Embracing the Beauty of Fall

Fall is truly my favorite time of year. Not only is it the season of my favorite holidays (and Tony’s and my birthdays) but the season brings an exquisite Autumn color palette featuring rich shades of burgundy, vibrant orange, earthy browns, and deep forest greens. As the days progress, the temperatures begin to cool, even if only by a few degrees, providing a refreshing change from the heat of summer. Additionally, the humidity gradually decreases, making time spent in the garden much more comfortable and enjoyable. I’m looking forward to the upcoming change of seasons and new year.

Recently, on Better Lawns and Gardens, I had the pleasure of speaking with Katie Dubow, President of the Garden Media Group. In September, the company marked an impressive milestone, celebrating 25 years of forecasting garden trends. Their ongoing research continues to shape the gardening world, and according to their latest findings, the prominent theme for 2026 will be “Lemonading.”

 Lemonading, the ability to reframe problems with creativity into ideas and solutions. This new phrase provides opportunities for people to enjoy life and stylize it to their own personality and needs. How does Katie and the Garden Media Group Dream Team think lemonading will shape gardening in 2026?  The company’s research shows that people will be:

• Looking for joy, relaxation, seeing their efforts make a difference, not only in gardening but in their world.

• More “kidulting” with new software, using games and technology from our youth (and adulthood) to relax but also to be a better gardener.  

• Setting yourself apart with collections, bento-style vignettes, especially rare and exotic plants, unusual pets, and re-shaping outdoor spaces.

• 2026’s Color of the Year: Faded Petal. A beautiful vintage soft pink color is muted by light ash. See their flower and shrub species recommendations you can add to your landscape to showcase this new color in the link below.

Katie and her all-female staff’s predictions make sense in today’s accelerating by-the-day-world. Each of the categories is explained in depth in the Annual Report.  It’s a fun read and I will be very interested to see how much is spot on target for our future. We’ll see.

The Garden Media Group’s Annual Report can be downloaded free here.

During our final Art in Bloom Garden Tour of the year, in the New York’s Hudson River Valley, participants experienced wonderful weather and vibrant floral displays while visiting distinguished estates and notable botanical garden exhibitions. At the New York Botanical Gardens, attendees viewed The Van Gogh Flower Show, which featured an impressive selection of sunflowers, artistically arranged frames and easels with real floral compositions, as well as landscape beds designed to evoke Van Gogh’s iconic floral paintings. Additional gardens included Stonecrop Gardens, Kykuit at the Rockefeller estate, and the Gothic Revival Lyndhurst Mansion.  

A serendipitous discovery at the Lyndhurst Mansion was that it was used as the exterior backdrop of the mansion for the 1960’s gothic “Dark Shadow” soap opera series. It was my favorite soap opera next to All My Children. The house’s interior was decorated for Halloween and so much fun to walk through. I appreciated that the home did allow for interior photographs.

Another of our garden tour stops, Wave Hill, a public garden that offers incredible views of the Hudson River and features a variety of themed gardens with creative beds, art work, and diverse plant combinations. The botanical garden includes numerous plant displays that are suitable for growing in Florida's climate. The Kate French Terrace garden beds showcase color schemes including jewel tones and soft grays, which are well suited for the fall season. I include my favorite in Teresa’s Landscape Design Tips. Does it work for you?

October marks the start of Fall gardening, so consider a soil test and fertilizing if it's been a while. Adjust soil amendments and pH as needed and consult planting guides for this month's What To Do In Your Landscape in October.

My Plant of the Month is a medium-sized shade shrub with evergreen leaves, fall and winter blooms, and no pest issues—an ideal choice for your garden.

In Lizzie’s Gardening Adventures, discover how her garden gives back and how she finally resolves turkey troubles. She rules her roost!

Horrific landscape malpractice has kept me awake for decades and is as scary today as ever. Just because “Halloween” season is approaching, doesn’t mean you have to create your own “Nightmare on Elm Street.”  Learn how to properly prune your landscape.  

Please comment below if you have any gardening questions or thoughts. I hope you enjoy the newsletter and are looking forward to the cooler temperatures and holiday season. I know I am.

Seasonal Surprises

Pumpkin Patch Protest

Pumpkins have unexpectedly sprouted in my burn pile, behaving like rebellious gourds determined to stage a fall-themed protest. Despite the lack of soil and planning, this rogue squash colony is thriving in the ashes. Their presence seems to mock my composting skills, transforming what should be waste into a festive Fall miracle. It’s as if nature itself has a sense of humor and enjoys playing tricks-and-treats on me.

Tom Turkey Transfers

I recently rehomed two of my tom turkeys, as their daily antics had begun to resemble a WWE wrestling match. Each morning turned into a feather-flying escapade, and even my attempts at peace talks failed to calm the chaos. Ultimately, both turkeys have moved to a new home where they can hopefully find tranquility.

