Tag Archives: autumn

The Debrief

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As the season is winding down and the focus is on chores and putting the garden to bed, a critical task right now is to conduct a comprehensive assessment and review of the garden. Put down the tools, take off the gloves and take a slow walk around the garden.

Really look at the plants and all features with an open, honest gaze. What plants look healthy and performed well but more importantly, what did not and why. Were the unprecedented heat waves in July to blame? Or have conditions such as light exposure changed because of a recently built structure or that surrounding trees have grown tall enough to block out the sun? Lack of rain/too much rain can present challenges. By determining the reasons, solutions can be found. Maybe replace a plant(s) with one more suitable to the changed conditions. Something that is fine with less light/more heat/ too much rain/drought tolerant – now is the time to make decisions and choices to deal with those changes. A little research and some conversation with local horticultural experts will empower one to take appropriate action as we collectively adapt to climate change.

Of all the types of native milkweed available, only the common milkweed grows in my garden as it is more drought tolerant. I must plant more of them. Because of how big a neighbors cedar tree has grown, a climbing rose was struggling to thrive – it was moved to a more suitable location and a native honeysuckle took up residence in the vacated spot.

Similarly, taking a good look at structural elements, hardscaping and outdoor furniture. Repair, replace, renew. This past week, all the fence posts of the Belgian espalier fence, the espaliered cordon of pear, as well as the low rope fence in the front by the street were replaced. The old posts were beginning to show rot after their 20 odd years in the soil. This is something that is not easily noticed till a post actually breaks and a plant is damaged. So its important to check periodically. We’d first noticed the problem a couple of years ago and kept monitoring it till we decided it could not be put off any longer.

A metal plant stand and a couple of metal tables are in dire need of rust removal and fresh coat(s) of paint. I’ve put it off for several years but can no longer ignore how shabby they look. A good winter project awaits.

As unpleasant as the Nor’easter over the weekend was, it really brought to mind that adverse weather exposes problems in the landscape that require action. How the storm water flows teaches us where it collects or floods, where soil is eroded, where mulch is washed away – that calls for prompt remediation before the situation gets worse. Introducing water loving/drought tolerant plants is one type of solution. Maybe some hardscaping is required – water diverting conduits, gravel streams, a retaining wall, edgings.

Over time, some pavers leading to the lower garden have sunk so they need to be lifted, the area regraded before being set down again. I’ll wait till early spring to deal with it but its on my calendar so I won’t forget.

The upside to all this problem seeking mission is that one also comes upon the seasonal delights that abound in the garden. The last of the roses, the unbridled enthusiasm of the asters blooming their hearts out, an unexpected burst of color lighting up a dark corner – the cup runneth over.

Seasonal delights –

(c) 2026 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Autumnal Acts

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After a couple of days of summer like days last week, the temperature is now distinctly autumnal. About time I say. With all the weather fluctuations and uncertainties we are experiencing, it’s been hard to determine how long to put off certain seasonal chores or how soon to get them done. The leaves are only just starting to turn color which is kinda late. I looked at photos from last year to confirm. So who knows what to expect anymore.

Not willing to take my chances, I’ve been forging ahead with my October chores. The plants that spend the winter in the greenhouse are now all tucked inside. As for the ones from the vertical garden – they’ve been taken down, cut back severely and bedded down in the cleaned up vegetable bed. Emptied, cleaned and dried pots have been put away till the spring. As I work, I take note of things that need to be replaced or restocked – they will be obtained shortly and kept ready for action as soon as gardening starts in the spring. Gloves, vine clips, watering wand, vermiculite … the list grows.

A couple of new plants have been introduced to the perennial beds and a good amount of weeding done as well. Noting that the climbing rose on the arch at the entrance to the potager was struggling due to all the shade from the neighbor’s cedar tree that has grown significantly, it’s going to come out soon and relocated to join its sister rose at the arch in the front. A native trumpet honeysuckle purchased yesterday will occupy its vacated spot – I can already see it in bloom with its yellow throated orange-red trumpets drawing hummingbirds, butterflies and bees in droves. Fingers crossed!

Having completed these chores gives me a little break to enjoy the flowers still blooming their hearts out. The asters are sparkling joyously in the autumn sunshine and are hosting all kinds of bees. When I went to pick some flowers to bring inside, it was hard to find an insect free cluster to clip. Joy.

Sitting in the warmth of the sun and watching the leaves pirouette in the breeze has got to be one of the singular pleasures of the season.

