There is nothing more spectacular than a brilliant, cool October day, especially after a tremendously hot summer! I’ve seen quite a few days like this recently. The foliage gradually changed color from Midas’s touch and within a few days was totally saturated with brilliant, rich hues. It’s a perfect backdrop for the lovely roses that are still blooming in the garden. It’s as if all of nature is celebrating the loveliness of Autumn…the contrast among the azure sky and the yellow, golden, orange, and red leaves is stunning; add to that the emerald green of the lawn just below and I am bedazzled every time I go outside.

It is so nice to have this beauty to enjoy. October is break-time for rosarians. Our roses have grown tall and stretched out because of the waning sun, which is daily lowering a little more. My Neighborhood Garden out near the street gets very little sun this time of year. Midas’s golden orb has sunken deeper into the southern sky, and when it arrives at the front of the house, it is blocked by the tall trees on the property line.

Garden Care

I stopped deadheading my garden September 1st, and my roses are now slowing down. Those that were able have produced big hips (seed pods). We deadhead our roses all summer to keep this from happening. We think God created roses to bring beauty and fragrance into our lives, but roses think they were created to reproduce themselves! In letting them produce seeds, they think their parental job is done, and we are encouraging them to get ready for the coming winter. In combination with the shorter days, any new growth slows until we get that big freeze which will tip them all into dormancy. No more feeding!

I’m still watering one garden, my Sunrise Garden, because it is tucked under really big soffits on the back side of the house. The rain never hits in that garden unless a big easterly wind is blowing. If we don’t get some rain soon (we are in a drought and are almost 12″ behind normal precip, with two more months to go!) I will give all the roses in the gardens one more good watering. I don’t want them going into the winter stressed from moisture deprivation.

Autumn Activities

Do yourself a favor and stroll around your gardens daily. Cut some roses for yourself or your friends. I always marvel at the colors brought on by the cooler weather. You will notice, also, that the fragrance is greatly enhanced on Fall roses…mmmmmm! They will usually last a lot longer in the vase, too, because this time of year it takes a lot longer for the blooms to develop. When you bring them in, they are loaded with energy and are ready for a spectacular performance on your table!

Enjoy the Autumnal respite in the garden, enjoy Midas’s golden touch. Take lots of beautiful pictures, because they will help you through the winter when it is cold and snowy outside! And get ready for one more big job in the garden…Fall Pruning, coming soon!