Marigolds still bloom despite first frost of fall

A true horticultural treat awaits anyone fortunate enough to stop in at Grandescapes nursery prior to its fall closure. The variety of plants still available was impressive; the fall sale prices are tempting enough to fill your vehicle; and the plants themselves were not only attractively displayed but healthy, robust and disease- and pest-free. I was able to purchase several varieties that previously I had only located through mail-order catalogs. Mail-order purchases were for the same price but were one-fourth the size.

Don’t think nursery plants are only for the out-of-doors.  Grandescapes also has a wide variety of indoor selections plus many flowering begonias that do well as table-top center pieces or window displays. They also offer an incredible color range of fall mums — these can be left in their pots and placed along the steps or on the porch for a quick color spot. The possibilities are endless.

Their varieties of landscaping bricks are also unique, coming in styles I have never seen. It opens up a whole new world of creativity. They offer landscaping services, and if their landscaping is as tasteful and as attractive as their overall classy act, I am sure one would not be disappointed.

Although they will be closed for the winter, Rene, one of the owners, assured me they would be back next spring. I look forward to being one of their first customers.

And so we begin our sojourn into fall, my Tagetes marigolds (Lemon Gem) are still blooming despite our first frost. I am gradually moving the sensitive plants from our deck into the house. I usually do this in stages, it assists me in locating problem plants if one has harbored unwanted pests and brought them indoors.

We were forced to pick the remaining tomatoes to cut our losses from the rampaging deer. They didn’t seem content to just eat one here and there — they appeared to be dancing on the vines and trampling what they didn’t eat. As the tomatoes ripen, I simply toss them in the freezer and after collecting enough they are cooked to make tomato sauce. It’s usually a minimum of a half-day project, so if you try this method, be sure to allow enough time to cook them slowly and prevent scorching.

Don’t forget to apply mulch or additional soil to any plants that may have their top feeder roots exposed as a result of watering. They simply must be protected from freezing. Even purchasing a bag or two of potting soil mix and placing about three inches of it around new plants can be sufficient to protect it over the winter, providing you don’t have a large area to cover.

It seems odd to be speaking of winter already, summer was just a blur. And so until next time, please go and have some final fun in your garden. I know I will.

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