October 2006

   Well -  here we are in October...the frost is on the pumpkin and the days are getting shorter.  Very soon we will turn the clocks back and the darkness will come in the afternoon !   The gardens are fading and becoming enveloped in a thick blanket of leaves.  It is this time of year that we ask ourselves “ Why do we live in the woods with all of these leaves ?”  While the leaves may be beautiful in the spring summer and early fall....once they start to drop it is hard to think of anything else but the chore of raking.  But you could get some of those leaves to work for you.

   Now is the time to think of cold composting.  It is easy to do and requires no maintenance.  It does take longer for the plant materials to break down using the cold composting method versus hot composting.  But if you are not composting at all – this is a good place to start.   All you need to do is choose a spot in the corner of your yard and make a pile of grass clippings and leaves.   You want to make sure that you do not include any diseased plants or weeds.  Cold composting has been shown to be better at suppressing soil borne diseases but it does not kill weed seeds and other disease organisms.  Add yard waste as it collects.  No need to turn the pile.  These piles of leaf litter etc. offer shelter for the beneficial insects and creatures which break down the leaf litter into nutrients during the winter months.  A pile of cold compost like this is the basis of organic gardening.

   While fall planting is good for many plants, it is not a good time to buy and plant perennials that are less hardy here in Killingworth.  Plants that might not survive a very cold winter would best be planted in the spring even if protected during the winter.   

   Do finish any fall planting before all of the leaves are off the trees.  Later than that does not give the plants time to settle in and develop roots which anchor the plant and protect them against heaving during temperature fluctuations. 

   Now is the time to really enjoy the out of doors.  Go to an orchard and do some apple picking.   Pick out a pumpkin to carve.  Take a stroll through your garden and enjoy what you have accomplished this year.  I know that this fall in my garden there are still quite a few things flowering and many more green leaves than I have had in years past at this time of October.  It has been a very good growing season.   And remember that things you planted this year have now had the benefit from this good growing season...so you have a lot to look forward to next spring!  

   Take a little time and plant a few bulbs... It is always so pleasant to see those first bulbs coming up in the spring when the world is still so grey and brown from the long winter !   It takes a little effort but it is well worth it!

Happy Gardening