It’ll be time soon enough for the annual cut back of the ‘meadow’ and the bulb-planting marathon. So I’m happy for the current respite.

With an eye to the winter months spent primarily indoors, I’m bringing bits of the garden into the house. Starting with arm loads of hydrangea and letting them dry in the vases to potting up bulbs to force an early spring, I’m determined to keep the winter blues at bay.

Myrtle topiaries in the kitchen, orchids in an urn in the dining room, aforesaid hydrangea in the living room, a jasmine in the upstairs living room-my office, its already looking cheerful. Paperwhites and amaryllis will bring holiday glamour in due course.

For someone who is seriously affected by the lack of light in winter, I try to do everything I can to keep my spirits up. Yes, I do make sure to take a long walk everyday, expose myself to light first thing in the morning etc., but having bits of my garden keep me company is positively life affirming.

And now, I must go forth and smell the Brugamansia in the greenhouse. Intoxicating.

Indoor joy –

Screenshot

(c) 2026 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Half And Half

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It’s the Autumnal Equinox today – equal parts summer and fall. That pretty much reflects my current state of mind. I’m half in summer and half in fall. The part that’s in summer wants to linger in the garden savoring the sights, smells and sounds of the season. Still ablaze in hot colors, the goldenrod, asters, nasturtiums, canna and dahlias insist that autumn isn’t upon us. But the drying seedpods of baptisia and amsonia, the green to creamy panicles of Hydrangea ‘limelight’ turning hues of dusty rose to burgundy and, the leaves of several shrubs and trees distinctly taking on the fiery shades of autumn say otherwise. Here I stand seduced by them all.

The weather lately has left me in doubt of which season is winning. In the cool and breezy air, leaves float and swirl from tree limbs to finally carpet my path as I take my morning walk. The hummingbirds have left and I’ve taken down the feeders – they sit clean and dry in anticipation of being called back to duty almost 6 months from now. All my work in the garden is focused on putting the garden to bed.

As I’ve already mentioned, the freestanding greenhouse was thoroughly washed, cleaned and had the insulation panels reinstalled. The propane fueled heater hiccuped when it was checked so that needs due attention.

This past week, I divided the auricula. This is a passion project – I adore auricula but have a lousy record of keeping them alive. I order them (twice), they arrive, get potted up, bloom and then, by midsummer they wilt and die. This year, my third attempt, I was determined to do better. The 6 plants not only bloomed prettily but continued to grow well. Before midsummer arrived, I moved them indoors where they’d enjoy the cooler, lower humidity and light levels. It seemed to work but then suddenly, 3 of them threw in the towel. Bummer. But the remaining 3 have been happy. So much so that I have had the privilege of dividing them – there are now 10 pots of auricula! They’ve been moved into the new greenhouse which is right off the kitchen. That means I get to check on them daily. I so desperately want to succeed in this endeavor. Do wish me luck.

In preparation for overwintering in the greenhouses, I’ve done a lot of trimming, clipping and repotting of plants. The geraniums both scented and fancy leaved have been cut back hard – the hope is that they will not get wild and leggy as they tend to get if merely trimmed.

Other plants such as the boxwood, myrtle, bay and lavender topiaries have all been given a good clipping to maintain their shapes and still other plants have received a severe cut back. It’s important that in their more streamlined state, they will enjoy better air circulation in their somewhat cramped winter quarters. Pots with annuals are being emptied and their entire contents will be added to the compost pile in the woods. Come spring, the mature compost at the bottom of said heap will fill the pots to once again nurture new annuals as well as enrich the veg patch. Recycling at its very basic best.

All the emptied pots as well as those with plants headed to the greenhouse will be ‘power’ washed. The former, once clean and dry, will be safely stored till next season and the latter, so they are as free of hitchhiking pests and other contaminants before entering the greenhouse. In both cases, its about practicing good horticultural hygiene.

With the glut of basil, there was just that much pesto I could make and freeze. So this year, I have also made basil salt – super easy to do. Wash and thoroughly dry the basil leaves. (No stems or blossoms as they tend to be a bit bitter). 4 cups basil leaves + 3 cups kosher salt. Give it a good whiz in the blender. Spread and flatten the mixture to a thin layer on a rimmed cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in preheated oven at 250 degrees for 25 – 30 minutes. It’ll come out really hard. Break it up and put the pieces once again into the blender till its a fine powder. Pour back onto the cookie sheet and let it cool completely. Fill clean, dry jars, label and store. Use to season any dish that could do with a touch of basil flavor.

