My Secret Garden
Debbie Notaro, Garden Coach, Design, Consultation
Winter Newsletter November 3, 2006
As I was driving down Campton Hills Road this morning I just had to call a friend to tell her that God is still the best gardener I know! The morning sun glistened across the trees and grasses all donned in brilliant fall colors and took my breath away…take the time to look around at the nature that surrounds you – the sights you take in, especially in the fall, will be the highlight of your day!
This
was a great growing season to be a gardener…
We had to have had one of the nicest springs and summers on record and it made for a glorious growing season! And then a great end topped off with the spectacular fall color this year. Ok, I know we can all complain about this or that but let's face it, seldom do we ever have low temperatures, low humidity – for the most part throughout this whole summer, and warm weather that continued right through October!
To
my delight, this was a great year for containers as well as site flowers. The flower production was one of the
most prolific to my memory. Nearly every plant bloomed for what seemed like
forever. Each garden I entered was
absolutely beautiful. Seldom can
we all boast the beautiful colors that lasted until this week!
“What is a weed? I have heard it said that there are 60 definitions…For me, a weed is a plant out of place!” by Donald Culross Peattie
THE JAPANESE BEETLE (below) was great! If you need information on these little
demons click below:
http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef409.asp
The zinnias had an exceptional year. I always love them in the garden, just when the other flowers seem to wane the zinnias take off and add just the right amount of color in all hues that dance around the garden.
MAKE A NOTE FOR NEXT YEAR:
Plant Zinnias …Tall ones and Short ones…use them in your borders and in the bed mixes…they are one of my all time favorite annuals. Zinnias come in just about a hundred colors, are easy to grow from seed and of course you can buy them at any garden center in starter packs.
Tall Ones
Short Ones
What to do now?
NOTE: If you were planning to transplant bushes or plants NOW is the time to do so. Trim back the bushes about 1/3 of it’s normal height and cut the plants down to about 6” above the crown. This is the perfect time to plant bulbs for the first flush of flowers next spring. Water transplants and bulbs very well.
NOTE: It is important to take in any garden ornamentation particularly if it is made of ceramic or clay. The continual freezing and thawing during the winter will wreak havoc on your favorite garden ditties!
Empty pots of all types, ponds, fountains and birdbaths and rinse clean with water and a small amount of bleach. If necessary use a wire or scrub brush to scrape away any mineral deposits and soil stains. This will sanitize your vessels and they will be ready to use again next spring.
NOTE: If you have iron pots or a very good quality fiberglass pots, leave them out near your doors or garage and decorate them for the holidays! Go into your yard and cut berries, red twig dogwood, collect pinecones and branches of fir and pine trees and create a great holiday container for the outdoors. You can also buy these sprigs at your local garden centers.
“Gardeners, I think, dream bigger dreams than Emperor’s”
by Mary Cantwell
NOTE: Although every year at this time I can’t stand the thought of taking down my containers and putting away all of my garden collectibles; what has been said by my "Donkey Boy" (that would be what Bobby calls himself)
is also true - That every year at this time I am already scheming and dreaming about what I’ll do in my garden next year!
Well sadly it’s time to empty your pots and mulch your beds and put your garden to sleep…but remember to leave your grasses and tall strong stemmed plants like Echinacea for Winter interest and food for the birds…There will be plenty of time in the spring to cut them back before they wake up from their long winter’s nap.
FINAL NOTE: Last but not least I want to thank my relatives and friends for their unending support and encouragement this year. It means a great deal to me!
PS NOTE: For those of you that that live outside of the Chicagoland area and would like a Garden Coach …Check out this website and you too could have your very own “Little Debbie”. http://www.gardeningcoachdirectory.com/
I can’t wait for next year… I’ll send more information in the spring, but I will be teaching gardening classes at possibly three local Park Districts and hope to have time to plan a few in my own garden.
Contact me: Email: Debbie@mysecretgardenonswl.com
If you have a gardener that you would like to receive my newsletters, please send me their email address and I will see to it that they receive a copy.
Phone: 630.365.6062 or 630.742.1217
Visit my Website: www.mysecretgardenonswl.com
Gift Certificates: For Christmas Gifts, please call at least 7 days before Christmas. The Gift Certificates are available in $50 increments. Please remember to indicate where you would like the certificate to go to – your address or the recipients.
Make
Checks payable to: Debbie Notaro
Mail
to: 3N195 Springwood Lane, Elburn, IL 60119
*Gift Certificate: Available in $50.00 increments for hour of gardening coaching
Garden Primer: Includes: *Gift Certificate for 1 hour of gardening coaching, 1 pair of garden gloves and 1 bar of scented soap nestled in a flower pot and gift wrapped. $85.00 plus shipping
Planter's Palette: Includes: *Gift Certificate for 2 hours of garden coaching, 1 pair of leather gardening gloves, 1 bar of scented soap, 1 pair of Felco clippers, 1 tub of scented skin cream delivered in a decorator flower pot and gift wrapped. $220.00 plus shipping
*Gift certificates are available in 1 hour increments you can add coaching time to any basket gift by adding $50.00 to the price.
Suggestions:
New and Seasoned Gardeners
1. Birthdays
2. House Warming Gift
3. Anniversary
4. Curb Appeal
Challenged Friends and Relatives
