Dear $$firstname$$,

Crystal Rennicke

This is one of my favorite times of year. Apples are ripe for picking…Starbucks has brought back its Pumpkin Spice Latte…and it’s still warm enough to go walking without a winter jacket. There’s a lot going on in the garden, too—check out the end-of-season checklists for things you can do now.

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Happy Gardening!
--Crystal

READ ON TO DISCOVER...

• Plant of the Month
• Yard Smarts
• Question of the Month
• Time for Apples
• October Regional Checklist
• Frugal Gardener Tip of the Month

Submit Your Story

Plant of the Month

‘Beni-kaze’ Japanese Forest Grass
Slightly twisted, colorful foliage gives this forest grass a rippled effect. Perfect for containers or ground covers or in borders.
Botanical name: Hakonechloa macra  ‘Beni-kaze.’
Hardiness: Zones 5 to 9.
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and slightly wider.
Light needs: Part shade to full sun.
Soil: Moist, fertile soil.
Featuring: At the hint of chilly weather, this new Japanese forest grass turns shades of red. Unique, twisted foliage suggests movement.

Click here for more information and how to order.

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Yard Smarts

Gardener’s Gadget
After many years of gardening, weeding and cleaning my flower beds at the end of each season, I came across a set of three lightweight collapsible containers that I use for everything.

I especially like them when I am cutting back my perennials in the fall. They are sturdy and versatile and don’t take up space in my garage. When I am finished with them, I just collapse them and hang them on the wall. —Linda Brown, Walton, New York

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Question of the Month

Q: We’ve had ladybugs find their way inside our home before, but they’ve taken over this year! How can we get rid of them? –Ruth Forster, Elk Creek, Virginia

Melinda: It’s hard to remember ladybugs are the good guys when they invade your home! These predaceous insects are looking for a place to hibernate for the winter—caulk any cracks or areas they may be squeezing through to enter.

Vacuum and remove those that make their way inside—or move them to your houseplants to eat any uninvited aphids. As ladybugs rise from hibernation, their life span is pretty short and they will die on their own.

See more of Melinda’s answers

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Time for Apples

This harbinger of the season is a delicious delight, whether orchard-gathered or plucked from your own backyard. Here are some apple-picking and storage tips:

• Note that the fruits on the outside edge of the tree’s canopy ripen first.
• Look for fully colored fruits that are firm and free of bruises.
• If the stems consistently remain on the tree when you pull off apples, instead of coming off with them, the fruits aren’t yet ripe enough for picking.
• Store apples in a refrigerator or a cool place that’s between 34 and 40 degrees. Some varieties keep better than others; the best ones will easily keep 90 days.

For more information on apples, click here.

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October Regional Checklist

Shorter days and cooler weather mean busy, but bountiful, days for gardeners across the country. In most areas, fall harvest is in full swing. It’s also a good time to tidy up the yard and garden.

• Northeast
• Northwest
• Southwest
• Central
• Southeast

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Frugal Gardener Tip of the Month

Gnat Hat

The gnats in our area have been exceptionally fierce, so I created a hat that keeps them out of my eyes and ears.

The strings hanging from the brim sway with head movements and in the slightest breeze, shooing the gnats. I attached the strings to a cardboard cutout, rather than directly to the hat brim, for easy removal when not needed. The hat is 99 percent effective at keeping the gnats away and, unlike a head net, you don’t have to remove it to eat or drink. —Dwight Ludwig, Martinsburg, West Virginia

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Step Back to the Victory Era!

The editors of Reminisce magazine bring you Reminisce Through the Decades: The 1940s, a 6-hour-plus, three-DVD set of real-life stories from the ’40s! For more information, go to www.reminisce.com.

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