I now have a few jars to give as gifts to some cooks in my life. Holiday season here I come!

Note: basil blossoms can be pickled with salt and vinegar to use wherever capers are called for in a recipe.

Nasturtium leaves with equal parts parsley make an excellent, peppery pesto. Make it as you would basil pesto but omit the Parmesan. Instead of pine nuts, use cashews.

I guess all of this means we have officially entered Fall. Till next year Summer.

Dahlia
Awaiting the ‘Powerwash” before moving into the greenhouse
Geraniums cut back hard
The wall
Baptisia seedpods
Goldenrod
Aster
Succulent wreath
Auricula
In the new greenhouse

(c) 2026 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Garden Ghosts, Goblins And Gore

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Halloween decorations abound in my neighborhood. In some cases, they’ve been up since mid-September. I’ll come right out and say it, most are neither scary nor attractive. For such a highly anticipated holiday it would be so nice to see some serious creativity on display. But, each to his/her own and I will just mind my own business.

For a long time I’ve considered the fun of setting up a garden of Nature’s horrors to spook visitors. I really think there’s nothing we can come up with that could compete with what the natural world can offer. If I had the wherewithal, I’d create a Halloween Garden. Actually, I’d make two. One for non-gardeners and another for gardeners.

This week, I’ll share my ideas for the Gardener’s Garden of Horror. The correct time to visit would be in the hour before sunset. When the light can be quite dramatic but the details are not sharp. It sets the requisite mood of mystery.

On approaching such a garden, all looks lovely. Splashes of seasonal color herald the visitor. On closer inspection, the garlands of bright orange draping the fence are bittersweet running amok. Miniature balls in shades of pink, mauve and blue abundantly adorn all manner of plants – porcelain berry! And poison ivy resplendent in deep reds and bright ocher is running riot.

A path cuts through a meadow of nothing but stilt grass. Monsters lurking around prove to be shrubs completely covered in English ivy. Huge swathes of gooseneck loosestrife wave gracefully in the breeze.

And what are those lovely iridescent ‘stones’ on the roses? Japanese beetles shimmering away that’s what. Tree trunks covered in both adults and nymphs of the spotted lantern fly look gory.

Walking by what you know to be the vegetable plot, you see a slew of slugs having an extended supper. Every plant has been decimated or defiled.

And so it goes. Invasive plants, dreaded pests! Which gardener will not be petrified by this garden? Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Next week – the Non-gardeners Halloween Garden.

Note: Since I don’t want to traumatize you gardeners any further, I’ll spare you any scary images! Instead, here are images of a Patrick Blanc vertical garden I had the joy of seeing in Aix-en- Provence, France a couple of weeks ago. What a treat. What a diversity of plants! On the side of a bridge under which cars whiz by, I’m not sure how many drivers realize just how amazing this installation truly is. Nevertheless, their world is rendered significantly more healthy and beautiful. This should become a global movement I say!

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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October Fest

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I love this time of year – waking up to a chilly morning that warms up rapidly to give summer vibes and then, by sunset we reach for a light jacket and consider if it is too early to light a fire or turn on the heat. The leaves are dropping crisp and tawny from some trees, turning all the various shades of ocher on others and still others resplendently green and loathe to let go of summer. October, you are a month that tantalizes and teases.

It’s also the second busiest time in the garden. So without much ado, I present to you October’s To-Do List –

1. Yes, weeding continues!

2. Time to plant perennials and trees. Give a good dose of compost to each. Water regularly. Perennials already in place can be divided and re-planted as well.

3. Cut back all spent plants except what is needed by the birds as well as for seasonal interest.

4. Collect seeds. Store in labeled envelopes in a cool, dry space.

5. Last call to root cuttings of geraniums, coleus, rosemary etc.,

6. Get all pots of tender perennials into clean greenhouse or other winter shelters. Wash plants and pots thoroughly first – minimizes pest infestation.

7. Plant bulbs as weather gets consistently cooler. Bulbs can be planted until soil freezes solid.

8. Rake leaves but only if you must. Leaves can be left in place to provide winter shelter for small critters. However, it is not always possible to do so when the amount of leaves is way too much and can create conditions that completely smother the grass or plants beneath. Add raked leaves to compost pile or deposit in woods.

9. Give compost heap a good stir.

10. Clean out vegetable garden except for cool weather plants that are still producing. Apply several inches of compost on cleared beds. Plant green manure to enrich the soil – optional.

