Tidying Up, Winding Down, and Looking Ahead Here in central Virginia, the first hints of fall show up in October, and by the end of the month cool nights are the norm. By November, frost is a given, the leaves have all turned, and most of the trees stand bare. November is a month for…
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November Gardening Tips
How to Grow Coleus from Cuttings
I have a confession: I never expected this to work as well as it did. A few weeks ago I snipped some stems from a healthy coleus, popped them in water, and waited. In just two to four weeks, I had four brand new plants ready to pot up. If you have a coleus you…
How to Compost Fall Leaves: Turn Autumn Leaves Into Garden Gold
Every October, the big sugar maple near our garden shed drops its leaves in what feels like a single weekend. One day the yard is green, and the next I’m scrunching through ankle-deep gold and wondering where I left the rake. I used to see that pile as a chore. Now I see it as…
October Gardening: Tasks and Tips
October is the time of year for pumpkins, squash, scrunching through piles of fall leaves, and enjoying the last of the lovely weather before winter sets in. Here in Virginia, October can go either way — sometimes it stays warm, and sometimes the first frosts move in and finish off the summer vegetables. At this…