Coming up . . .

There’s still lots of fun to be had in the garden even as it gets cooler. We usually think of it as 'work' or 'cleaning up', but fall tasks are all part of the garden’s yearly cycle.

A layer of compost (2 to 3 inches deep) will protect roots from winter damage. Consider covering perennials beds and shrub beds with homemade or store-bought compost or organic mulch.

Spring bulbs – tulips, daffodils, crocus, anemone – are in the nurseries and ready to be planted. Plant them in spots that have good drainage and don’t get soggy over the winter.

Save time and trouble next spring. Pick up diseased leaves and fallen fruit. They’ll just spread problems around over the winter. Throw them out in the trash; don’t compost them.

Chinese Garden’s Autumn Plant Sale
Come find unusual and exciting plants for your own garden, at great prices, just in time for fall planting. Members of the Garden’s horticulture team will be on hand to help you select plants and to answer questions about their care.
NW 3rd and NW Everett, Saturday and Sunday, October 17th and 18th, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Workshops at the Chinese Garden
Favorite Fall Shrubs with Roger Gossler of Gossler Nurseries; Saturday, October 17th at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
How to Grow, Harvest, and Brew your own Tea with Veerinder Chawla; Sunday, October 18th at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
Workshops are free with Garden admission; no reservations are required.

Portland Rose Society
Want to learn more about roses, so your bushes bloom even better next year? Well, this is the place to start. Meet next year’s officers, get answers from consulting rosarians, or check out the lending library.
Oaks Amusement Park – Dance Pavillion, Monday October 19th, 7:30 pm.

Wintering Over: Prepare Your Yard for Winter
Learn how to keep your precious plants protected through the winter. Find out which plants should be pruned back and which ones are better left alone. Also, discover which plants need some extra protection before the cold temperatures set in.
Al’s Garden Center – Sherwood; Saturday, October 17th, 10:00 am.