11. Clean and put away (or cover) outdoor furniture.

12. Check what needs repairing, repainting, replacing and get to it!

13. Lift tender bulbs, corms and tubers. Store in a dry, frost-free place.

14. Drain and close all outdoor water faucets. Empty rain barrel and hoses. Store.

15 Clean all equipment and tools. Store neatly.

16. As temperatures plummet, protect tender shrubs and immovable  frost sensitive pots and statuary. I cover the former with burlap and for the latter, I first cover with sturdy plastic and then use burlap so it looks halfway decent. Plastic looks even more unsightly in winter when the landscape is already stark.

17. Remove suckers from ornamental and fruit trees. Prune roses and wisteria. Remove dead and decaying limbs from all plants.

18. Fill up bird feeders. Keep them filled through the winter. Put up nest boxes for the spring.

19. Get into the autumnal spirit – fill window boxes and urns with seasonal plants and produce.

Some seasonal scenes from my wanderings –

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Worried About Weird

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October – the month of strange and spooky sights culminating in the grand finale that is Halloween. But this year, the weather has decided to go all in and turned positively weird. And I’m a bit rattled. The month began typically enough with temperatures dipping as the days got distinctly shorter. That signaled to me to get cracking with the Fall chores in the garden. Having been away a while, I was behind in tasks like getting the greenhouse cleaned and its winter residents prepared for the move in. So I hustled. A few plants were already showing some stress from having been kept outdoors a tad too long. Finally, this past weekend the whole project got done. Whew!

However, by aforementioned weekend, the temperature had climbed to suggest we were back to summer. Sunny and warm felt great personally but not for this time of October in the garden. Positively unsettling. While most plants are retiring for the season and many have gone to seed, some, emboldened by the weather, have begun reblooming completely out of turn. It’s a confused state of affairs alright.

Meanwhile, weirdly, there was no sign of the shipment of bulbs that usually arrives by early October and I was getting a wee bit concerned. What a relief when it was finally delivered late Saturday evening. But now, we were looking ahead at a whole week of daytime temperatures in the 70s going down to late 50s at night. Way too warm! For bulb planting, the soil temperature needs to be below 55 degrees. I’m hoping to plant over the first weekend in November. All my under-gardeners (okay family) have been told to be ready. I hate to consider postponing the great planting marathon. It’s a quandary that might be a foretelling of future gardening practices as the climate changes.

Until a few years ago, I planted bulbs in early October. That has been slowly delayed into November. To think of doing the job closer to Thanksgiving and beyond is weird. And there is also concern about the winter itself. Many bulbs require weeks of solid cold to bloom in Spring. Will we have that? And for how long? Worrisome for sure.

Other Fall chores like emptying, cleaning and putting away pots, winter-pruning hedges and shrubs, cutting back certain plants, draining and shutting off outdoor taps were also accomplished. Felt mighty odd to be doing the work in summer like weather. It’s been very dry here so the lack of rain is an additional bummer. What on earth is going on?!

But one thing I’m certain of – we gardeners are resilient and will figure out how to pivot and learn what needs to be changed, adjusted and adapted. Till then, we shall commiserate, complain and carry on gardening.

Scenes from the garden today – senescence, renaissance in the nonce!

(c) 2024 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Fruits Of Our Labor

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Fall is so much busier than spring. Following winter, all the work is focused on getting the garden going. In autumn however, in addition to the myriad chores of putting the garden to bed, there is the urgency of reaping all the obvious and not so obvious benefits that come along.

In the last two weeks, the perennials to replace the ones that had been lost in the big drainage project have been planted. Some new ones were added as well – how could I not exploit the opportunity! Also, a friend’s generous gift of some native plants have found their home in the meadow. That about is all the planting that’s happening this season. Apart from the great big bulb planting in early November of course.

I’m behind in getting the greenhouse cleaned and readied to receive the winter guests. The guests meanwhile need to be spruced up with some cutting and trimming and then given a vigorous shower to rid them of dirt, debris and any pesky stowaways. It’s a process that requires some care and time. With temperatures dropping this week, I’m feeling the pressure to get it all done quickly. The greenhouse was attended to over the weekend and yesterday I began on the plants that will go into it. Clipping and shaping each one can be meditative so I quite enjoy the task. Not so much removing all the weeds that love to grow at the base of the plants. It always surprises me how easily weeds show up in pots. Power washing to clean both pots and plants can be fun on a mild day but I’m not guaranteed that this week. Fingers crossed that by weeks end this project will be completed.

