Zone 6b - Mid-Atlantic Gardening

Next week is Hallowe’en, and youngsters and the young-at-heart are looking forward to carving pumpkins, painting pumpkins, and generally decorating with all things “pumpkin.” But how much do you really know about this traditional symbol of the harvest?

As we settle into autumn and think about putting our gardens “to bed” for the season, there are other creatures preparing for winter. Several readers have asked what they can do about squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and even deer who regard their gardens as an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Fall is a good time to take a look at your lawn. This year’s drought – punctuated by infrequent but freakishly drenching rain – placed a lot of stress on lawns.

Chrysanthemum (mum for short) is Greek for “golden flower.” Mums are an autumn staple in nurseries, hardware stores, supermarkets, and even convenience stores. But you can grow your own. They root readily from cuttings, and large plants can be dug up and divided.