Seasonal

A Brief History Of Pumpkin Carving



The tradition of carving pumpkins traces its roots to Ireland and

 Scotland, where people originally carved frightening faces into

 root vegetables such as turnips, beets, and potatoes to ward off

 evil spirits. During the 19th century, millions of Irish and Scottish

 immigrants crossed the Atlantic, particularly during and after the

 Great Potato Famine of the 1840s, bringing their autumn folklore

 and traditions with them. In North America, they encountered a

 native winter squash that was larger, softer, and far easier to hollow

 out and carve than the root vegetables they had traditionally used:

 the pumpkin. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, pumpkin

 carving had largely replaced turnip carving in America, evolving

from a protective talisman into a festive family tradition

 and becoming an enduring symbol of Halloween.

Colorful Berries For Fall And Winter

As we slip into autumn and the leaner months ahead in the

 garden, it’s good to remember that many plants offer colorful

 berries that can enhance the beauty of our landscapes

 while providing an important food source for our feathered

 friends. There are many natives, as well as ornamental varieties,

 to choose from that offer both form and function. Here are

 a few of our favorites. Callicarpa, or Beautyberry, is an easy

 and forgiving shrub that is often overlooked in the landscape.

Native to parts of Asia, it has a quiet presence in the garden

throughout spring and summer, but come fall and winter, it

 shines with a spectacular crop of violet-purple berries that

 birds find irresistible. Another great food source for birds

 is Mahonia, both native and non-native varieties. Commonly

 called Oregon Grape, Mahonia includes Asian cultivars that

 are particularly striking, with tall, upright forms and golden

 flowers followed by powdery blue berries. The variety ‘Charity’

is a wonderful example that our avian friends love. The third berry

 pictured is the fruit of Arbutus unedo, or Strawberry Tree. These

European natives resemble our own Pacific Madrone (Arbutus

menziesii), but on a much smaller scale. Their white, bell-shaped

 flowers and handsome, waxy leaves somewhat hide the developing

 green fruit, which gradually turns a bright orange in winter.

Because the fruit takes a full year to ripen, it’s not unusual to see

 green and ripe fruits overlapping on the plant. The ‘Compacta’

 variety is by far the most widely planted in landscapes throughout

the Puget Sound region, thanks to its denser, more compact habit

compared with the species. Come in and speak with our staff

 about adding one of these striking and versatile

 shrubs to your garden today!

The Arrival Of Fall

It's a great time for planting perennials, trees, and shrubs. Cool, wet, mild

weather in the fall creates the perfect conditions for plants to set down their

roots and settle into their new home. During autumn, plants begin to slow

their growing process and go into dormancy, and this gentle weather reduces

transplant stress, which in turn assists your plants in acclimating to their new

environment, giving them extra time to get established and grow a strong root

system before the warm weather returns in spring. Whether you are creating

a new landscape or dividing and transplanting your existing plants, fall is a

great time to assess your garden and make the changes that you have been

longing for. When planting in early fall, it is important to water your newly

planted trees and shrubs in the landscape until the heavy, soaking rains begin.

Visit the scenic Snohomish Valley to see the colors at the nursery and talk to

our staff about making fall additions to the garden.



Japanese Maples

Fall has arrived, and the Japanese maples in our landscapes are

 beginning to put on their spectacular seasonal display. Cooler

 nights and shorter days bring out brilliant shades of gold,

orange, and scarlet red, transforming these beautiful trees into

 living works of art. Western Washington’s climate is perfectly

 suited to Japanese maples, thanks in part to the moderating

 influence of the Pacific Ocean. With centuries of cultivation

 behind them, Japanese maples offer an incredible diversity of

 shapes and sizes—from small, graceful weeping varieties to larger,

 vase-shaped trees that can reach 25 to 30 feet tall. There’s

 no better time to experience these Pacific Northwest garden

 treasures than in the fall, when they’re at their most vibrant. Come

 visit the nursery and explore our wide selection of Japanese

 maples—we’d love to help you find the

 perfect one for your landscape!

Moody Fall Foliage

As the days grow shorter, fall brings deeper, moodier colors to the

 garden—and those rich tones can be just as beautiful indoors.

Houseplants like Rex Begonias, Alocasia 'Polly', Calatheas, Ficus

 elastica 'Burgundy', and Black ZZ Plants offer striking shades

 of burgundy, plum, deep green, and nearly-black foliage. Most

 prefer indirect light and benefit from careful watering as growth

 slows in the cooler, darker months, so allow the soil to dry appropriately

 between waterings and avoid overwatering. Group these dramatic plants

 with warm-toned pots, woven baskets, wood, pumpkins, or dried

 branches to create a cozy autumn display. Fall isn't only about bright

 oranges and yellows—the deep greens, burgundies, purples, and

 shadowy tones of foliage can bring a warm, sophisticated

 touch of the season indoors.

October To-Do List

Weed early and often. Get to the weeds

before they produce seeds.

 The seedlings are re-

 emerging; stay on top

 of removing them.

Put the Garden to bed. It's time to tidy

 up the garden. Trim back herbaceous

plants that have gone dormant, such

 as Hostas, Ferns, and

hardy Geraniums. 

Refresh containers and borders with

 fall color such as pansies, mums

 and ornamental kale.

Lift and store tender summer-blooming

 bulbs such as dahlias and cannas and

 provide protective storage during the

 winter freeze. Storing in a cool

 shed or garage is ideal.

Rake up leaves and mix your compost

 bin for next Spring's "black gold".

Feed your lawn with a light application

of fertilizer in early fall. Patch

 thin areas by reseeding. 

Fall is a great time for planting trees and

 shrubs.  The cooler weather allows them

 to become well established and create

 better root development before

 the cold weather arrives.

We recommend staying on top

of slug and snail control

 with environmentally

and pet-friendly Sluggo

Mulch your garden beds with high-quality

Gardner & Bloome Soil Building

Conditioner, which will also

increase your soil's fertility

  with composted plant

  material and manure.