These experiences serve as a reminder that life is a joyful journey. It’s up to each of us to embrace and enjoy all the moments, big and small.

For more updates, follow me through “Lizzie Said What” on social media.

Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’ can be found in your local nurseries and online.

What To Do In Your Backyard In November

November vegetable garden, Leu Gardens, Winter Park. 

Average temperature: High 79 Low 59

Rainfall: 2.32 inches

Daylight Savings Time Change on November 3, 2024

What to plant

Vegetables: Beet, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, collard, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onion, pea, radicchio, radish, rhubarb, rutabaga, spinach, Swiss chard and turnip.

Flowers: Ageratum, alyssum, baby's breath, black-eyed Susan, bush daisy, calendula, California poppy, candytuff, carnation, cat's whiskers, chrysanthemum, cleome, cornflower, delphinium, dianthus, dusty miller, foxglove, gaillardia, geranium, goldenrod, heliotrope, hollyhocks, Iceland poppy, impatiens, larkspur, lobelia, ornamental cabbage & kale, pansy, petunia, phlox, salvia, shasta daisy, snapdragon, stock, sweet pea, verbena, viola and wax begonias.

Herbs: Anise, arugula, basil, borage, chive, cardamon, chervil, cilantro, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, lavender, lemon balm, lovage, Mexican tarragon, mint, nasturtium, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, thyme and watercress.

Bulbs: African iris, amaryllis, anemone, bulbine, crinum, day lily, rain lily, ranunculus, society garlic, spider lily and narcissus; refrigerated Dutch iris, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and similar bulbs needing a cold treatment before flowering.

Grasses: Lomandra Breeze, Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff’ (or Tough), Miscanthus ‘Adagio’, Muhly Grass, Dwarf Fakahatchee, White Fountain Grass, Lemon Grass.

Lawn care

• Many lawns have thinned due to September’s rain and the hurricanes, provide extra attention to help recovery.

• Fall is a good time to sod or plug problem areas in lawns; delay bahiagrass seeding until spring.

• Complete fall feedings with a low phosphorus fertilizer during early November.

• Less water is needed during cool weather; reduce waterings to when the grass begins to wilt.

• Lawn watering is limited to once a week in most areas when Eastern Standard Time returns.

• Water lawns separately from trees and shrubs that need less moisture.

• Repair and adjust sprinklers to water efficiently

• Chinch bug and caterpillar control may still be needed during warm fall weather.

• Your turf may not need a complete fertilizer with nitrogen. Have lawn soil tested by the University of Florida lab to ensure proper feeding.

• Lawns low in potassium can be given extra winter protection with a late month application.

• Brown patch disease can be severe in zoysia; treat this month or when first noted.

• Apply herbicides for your lawn type if needed for broadleaf and sedge weed control.

• Continue mowing at normal heights.

• Aerate hard to wet, compacted and nematode infected soils.

• Sow ryegrass in barren areas for a temporary lawn starting in late November.

• Remove and compost fallen leaves on turfgrass.

• Fill in shady problem spots with ornamental ground covers.

Landscape plantings

• Renew mulches to keep height at 3” – 4” to help conserve water during the drier months ahead.

• Most pruning should be completed this month to allow new growth to mature before winter.

• Only remove declining fronds and flower or fruiting stalks from palms to maintain vigor.

• Palm diseases may be spread by pruners; disinfect at least between palms.

• Remove declining warm season flowers and replace with the cool season flowers.

• Work organic matter into flower beds and replace soil in planters before planting.

• Slow release fertilizers are the best way to feed flower beds and containers.

• Extend chrysanthemum life; remove faded flowers, keep the soil moist and feed lightly.

• Make sure poinsettias receive no nighttime light; keep the soil moist and feed monthly.

• Established trees and shrubs need infrequent watering; moisten only during the dry times.

• Flower beds need watering when the surface soil begins to dry to the touch.

• Scale insects have been heavy this year on shrubs and foliage plants; use a natural pesticide oil or spray.

• Leaf spots and die-back are normal on many trees and perennials as they prepare for winter.

• Cooler months provide the ideal time to move small trees and shrubs in the landscape.

• Check braces and supports added to new trees, palms and shrubs.

• Hurricane season ends November 30; select small sturdy trees for new plantings

• Remove limbs and weeds interfering with sprinklers.

• Complete all tree, palm and shrub feedings by mid-month.

• Collect and refrigerate favorite flower seeds in plastic bags and store in the refrigerator.

• Hurry to create wildflower plantings that won’t flower until spring.

• Reduce feedings of orchids and bromeliads in the landscape as the weather cools.

• Divide perennials and bulbs

• Form compost piles to recycle yard waste.

• Be prepared to cover or move cold sensitive plants to a warm location.

