It's time to start checking bulb catalogs, looking for sales for fall plantings of shrubs, et al., and maybe gathering a few books of interest to gardeners to read this winter—that is, if we have one.
One is never quite sure anymore as to what is going to happen in winter. We never did have a hard freeze last year which is part of why so many verminous insects and mammals (rats in the city, deer in the burbs) survived to plague us. The Chicago Tribune warns us that larger wild animals may be on their way to visit cities: Coyotes are already almost familiar in Chicago and bears, wolves and cougars are starting to lurk about.
The Trib concludes surprisingly that in most of the United States where these larger critters have shown up, people and they have come to some sort of non-lethal ability to get along. I see one upside of this invasion—all of these predators are much more interested in rats as snacks than in people. A coyote (or fox) in the hood who catches rats? Dear Wile E.—come by me! (Perhaps a cougar in the yard would've waylaid the Springsteen concert fan who made off with one of my signature blue yard horses.)
A book you might like looking at as you sit by the fire in December with glass of wine and cat nearby is Stalking the Wild Amaranth by Janet Marinelli. The lady works at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and revisits the topic of native vs. non-native plants. She has the sense to ask what "native" means—if you grow an aster that originated in North Carolina here in Chicago, is it still a native? And is it moral to do so? (Those who know me know I'd say yes and yes.)
Some of the author's interesting tidbits are how types of ancient styles of gardening from Rome, the Renaissance or the Middle Ages still influence us. [For example, where does the tension about whether a garden should be enclosed or not come from? Or, where does the American obsession with lawns come from? Or where did the idea that herbs, veggies and flowers should be grown separately come from?] The book's worthwhile even if you fuss at some of the author's conclusions, as I did.
Michael Pollan's book The Botany of Desire highlights the history of four plants: the apple (sweetness), the tulip (beauty), marijuana (intoxication) and the potato (control). Pollan's portrait of John Chapman, aka "Johnny Appleseed" as an American Dionysius is amazing (and did you know apples originated in Kazackstan—their city, Alma-Ata, means "father of the apple"?). Pollan also talks about how the extreme love of the tulip nearly made Holland go bankrupt, and he hashes out (sorry) the history of marijuana and why it's illegal to buy even the non-high inducing marijuana relative, hemp. Lastly, hegives a horrifying portrait of the chemical company Monsanto's Frankenstein version of the modern potato.
The Wildlife Gardener by John V. Dennis is a useful compendium of ways to attract birds, bees and butterflies, not to mention small mammals, reptiles and amphibians to your garden without chemicals. (Do I hear a suggestion of snarkiness out there? Yes, I know rats are small mammals but they are not useful or cute!)
Did anyone get last month's Anglo-Saxon riddle? The answer was a daisy.
As the weather cools, indoor plants will have to be brought in if they've vacationed outside. Some plants—hibiscus and wide-leaved dracenas primarily—are more sensitive to lower temps. Stick 'em in a washtub of water if you're worried about pests in the soil and also wash the leaves off with a spray hose. Many other plants can stay out till the temperatures in the low 40s.
If you have cannas, dahlias and other non-hardy plants you're not going to keep—give 'em away; don't toss them.
Decide whether you want to save clippings of your coolest coleus (colei?) It's OK, if you have the room and inclination.
Some plants such zebrina vines, wandering Jews and setcreseas may need to be clipped—you could root all the pieces and give them away. And speaking of clipping—if any of your babies grew too big for their indoor perches, clip them outside instead of making an indoor mess.
Start thinking about grabbing bags of leaves for your compost heap and/or yard. Every part of your ground except where there is lawn can be covered with leaves—either shredded by a mower or whole.
If rats have infiltrated your defenses pour poison down their holes and cover the entrances with dirt. It's not quite as drastic but whole bottles of (unsalted) of chili powder or hot pepper may make them vacate the premise.
You have a small yard but only large numbers of bulbs are inexpensive? Go in with a friend or neighbor. Squill, fritillaries and daffodils are poisonous to squirrels. "Tommie" crocuses are also usually left alone. You can plant bulbs, shrubs, trees and perennials as long as the grounds not frozen. I may see some of you out in your yards at Xmas.
