“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus.
“Autumn colors remind us we are all one dancing in the wind.” – Lorin Morgan-Richards.
“In the entire circle of the year, there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October.” – Alexander Smith.
“The trees are in their autumn beauty, the woodland paths are dry, under the October twilight the water mirrors a still sky.” – William Butler Yeats.
“Ah, Lovely October, as you usher in the season that awakens my soul, your awesome beauty compels my spirit to soar like a leaf caught in an autumn breeze and my heart to sing like a heavenly choir.” – Peggy Toney Horton.
Helene was devastating to so many areas of the southeast. My prayers are uplifted to those who lost family, friends, and property. October has arrived bringing with it a more comfortable time in the great outdoors following the heat of summer. The following landscape notes might be helpful to you throughout the month.
Azaleas: Azaleas can bloom from late winter into early summer, depending on type. To extend the season, plant early-, mid-, and late-season bloomers in the landscape. During the selection process, give consideration to flower color, projected mature size of adult plants, and their season of bloom. For example, southern Indian hybrids and Glenn Dale hybrids are medium to tall shrubs, sometimes growing 8-12 feet tall. Gumpo azaleas seldom exceed three feet in height, but may have a spread of five feet or more. Southern Indian hybrids and Glenn Dale hybrids bloom in early to mid-spring, while Gumpos make their show in May and June. Always make those choices giving successive bloom dates, thus extending the blooming season.
Also, the “Red Ruffles” Rutherford hybrid is early-blooming and grows to 2-4 feet tall and needs mid-day shade. The “George Lindley Taber” southern Indica hybrid offers midseason blooms and reaches 4-6 feet in height. The “Sherwood Red” and “Coral Bells” Kurume hybrids bloom early to mid-season bloom and get 2-4 feet tall. The Spider Azalea is very rare and blooms early to mid-season and grows 4-6 feet tall. The “Gumpo Pink” Satsuki hybrid blooms late season with 1-2 feet in height. The “Pride of Mobile” southern Indica hybrid is a mid-season bloomer and reaches 4-6 feet in height. In addition, always consider using the native azaleas which are a good fit for this area.
Dahlias: After frost has killed the tops of dahlias, cut back the stalks to about three inches above the ground level. A week later, dig the tubers and dry them in the sun for a few days. After drying, use a fungicide, and store in mesh bags in a cool, dry environment for their winter home. Before planting next spring, divide each clump to tubers containing a growth bud and discard the central portion of the plant.
Hardscapes: The weather still promotes the development of your ideas for sidewalks, courtyards, patios, gazebos, etc. for multi-seasonal use and enjoyment. Such areas can become an integral part of the landscape throughout each season.
Houseplants: Plants brought outside for the summer need extra care while they acclimate and re-adjust to the indoors where light and air flow will be very critical. Acclimate them from their outdoor home to their new indoor home by parking them in transition setting (carport or garage) for a couple of weeks. Once inside, check their placement to insure their safety from the potential harmful air flow of heating ducts and exterior doorways. Also, be sure they are receiving sufficient lighting. Dust off large-leaved plants, such as saddle leaf philodendron, to prevent the build-up of dust and grime on the leaf surface which will interfere with effective photosynthesis and ultimately, plant health.
Mulch: Replenish mulch in flower beds and around shrubs and trees. Add enough pine straw, pine bark, or other organic material to make a layer 3 to 4 inches thick. Consider removing the old mulch to improve air flow and exchange between soil and atmosphere and to minimize disease and insect habitats. However, keeping the old mulch in place does offer enrichment to the soil condition.
Nursery stock: New shipments of ornamentals should continue to arrive at local nurseries. Current inventories offer a larger number of choices. Take the time to peruse local inventories and note the choices available. Read all about your choices on the plant label and research them on the internet. Learn as much as you can about the plants you choose before you purchase them. When planted and maintained properly in the landscape, the plants should be very healthy in the spring.
Outdoor containers: Keep empty pots, urns and other clay or ceramic containers turned upside down so that water will not collect in them and freeze, causing breakage. If containers are too large to be moved, you can still keep them from collecting water and add some landscape interest in the process. Just insert nursery stock, pot and all, in the containers for the season. Fill in around the potted plant with wood chips or other mulching material to insulate the roots against freezing.
Transplanting: Begin moving shrubs that were root pruned earlier in late summer in preparation for transplanting. Have new planting holes prepared before actually digging the subject plant to insure ease of process effectiveness and minimal damage to the plant. Avoid transplanting on windy days so that roots will not be exposed to excessive drying winds. After transplanting, selectively prune about one-third of the plant to compensate for root damage. Water thoroughly, and apply a mulch of pine straw, wood chips, or shredded bark. Water regularly during dry periods to encourage rapid re-establishment of the plants.
“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23. “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” Luke 9:25. “If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26. “So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Hebrews 9:28. “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the Lord. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the Lord’s.” Exodus 9:29.