Celebrations take on all forms. It may be in the form of a birthday party for 90-year-old, a card lovingly given for Valentine’s Day, or a family picnic to celebrate Labor Day. Although traditionally not celebrated, the first day of fall occurred on September 22. In recognition of fall and all of the joy that it brings, I thought it might be fun to, as a community, celebrate the first day of fall through some gardening projects. I hope that these ideas promote some thought and perhaps lead to a few joy-filled memories.
Observing our changing environment
1. Almost every waking moment of the day, we have a camera with us. Capturing the fleeting sights of fall through photography will help these beautiful scenes to last.
2. Develop a comfortable spot outside in which to sit. New cushions or throw pillows will afford you a beautiful perch on which to take in all that nature has to offer this fall.
3. Drive by a home that was special to you as a child or young adult. How has the landscaping changed since you lived there?
4. Organize a scavenger hunt for younger members of the family. Give them a list of things to find. The first one that completes the list can be given a nature-themed gift.
Sink your hands into the soil
1. Plant a few cool season vegetables. Crops such as carrots, lettuce and beets can be planted now. Planting them in containers often makes harvesting easier.
2. Herb gardens can be practical and full of fragrance. Start a few herb plants indoors now and enjoy them throughout the winter.
3. Create a do-it-yourself home décor piece using items found in your yard.
5. Plant spring blooming bulbs in your yard. Daffodils, tulips, crocus and hyacinth are a harbinger of spring and add much beauty.
6. Devote a day to fall cleaning. Just as spring cleaning is invaluable to the inside of our homes, fall cleaning is a necessity outdoors as well.
7. Reach out to a friend and make a commitment to go apple picking. Apple picking season is here and is so much fun.
Honoring the Season
1. Create a small bouquet of fall blooming flowers
2. Enjoy watching a sunset. They are occurring earlier as the days are getting shorter.
3. Fly a kite. Unleash the kid that lies within, by going to a park and taking up this wonderful sport.
4. Develop a fairy garden with a young person. Let your imagination run wild for a few minutes during this fun hobby.
5. Pick flowers and set them at the gravesite of a loved one.
6. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic at a local park.
7. Volunteer to help out at the Grafton Food Pantry.
8. Bake a recipe using fall squash, apple or pumpkin as ingredients. Fall-themed cake, cookies and muffin recipes are easily found online.
9. Create an interesting tablescape for your kitchen table using items found in nature.
Enhance your garden’s features
1. Engage your senses while in the garden by adding a water feature. This can be in the form of a bird bath with recycling water or a table top water fountain.
2. Add a few well-placed landscaping lights that accentuate key features of your garden.
3. A fresh fall wreath hung on a front door will help to welcome visitors to your home.
4. Create a fall project to do list.
Providing for Birds and Pollinators
1. Setting out a bird feeder will not only provide the necessary nourishment for area birds but it also provides entertainment as well.
2. Planting pollinator friendly flowers will help our quickly declining population of butterflies.
3. Make a donation to the Audubon Society.
4. Sit back and watch the gorgeous birds before they start migrating.
5. Make a homemade birdseed wreath using a bundt pan.
Winding Down the Gardening Season
1. Cleaning gardening tools. Although we have several months of gardening left, make sure to clean your tools before they are put away for the winter.
2. We all seem to have extra plant care products in our garages. Consider taking inventory of what you have and discarding anything that is old.
3. Clean out your flower containers before you pack them up for the winter. Be sure to use a diluted bleach solution.
4. Visit a local garden center or greenhouse. Simply being in an area around plants has strong health benefits.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc.,a landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
