Browse

bulbs deer repellents topiary Statues Planters TABLE OF CONTENTS Books Magazines And Videos Bulbs For Other Wildlife For The Birds Fountains Garden Accessories Garden Art Garden Giftware Garden Supplies Home Jewelry Boxes Not Tagged Outdoor Living Planters Repellents Supplies Time Pieces Tools Topiary Water Gardening Weathervanes Yard And Garden

Autumn, already??

I have always said that I could never leave Connecticut. The change of season is timed perfect - just when you get so tired of one season, the next one rolls around. I am not really feeling that right now. We've kind of missed summer this year.

Regardless, autumn is really doing everything to show itself.  It's amazing how the smell of the air changes - the crispness of the air.   I do enjoy that part.  

Though many believe it is going to be a spectacular foliage display this year, I wonder.  It seems to me that a  lot of trees have rushed into dormancy.  There has been a significant amount of leaves dropping for the last month already.

  The dormancy process is a very long and slow one; actually starting at the end of June.  Plants need water to be a solvent-dissolving nutrients and to transport from the roots throughout the rest of the plant to disperse carbohydrates.  Water acts as a coolant, is a part of photosynthesis, and  simply put, is an  essential component in every living cell.  With leaves getting filled to capacity with water and sugars, the sugars start moving back to the stems and trunk (causing the change in leaf color!) for storage during dormancy.  All of this summer's rain has not only quickened this process but has done a number on soil structure as well.  Too much water causes a decrease in oxygen which is necessary for root growth and water uptake to roots.  Simply turning your soil, adds an enormous amount of oxygen.   Working in vermiculite and perilite will help to aerate soil.   Adding organic matter as you till will encourage microbial activity.   An organic soil increases water transporting capabilities -helping to carry nutrients.  

On the lighter side, I am filling my windowboxes with pansies and ornamental cabbages to replace the waterlogged annuals that just were not able to hang in there.  I will enjoy these new plants all the way to December!

 I need to stretch this season as long as I can. . . .

9/23/00