Like inconstant lovers, the garden and gardener go into chill mode as autumn advances. It’s never easy, and while the ground is still warm, the transition can be downright painful.
Listening to Roy Orbison’s immortal lines, “Golden days before they end / Whisper secrets to the wind,” from his song “It’s Over,” captures the mood I’m feeling at this time of year. Is the final curtain really about to drop? Songs that lament the end of a relationship can speak to all kinds of loss, and the garden is no exception. That doesn’t mean you have to throw in the trowel just yet, but the growing season is shifting from major to minor, to borrow a phrase from Cole Porter. And we all know what comes next.
I’m of the mindset that it’s NOT over yet. There are still lovely days to be had — and plenty to do. This past week, I spent a couple of glorious afternoons in the front garden, snipping back and tidying while studying how the landscape has matured over time.
It’s only October, and I’m already thinking about next July. I’m picturing how I might tweak this border or rework that planting in my never-ending quest to improve our garden plot. Gardening is a continual process of problem-solving, and I’ve been satisfied with many of the modifications I’ve made over the years. But growth brings change, and sometimes that means removing or relocating plants, rethinking a planting scheme, or reconsidering the end goal itself.
I always start by looking at the cornerstones of a space. In an area I’ve dubbed the “Shower Garden,” thanks to its proximity to our outdoor shower, I’ve planted hydrangeas and ornamental grasses — including the straight-as-a-soldier Karl Foerster feather reed grass and taller zebra grass — along with a panoply of shrubs, from butterfly bush and Rose of Sharon to Lespedeza, also known as bush clover. A goldenrod that planted itself has added an unexpected splash of color, creating a pretty scene. Assorted roses and seasonal perennials round out the mix, with thyme growing between the slate stones of the path.
This is a true summer garden, and it’s undergone plenty of changes over the years. I installed short grasses along the slate pavers, only to take them out as they really didn’t work well. As the garden grew and I expanded the beds, the space became nearly impenetrable. Several years ago, I carved a path down the middle, making it easier to navigate while adding an appealing visual element.
I’d call this garden a late bloomer in the sense that it’s taken a long time to evolve. My husband planted an apple tree at one end and an apricot tree at the other, and both have grown enough to cast dappled shade. Now I have a decision to make: prune the trees, where appropriate, to preserve more sunlight — the likely choice — or embrace the changing conditions and redesign the garden with plants better suited to the shade.
And so the planning begins. Even as the garden prepares to settle in for winter, I’m already thinking about what comes next.
One key to gardening is not to lose the plot. Take time to actually experience your garden, admiring it and engaging all your senses. That is the point, after all. It’s about the gardener’s willingness to keep observing, rethinking and imagining — even when the season seems to be telling us to stop.
The October To-Do List
-Plant spring bulbs and garlic; divide rhubarb.
-Divide or move perennials while the ground is still warm.
-Collect seeds from purple coneflowers, zinnias, marigolds, hollyhocks and other favorites. Label and store them in dry, airtight containers.
-Rake leaves and shred prunings to add to the compost pile.
-Scratch bone meal into peony and iris beds, as appropriate.
-Give the lawn one last cut, leaving the grass about 1½ inches high.
-Water evergreens if conditions are dry.
-Harvest pumpkins and winter squash once their skins have hardened. Cure them in a warm, dry place, then store in cool, dry conditions.
-Rough up future garden borders to expose the soil to winter weather.
-Fork existing borders and incorporate previously applied mulch where needed.
-Clean the garden shed.
-Set out food and fresh water for birds migrating south.
-Shop for bargains at the nursery.
“A Gard’ner’s Work is never at an end; it begins with the Year and continues to the next.” —John Evelyn, “The Gard’ner’s Almanac” 1664
The Seaside Gardener
By Laura McLean