeown ers about which areas of the landscape are most vulnerable to snow drifts and blustery winds. During the winter, winds often blow in from a northeasterly direction, but each homeowner can make his or her own assessment. Put up a tarp be tween two stakes to serve as a “snow fence” that protects vulnerable areas of the landscape from blowing snow.
Harsh winds and battering snow can damage young plants. Use stakes and lattices to secure them so they’ll be better able to withstand the weather, suggests Total Landscape Management, a
exclusive to the tree? A crystal or glass cake stand can be transformed into an icy delight when topped with silver and clear glass ornaments.
— Metro Creative
8 easy holiday centerpiece ideas
The main living areas of a home get the most dec orating attention, with a Christmas tree or menorah taking a prominent position in the front window. Garlands, candles and other accoutrements also may dress up spaces. However, when it comes to holiday hosting, attention also should be given to the dining table — which can benefit from a festive centerpiece.Premade
5. Glass baubles: Who says ornaments should be
The holiday season is a great time to make any home a bit more merry and bright. Most individu als let their personalities show through their home decor, and holiday decorating is just as personal as decorating throughout the rest of the year.
white paint. Nestle the boughs and pine cones into a wide-mouthed vase or bowl in the center of the table. Individual pine cones can later be turned into place cards for seating guests.
3. Magical forest: Use green and silver conical party hats to turn a table or sideboard into a verita ble evergreen forest. Arrange them on a blanket of faux snow or white confetti.
Home and Garden, Fall 2022 – Page 10
1. Frosted pine cones: Take advantage of a crisp winter’s day to venture into a forest or park that is rich with evergreen trees. Gather pine cones from the forest floor and, if possible, a few ever green boughs. Give the pine cones a touch of win ter whimsy with a little faux snow in a can or even
centerpieces are undeniably attractive, but adding a homespun touch can be a fun creative pursuit and become a family tradition. Explore these eight simple ideas to dress up your holiday table.
2. Holiday thanks: Cut many strips of paper roughly 6 inches in length from various colored pieces of paper to match the holiday theme. When guests arrive, ask them to write a favorite holiday memory or two, or what they’re thankful for. Twirl the paper strips around a pencil to curl them, and then place the curlicues into a decorative bowl in the center of the table. Later in the evening, the host or hostess can read some of the sentiments.
4. Freshly cut: Select attractive flowers in vibrant holiday hues from a florist or even the supermarket floral section. Cut the stems and place them into an unusual display container, such as holiday themed mugs or a punch bowl.
6. Birch wood: The crisp white coloring of birch bark is right at home with holiday decor. Go stark with pieces of the cut wood in varying heights inter mingled with white candles that mimic the shapes and scale of the wood.
7. Fruit and vegetables: If guests are coming over and the race is on for a fast centerpiece, look no fur ther than the kitchen. Lemons, artichokes, pears, or pomegranates look festive in a bowl interspersed with some greenery and baby’s breath.
8. Cornucopia: The horn of plenty can be cus tomized to any holiday. Purchase a horn in wick er or woven grapevine andfill with flowers, fruit and greenery, or even painted gourds or miniature pumpkins.Holiday hosts and hostesses should not neglect the dining table when they decorate. Festive center pieces can be handmade without much effort on the part of hosts.
nutrients and break down gradually, enriching the soil over the winter.
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Gardeners may have added mulch around shrubs and other areas of the landscape early in the season because it is attractive. But mulch also does much to reduce water loss and pro tect the soil from erosion. It may in hibit weed growth as well. Replacing mulch when the mercury drops can insulate the soil, which helps to reg ulate soil temperature. A thick layer of mulch around root vegetables left in the garden can offer protection against hard frosts.
The gardening resource This Is My Garden recommends planting a cover crop to set the stage for a suc cessful spring. A cover crop protects the soil and can return nutrients to it. When the soil is bare during winter, weed seeds can easily blow in and lie in wait , ultimately becoming a prob lem during the ensuing year. Cov er crops can include clover or field peas, which will increase the levels of available nitrogen.
Divide plant bulbs and plant them where you want flowers like daffodils and tulips to grow in the spring.
Move potted plants
Bring delicate plants into a shel tered area, such as a greenhouse or indoor garage, so they can continue to thrive during the winter.
Amend the soil
Prepare your garden for winter’s onslaught
Prune dormant plants
Replenish mulch
year’sOrnamentalcrops. plants and perenni als can be cut back in fall. Cut down stalks and remove leaves.
— Metro Creative
Plant a cover crop
Divide bulbs
Fall is a perfect time to add soil amendments, such as manure and compost. These fertilizers will add
in the garden. Decaying plants can serve as hosts for pest populations and diseases. Rotting vegetables also can drop unwanted seeds into the soil, which eventually can strip nutri ents that normally would go to next
Individuals who don’t live near the equator or in another warm cli mate know that winter will rear its chilly head this year. Cold tempera tures and snowy conditions may be excellent for skiing and sledding, but gardeners recognize these conditions are not ideal for their plants.
Remove spent plants
Decomposing organic material is the basis for compost and other fer tilizers. However, vegetable plants that are left to sit can lead to decay
Wait until plants are dormant to prune them and adjust their shape. Most shrubs and trees should be pruned in late winter, right before new growth.
The inevitable slowing of activi ty in the garden during fall marks a time to shift attention from constant plant care to preparing the landscape for next season. It may be tempting to simply let Mother Nature take over, but a little pre-winter TLC can ensure gardens make it through win ter unscathed.
Fall and winter still provide op portunities to spend time in the gar den. At this point in the year, garden ers can prepare landscapes for the next season.
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