Fall Plantings

We immediately think of mums, but there are also ornamental kales and cabbages for sale. They are hardy even after frost and as temperatures drop, their colors often get deeper.
Many garden centers have perennials, shrubs and trees on sale at this time so take advantage of lower prices and add more life to your garden. 

And of course, autumn is the time to plant tulip and daffodil bulbs for color next spring. And remember the smaller bulbs like crocus, grape hyacinth and snowdrops which are the first to pop in early spring.

-MJ

Greenhouse Gardening

Please join The Dracut Garden Club and Paul Steen, a retired physician and healthcare software executive, who will be speaking to us about Greenhouse Gardening!

WHEN:  Wednesday, October 7th, 2015 at 7 PM 

WHERE:  Harmony Hall,  1660 Lakeview Ave., Dracut, MA

The basics of greenhouse gardening will be covered along with:

• types of greenhouses
• heating and ventilating needs and how to measure
• soils, pots, water, and fertilizers

He will also address the gardening aspects of greenhouses including dealing with new plants, unwanted visitors, sanitation, and space allocation.

Time will be allowed for questions and discussion on what plants to grow.

Paul has been gardening for over 50 years, & has owned a hobby greenhouse for the past 30 years where he grows camellias, succulents and tropical plants. Paul's outdoor garden is primarily a woodland and shade garden.

Paul completed 3 years of college-level horticulture courses at the New England School of Gardening at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. He became a certified Master Gardener in 2005 at the MHS.  He lectures on topics such as home greenhouses, shade gardening, xeriscaping, plant diseases and on cactus/succulents and houseplants.

DIY natural herbicide

Nature Happenings - September 2015

September 2015

September 1

Bumblebees busily search for nectar and pollen in late-season blossoms. They slow down with colder weather, sometimes resting inside the center of a flower.

September 9

Praying mantises are camouflaged in high grasses and garden patches.

September 10

Broad-winged and sharp-shinned hawks migrate at about this time of year.

September 12

Eastern kingbirds and olive-sided flycatchers have departed for their wintering grounds in South America.

September 23

Autumnal equinox; days and nights are of equal length.

September 25

Look for late-blooming goldenrods and New England aster in fields and on roadsides.

September 27

The last of the ruby-throated hummingbirds have left for Mexico and Central America.  

September 28

Second supermoon of the year. This is even closer than last month’s giant full moon, appearing larger and more brilliant.

September 30

Watch for green darner dragonflies over sunny meadows.

Excerpt taken from Mass Audubon's Outdoor Almanac

Eurybia divaricata/Aster divaricatus/ White Wood Aster

Solidago caesia / axillary goldenrod