Frost

We finally got our first frost on Oct. 18. Interestingly enough we actually got several inches of snow before we got our first freeze! I have been putting away the perennials for the winter--we trim them back and let them freeze. They need at least 6 weeks of dormancy to perform well next season. Now the begonias and canna lilies have been frosted, I can start taking up my bulbs and drying them for another year. Next up--get ready for the holiday season!!

Bats

It's the time of year when we start to see bats used for Holloween decorations. These misunderstood mammals are very beneficial . In the U.S., most bats are insect eaters. The little brown bat consumes an average of 600 insects an hour. They feed several times a night. That's a lot of bugs that won't be bugging you!!!

Fall blossoms

Are you looking for something that blossoms in September-October other than rudbeckia?
Try some of these: Aconitum, anemone, asters, chelone, Sweet Autumn clematis, eupatorium, helianthus, hibiscus, and trycirtus. All are hardy and easy to grow!

Moonlight garden

Here are some ideas for a moonlight herb garden. Artemesia, shasta daisy, baby's breath, russian sage, white rose, cerastium tomentosa, lavender cotton, lamb's ear, horehound, white phlox, boltonia, lychnis coronaria, white columbine, and wormwood.

More on natural repellents

Lavender and mints are ready now for harvesting. Lavender makes a great sachet for your drawers and linens. Just dry your lavender(you can even dry some mint and rosemary to go with it) and make little sachets for you drawers. It makes things smell good and even repels moths.

Did you know mice hate the smell of peppermint? Dry peppermint and lay the stems on your attic floor to repel these creatures or use peppermint oil on cotton balls to keep mice out of you camper or attic or anywhere you see mice travel. They are like ants and like to use the same trail.

natural repellent

I found this recipe for a natural bug repellent. Crush 1 1/2 cups rosemary leaves aand 1 1/2 cups pennyroyal leaves. Place in a jar and cover with 2 cups pure vegetable oil. Seal container and keep in dark place for 2 weeks, shaking it a bit every day. After 2 weeks, strain the liquid and store in sealed dark colored bottle for up to six months. Spray or rub directly exposed skin.

I just got in a big order of new statuary. Stop by and check it out!

Growing Native

If you would like to try some native plants here are a few that you might like: amsonia, asclepias, boltonia, baptisia, cimicifuga, eupatorium, lobelia, monarda,tiarella and rudbeckia. All are easy to grow and very hardy.