The Inside Dirt at iloveplants.com - October 2004

In This Issue:
* The Miracle of Fall
* Top Website Choices for Ornamental Grasses
* Chrysanthemums for Fall Color
* Garden Bargains - Fall Garden Savings
* Recipes for your Fall Harvest
* Successful Seed Saving
* The Lady in Red Hydrangea - New Plant Available in 2005

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers! Fall is one of the nicest times of the year. Here in Florida and many warmer climates it is the beginning of a milder growing season and a pleasant time to be in the garden. For cooler climates it is a time to clean up and prepare the garden for winter. Wherever you live it is a great time to be outdoors enjoying the splendid days of Autumn.

We've got some great information on Fall for you this month. You won't want to miss The Miracle of Fall which contains a plethora of information on all things Fall. Our top website choice for the month is on ornamental grasses which add beauty to the garden in all four seasons of the year. Plus more - chysanthemums for fall color, recipes for your garden harvest and tips to successful seed saving. You will also find information on a new variety of hydrangea that will be available in 2005, and lots of Fall garden bargains online.

THE MIRACLE OF FALL

Colorful leaves dance and swirl in the wind. The pleasant coolness of the air combined with warm autumn colors reminds us that fall is here.

If fall is one of your favorite seasons, then you will enjoy the photos, foliage updates, and the live foliage cams that can be found on The Miracle of Fall page created by the University of Illinois Extension Center. It�s a terrific resource with a combination of fun activities, tips on the selection of best fall foliage trees to plant and other things fall.

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES

Ornamental grasses add a creative element to a garden. Their needs are few, yet they contribute so much to every season. Soft flowing new growth in Spring, blooms on drought-tolerant plants in Summer, golden Autumn color and beautiful dried foliage in Winter.

Our viewers have given this website on ornamental grasses a rating of 10!

Growing Ornamental Grasses in the Garden by the Garden Helper covers it all. Everything you need to know about growing grasses from preparing the soil, plant hardiness, choosing the right variety, site preparation and planting, fertilization requirements, and dividing mature plants.

See our Ornamental Grass Page for more websites with information on growing ornamental grasses, as well as some mail-order sources.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

The jewel-tone colors of chrysanthemums are the perfect addition to the fall garden. Planted in flowerbeds or displayed in pots at your front door, they create a warm welcome for visitors. Sandra Mason (University of Illinois) provides timely tips on maximizing their bloom power and what to do with them when they�re finished blooming in her article entitled Chrysanthemums for Fall Color.

GARDEN RECIPES

At freerecipe.org you will find 74 tasty recipes for your fall vegetable harvest.

SUCCESSFUL SEED SAVING

If you like to save seeds from your plants for next year�s garden, then you won�t want to miss the tips offered by Joyce Moore, Oregon Master Gardener in her Guide to Successful Seed Saving.

LADY IN RED HYDRANGEA� NEW IN 2005!

The Lady in Red is an exciting new hydrangea that will be available in 2005. The plant features distinctive red stems, rich fall foliage color and lush pink lacecaps that mature red. Visit the Lady in Red Hydrangea website for information on care and planting, as well as where to buy.

GARDEN BARGAINS

Visit our GARDEN BARGAINS page for the latest special offers, discounts and sales offered by nurseries and garden product companies.

THE GARDENER'S BOOKSHELF

Visit our new Gardener�s Bookshelf directory to view our selection of books on roses, annuals, perennials, trees, orchids, landscape design, water gardening, trees and garden structures.

By choosing books through our partnership with Amazon you will be helping to support iloveplants.com. We will donate 10% of the profits generated from book purchases to the Garden Conservancy Organization to help conserve gardens today and for future generations. Thank you for your support!

REVIEW A WEBSITE

Share your experiences with other gardeners by reviewing a website, especially companies that you purchase plants or products from via mail-order. To review a website just go to any website throughout iloveplants.com, click on �review it� in the upper right hand corner and type your review.

Until next month, I hope you enjoy your time in the garden this fall whether you�re planting chrysanthemums, raking leaves, picking apples or just relaxing!

Susan Myers