In the midst of all the work, I’ve also been busy getting the larder stocked, creating some holiday decorations and setting aside inspiration for future watercolor paintings. As I removed the annual under-plantings from pots, I set aside the nasturtium plants – the leaves of which were collected and along with the last of the parsley turned into a delicious pesto. A couple of jars now dwell in the freezer – taste of summer for cozy winter meals.

Leaves from the trimmings of the rose-geraniums will be used for a most tasty drink – rose-geranium cordial with a splash of champagne or bubbly water makes for a fun and festive drink.

Bay leaves from the freshly coiffed bay standards have been set aside. I pretty much give them all away to friends who enjoy flavoring their culinary creations with them. I simply pluck them fresh as needed. This year, I’m saving a few sprigs to paint gold and insert them into the magnolia wreath.

Note: Earlier in summer, I’d trimmed the magnolia espalier, The surfeit of the beautiful leaves were preserved with glycerin and then used to make a rather lovely wreath. The gilded bay leaves will be inserted into this wreath and should make a nice counterpoint to the magnolia.

Finally, I cut the okra plants with the dried pods still on them. The pods look striking and will be models for my ongoing watercolor seedpod series. Once I’ve finished painting, they too might go on that magnolia wreath.

Separately, hydrangeas harvested last week are drying nicely and will adorn the mantel.

Such a satisfying thrill to be decorating for the holidays with gifts from my garden.

And now, back to the work of putting the garden to bed. Much needs to be done before the large shipment of bulbs arrive in time for planting. See how much busier it is in the Fall garden?

Rosemary clippings.
Some of the rose-geranium for cordial making
Okra seedpods. So gorgeous!
Final harvest of Prasley
Nasturtium leaves for pesto
Cardinal vine still going strong
Summer’s last

(c) 2024 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Fall Fever

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The leaves are finally turning color and some are making slow pirouettes down where they lay scattered like tired confetti. Even as my mind turns to pre-winter chores on hand, my focus is clearly on post-winter dreams.

The recent drainage project that literally dug up my front perennial beds gave me the opportunity to add certain plants I’d long wanted. A few weeks ago, the beds were fully replanted with several of the old members and a whole host of new ones. In my mind’s eye, I can see them thriving and performing exactly as expected. Time will tell.

Soon, the bulb shipment will arrive and with all hands on deck, the rather large order will be planted. All the while, visions of a splendid spring will be dancing in my head.

As it gets cooler, I can feel the pressure to move the tender perennials into the the greenhouse. But before that, the greenhouse itself must be cleaned and prepared for its winter residents. So much to do!

The poem below says it all. I wrote it in 2008.

Autumn List

Make haste

No time to waste

Lawn to reseed

Composter to feed

Plants to behead

To put garden to bed

Bulbs to place

In hollowed space

Rake the leaves

Haul wood to cleave

Pick remaining produce

Debris to reduce

Soil to turn

Calories will burn

Mulch to protect

Weeds to reject

STOP!

Now, pause awhile

Breathe and smile

Cast your gaze

On trees ablaze

Enjoy autumn’s beauty

Amidst garden duty

Have some fun

As chores get done.

  • Shobha Vanchiswar

Note: Seasonal images from my neighborhood as well as from Ithaca, NY where I was over the weekend –

(c) 2024 Shobha Vanchiswar

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October Rising

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October Rising

Fall is well and truly here. Daylight arrives late as one who decided to sleep in a tad longer. The garden still abundant in blooms appears to have acquired distinctly autumnal colors. I step out to commune with the plants and the honed air slices through my linen shirt sending me hurrying inside to grab a shawl. Having only recently returned from vacation, there hasn’t been time to swap out the seasonal closet. But now, I’m taking my cues from the turning leaves and scheduling the retiring of lighter clothes and reemploying warmer wear. My heart however, has yet to let go of summer.

The myriad chores of the season await but first, I want to savor the days remaining when one can still linger outside basking in sparkling sunlight and boisterous beauty. Because Fall is, if nothing, lusty and lovely.

Things To Do In October

1. Yes, weeding continues!

2. Time to plant perennials and trees. Give a good dose of compost to each. Water regularly. Perennials already in place can be divided and re-planted as well.

3. Cut back all spent plants except what is needed for seasonal interest and what you’re saving for the birds.

4. Collect seeds. Store in labeled envelopes in a cool, dry space.

5. Last call to root cuttings of geraniums, coleus, rosemary etc.,

6. Get all pots of tender perennials into clean greenhouse or other winter shelters. Wash plants and pots thoroughly first – minimizes pest infestation.

