Southern Gardening Potpourri for October

With the leaves falling and dotting our yards with yellow, light tan, red and orange, this is a good indication that the season has changed from summer to fall. I can tell that we have had plenty of rain this summer because the leaves seem more brilliant than last year when we were in a drought. Since I have large oak trees which produce large leaves, I have placed them on top of my dining room table. These leaves stand out in contrast against a white table cloth. Then add pumpkins and instantly the tablescape is fall, halloween and Thanksgiving all rolled into one. In October we will be celebrating one official holiday, Columbus Day, and one unofficial holiday, halloween. Let us all be mindful that safety comes first when trick or treating.

GARDEN DESIGN TIP

A good design concept in landscapes or in flower gardens, is the Rule of 3. This idea means that one would be planting trees and shrubs in lots of 3 or other odd numbers to create a more natural, balanced appearance. If you look at nature, you do not see trees or shrubs lined up like soldiers in the field. Rather there are more random, scattered plantings. Odd numbers create a more appealing and balanced look giving the garden or landscape a sense of depth and rhythm. In the flower garden, this translates to the larger the plant, the less you need in the clump. For instance, and this also depends on the actual dimensions of the area, digitalis or hollyhocks would normally be planted in groups of three where fillers. such as impatiens, would have 5 to 7 plants. Now if you are planting formal beds, this concept does not apply since the beds would most probably consist of one or two flowers. If you follow this tip, your flower garden or landscape will create a dynamic and cohesive planting.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF GARDENING

There is data available to show that gardening is good for your health. The bending, lifting, digging, and just plain moving not only burns calories, but helps tone muscles, supports dexterity, and balance. Also spending time outdoors in sunlight, is a great avenue to obtain Vitamin D which helps the bones, the brain and the gut. Gardening gets you outside with nature which improves mental health and is a key to one's overall happiness. When one is engaging in gardening, this reduces stress, and instills a sense of purpose. So when you spend time in your garden, you are truly investing in a healthy future.

PLANT OF THE MONTH --COREOPSIS-Asteraceae, Aster family

The large genus of flowers is made up of summer blooming and fall blooming perennials that produce daisy-like flowers. They range in height from under a foot to over 6 feet tall. They are easy to care for, make great cut flowers, and will return year after year. Another asset is that they are drought tolerant. Although they really do not need to be constantly dead headed like geraniums, I just give them a haircut after the flush of blooms die which encourages more blooms. To propagate this flower, one can collect seed and sow in the spring, or take stem cuttings in early summer which root quickly or by division. These plants come in a variety of colors, even variegated. I have purchased them in local nurseries and big box store garden centers.

HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY AND GOOD GARDENING