• Fill hard to mow and problem areas with shrubs and ground covers.

• Clean birdbaths and prepare feeders for winter.

• Reduce feedings of water garden plantings

Vegetable & fruit gardening

• Remove declining crops and plant the cool season vegetables

• Herbs like the cooler weather; begin new plantings and revive older ones.

• Start seeds of broccoli, cauliflower, collards, onions and similar to produce transplants.

• Cool season vegetables can be added to the garden until February.

• Add a few vegetable plants to the garden each month to have a continual supply.

• The dry season is here; water when the surface soil begins to dry to the touch.

• Improve sandy soils with garden soil, compost, peat moss and composted manure.

• Feed the garden every 3 to 4 weeks with composted manure or a general garden fertilizer.

• Stake or trellis taller growing crops to prevent wind damage and pests.

• Maintain a mulch between plants and rows to conserve water and control weeds.

• Caterpillars have been feeding in the garden; hand pick or use natural controls.

• Give bananas and pineapples a final fall feeding with a general garden fertilizer.

• Many early citruses are ready to harvest; use the taste test to tell when they are ripe.

• Feeding time for citrus and other fruit trees is over.

• Water citrus trees once or twice each week during the dry times.

• Add new citrus or other fruiting trees to the landscape.

• Sow papaya seeds to over winter in containers.

• Delay all fruit tree pruning until late January or February.

Foliage and house plant care

• Plant narcissus and amaryllis bulbs in containers to begin growth for holiday blooms.

• Remember, no nighttime light for holiday plants until they begin to bloom.

• Water holiday cactus and kalanchoe when the soil dries to the touch; keep poinsettias moist.

• Wash away dust and plant pests with a soapy water solution

• Check and treat outdoor plants for insects before bringing them indoors.

• Discontinue or reduce foliage plant feedings every other month.

• Begin bringing cold sensitive foliage plants indoors.

What To Do in Your Landscape for September

By Teresa Watkins

September 2024

 Average temperatures High 90 Low 72

Average rainfall 5.76 inches

Autumn arrives September 22nd, 2024

  September Plantings

 Vegetables: Early plantings include lima bean, snap bean, corn, cucumber, eggplant, pepper, southern pea, rhubarb, squash, and tomato; End of the month crops include arugula, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, celery, collard, endive, lettuce, mustard, onion, radish, strawberry, and turnip.

 Flowers: Agapanthus, ageratum, angelonia, begonia, blue daze, butterfly weed, buttonbush, cat's whiskers, celosia, cleome, coleus, coreopsis, cosmos, firebush, garden mums, gaura, gazania, gerbera, goldenrod, gomphrena, heliotrope, impatiens, Jacobina, lantana, marigold, melampodium, New Guinea impatiens, nicotiana, pentas, periwinkle, plumbago, roses, salvia, sunflower, sweet alyssum, thyrallis, torenia, Turk’s cap, verbena, and zinnia.

 Herbs: Anise, basil, bay laurel, borage, chives, coriander, dill, lemon balm, lavender, Mexican tarragon, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet fennel, sweet marjoram, and thyme.

 Bulbs: African iris, agapanthus, amaryllis, blackberry lily, bulbine, calla lily, crinum, crocosmia, day lily, gladiolus, kaffir lily, narcissus, society garlic, spider lily, rain lilies and walking iris. Look for and purchase cool-season bulbs for refrigeration, including crocus, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, muscari, and tulips.

 Fruit and Vegetable Care

 ·       Get a soil test of garden every year to find out what fertilizer nutrients to apply.

·       Clean used containers before planting.

·       Give large growing plants big containers to have room for good root growth.

·       Keep container-grown tomatoes uniformly moist to avoid blossom-end rot.

·       New to gardening? Start a garden journal and list names of seeds, the varieties, date planted, days to harvest, temperatures, and any weather conditions that might affect growth, i.e., extreme heat, lack of rain, storms.

·       Add vegetables and herbs to containers for patio and balcony gardens. 

·       All vegetables like a sunny site with at least 6 – 8 hours; leafy crops can often grow in filtered sun.

·       Remember the sun dips south Fall through Winter so note sites that may become shady.

·       Last year’s gardens may need an additional layer of organic compost or manure, like Black Kow.

·       Remove plastic covers from solarization treatments and plant without tilling.

·       Where nematodes are a problem, dig a large hole and fill it with organic amendments or potting soil before planting.

·       Keep new plantings and seedlings moist; water older plantings when the soil begins to dry.

·       Apply a first feeding two weeks after adding transplants or seed germination.

·       Continue with monthly feedings for in-ground plantings, every other week for containers.

·       Use slow-release fertilizer which may be the only feeding needed.

·       Add flowering plants to gardens to invite pollinators to visit.