7. Plant bulbs as weather gets consistently cooler. Bulbs can be planted until the soil freezes solid.

8. Rake leaves. Add to compost pile or deposit in woods. I leave a good part as is to protect the earth, provide winter refuge to critters and eventually nourish the soil when the leaves will naturally break down.

9. Give the compost heap a good stir.

10 Clean out vegetable garden except for cool weather plants that are still producing. Apply several inches of compost on cleared beds. Plant green manure to enrich the soil – optional.

11. Clean and put away (or cover) outdoor furniture.

12. Check what needs repairing, repainting, replacing and get to it!

15 Clean all equipment and tools. Store neatly.

16. As temperatures plummet, protect tender shrubs and immovable  frost sensitive pots and statuary. I cover the former with burlap and for the latter, I first cover with sturdy plastic and then use burlap so it looks halfway decent.

17. Remove suckers from ornamental and fruit trees. Prune roses and wisteria. Remove dead and decaying limbs from all plants.

18. Fill up bird feeders. Keep them filled through the winter. Put up nest boxes for the spring.

19. Get into the autumnal spirit – fill window boxes and urns with seasonal plants and produce.

13. Lift tender bulbs, corms and tubers such as dahlias and canna. Store in dry, frost-free place. As I grow mine in pots, I merely cut the plants down and move the pots into the basement where they will spend the winter in dormancy.

14. Drain and close all outdoor water faucets. Empty rain barrel and hoses. Store.

My terrace and meadow right now –

(c) 2024 Shobha Vanchiswar

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November! Last Call!

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November! The month of winding down the gardening, finding comfort indoors and giving thanks. A month for review and gratitude. This gift of time behooves me to use it well. As I go about the final round of garden chores, I take stock of how things went for both garden and gardener. Were expectations met? Did I do right by my covenant to do no harm? What balls were dropped? What were the successes/failures? It’s an inventory of what all has happened in the garden this passing year.

I make note of my assessments and observations. In December, I will reflect on the points. But for now I must get the remaining chores completed.

Things To Do In November

1. First and foremost, put away all Halloween decorations. Set up Thanksgiving displays – gourds, pumpkins, ornamental kales and cabbages, chrysanthemums and asters.

2. Having cut back plants and cleared debris, mulch all plant beds with fallen leaves and/or bark chips. Putting down layers of newspaper or opened up paper grocery bags over the soil and then covering with fallen leaves is a really good, eco-friendly, sustainable practice.

3. Hurry up and finish all pending tasks from last month!

4. Finish planting spring flowering bulbs.

5. Protect pots to be left outdoors, vulnerable plants such as boxwood, certain roses, and garden statuary.

6. Reinstall and fill bird feeders. Note: in my area, we are cautioned to not put up feeders due to bear sightings.

7. Be prepared for snow and ice. Keep snow shovels, grit or sand, firewood stocked and handy.

8. In case of power outage, have candles, flashlights, matches and batteries on the ready. A radio too – I have a radio that uses batteries but it can also be charged up by mechanical cranking. Came in handy when a few years ago we lost power and Internet for a whole week due to Hurricane Sandy.

9. Finish raking leaves. Remember, leaving fallen leaves in place is encouraged. I keep only the various paths and my tiny lawn clear as the former needs to be kept safe for passage and the latter risks getting smothered to death if the thick pile of leaves shed from surrounding trees are left in place. Those leaves on the lawn are raked and distributed over the adjacent beds.

10. Clean and store tools. Get appropriate ones sharpened.

11. Start setting aside seed and plant catalogs. Soon you will be planning for next year!

12. While the weather is pleasant enough, keep on weed watch!

13. In the greenhouse, be sure the heater is doing its job. Ventilation is also important to keep plants healthy.

14. Start a routine for regular watering of plants indoors. Keep vigil for early signs of pests or disease.

15. Start growing amaryllis and paperwhites for seasonal cheer. Similarly, put bulbs such as hyacinths, muscari , crocus and tulips in for cooling. (I use my refrigerator). In about fourteen to eighteen weeks, you can start forcing them and pretend it is spring indoors!

16. Enjoy a beautiful Thanksgiving. Plan for it.

Some scenes from the garden and home –

Brugamansia giving a final hurrah for the season. I brought it indoors to best enjoy its beauty and fragrance.

(c) 2023 Shobha Vanchiswar

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