·       Set tomatoes in the ground or in containers early and start training to a trellis.

·       Provide support for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and others from vegetables above.

·       Rejuvenate older herb gardens in late September by adding fresh plantings.

·       Check the garden daily to determine soil moisture of ground and check for pests.

·       Harvest herbs to encourage continued growth. .

·       Use mulches to conserve water, control weeds and keep soil off leafy crops.

·       Remove side shoots/pups to root from pineapple plants and increase your plantings.

·       Start seedlings of Fall cool season crops later in the month.

·       Begin citrus and avocado tree feedings toward the end of the month. For more specific information on fertilizing different size citrus trees: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS132

 Lawn Care

 ·       Get soil test analysis of turf areas before fertilizing.

·       If your lawn is susceptible to fungus and you have had excessive rains during past storms, apply a preventative fungicide according to the label.

·       Where grass won’t grow because of too much shade, consider use of an ornamental ground cover, like ajuga, Asiatic jasmine, ferns, liriope, mondo grass, or pachysandra,

·       Lawns with aggressive weeds need attention; dig out, resod or spot treat with herbicides, but if temperatures average above 85 degrees, wait until October to use an herbicide.

·       Most local ordinances restrict fertilization until October 1st.

·       To green up lawns, use an iron-only or minor nutrient application until October.

·       Once weeds or pest issues are taken care of, patch pest-damaged or weed areas with new sod, plugs, or seed.

·       Complete seeding of Bahia turf in early September.

·       Lawn caterpillars and chinch bugs can continue in to Fall; control when noted.

·       Several products are now available for nematode control by lawn care companies.

·       Fire ants are frequently found in lawns; spot treat mounds with bait, then treat the entire lawn.

·       Aerate hard to wet or compacted soils.

·       Continue mowings at recommended heights

·       Change mowing patterns on regular basis, overlapping rows so mower doesn’t create ruts.

·       Service lawn care equipment to have it ready for Fall.

 In the Landscape

 ·       Keep eye on trees and shrubs that may have been affected by the drought in Spring and Summer. Decline from 2024 drought may be an issue for next few years.

·       Make sure any shrubs and trees leaning from storm winds are straightened as soon as possible.

·       Note plant decline in landscapes, from excessive gutter drainage. Bury gutter and extend out into yard to prevent displacement of soil and mulch.

·       Prune away dead or declining plant portions affected by Summer weather or pests.

·       Weeds are plentiful; remove them before they flower and disperse seeds.

·       Renew mulches with only a light topping to keep 3” – 4” of mulch.

·       Clean and sharpen pruning equipment to make trimming easy with minimal plant damage.

·       Prune declining brown fronds only and flower stems from palms but leave the green fronds.

·       Sterilize pruners between plants when trimming palms with possible diseases.

·       Many plants have grown out of bounds; now is the time to do needed pruning.

·       Give poinsettias and hydrangeas a final pruning.

·       Check roses that have dead or declining stems and old flowers that need to be removed.

·       Expect caladiums and some ginger to start to decline and go dormant until Spring.

·       Replant declining flowers with warm season selections; delay planting the cool season types until end of November.

·       Avoid planting palms with prevalent disease problems.

·       Scale insects, mealy bugs and aphids have been active; control as needed.

·       Sooty mold grows on the excreta of insects; control both with a horticultural oil spray.

·       Check container plantings for plugged drainage holes; repot as needed.

·       Chrysanthemums make attractive Fall flowers, but they only last a few weeks in the heat.

·       Divide perennials and replant in the garden.

·       Now is the time to ensure poinsettias have 12 hours of complete darkness every night to encourage blooming in time for Christmas.

·       Plan for cool weather bulbs, i.e., tulips, hyacinth, daffodils, etc. and refrigerate bulbs for 16 weeks so they can be planted in the landscape two to three weeks ahead of when you would like them to bloom.

·       Add new trees, shrubs, and palms.

·       Feed palms with a slow-release fertilizer three to four times a year.

·       Begin late September shrub and perennial feedings for Fall where permitted.

·       Feed hanging baskets and orchids every other week.

·       Remove declining leaves and flowers from water lilies; give a monthly feeding.

 Houseplant Care

 ·       There is still time to revive foliage plants by moving them outdoors to a shady site.

·       Indoor orchids and bromeliads make good outdoor additions when they begin to decline.

·       Groom foliage plants growing outdoors for an improved appearance.

·       Control pests including scale, mealybugs, thrips and mites with natural sprays.

·       Gradually reduce feedings and watering of Christmas and holiday cactus.

·       Transplant foliage plants needing new containers before the cooler Fall weather.

·       Feed foliage plants monthly or use a slow-release fertilizer according to the label.

·       Replace declining plants with new selections for Fall.

·       Obtain amaryllis and paper white narcissus bulbs for Fall forcing.