Coming up . . .

Halloween is just a day away, but there is still time to spruce up your front porch or stairs. And use up that too large zucchini. My neighbor, Glen, did this wonderfully spooky carving using vegetables right out of the backyard.

If you can’t use up all your fruit and vegetables for dinner, canning, or holiday decorations, don’t just leave them on the trees or in the yard. Any diseased or dying leaves or produce is an invitation for problems next summer. Out in the trash they go. (unless your compost pile gets hot enough to kill disease spores)

And have I said often enough that this is the time to add organic matter to your garden? A couple inches of compost, composted chicken or steer manure, or straw or a planting of cover crop will make a big difference come spring.

Annual Chrysanthemum Show and Sale
Did you know that the chrysanthemum has been cultivated for over 3,000 years? No wonder there are so many forms from the sweet daisy-like to the dramatic seen at football games. Discover the full spectrum of these colorful fall flower this weekend.
Portland Nursery - Division; Saturday and Sunday, October 31st from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and November 1st from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Chrysanthemum Exhibit at the Portland Classical Chinese Garden
Learn about the cultural significance of the chrysanthemum in China where the story of this flower began. All this week there will be events in the garden. All free with garden admission.
Portland Classical Chinese Garden; November 2nd through 8th.

Fall Fruit Tree Care
Lyle Feilmeier of Collier Arbor Care will talk about what needs to be done in fall to keep your fruit trees healthy and productive. Highlights on pruning, clean-up, and dormant spraying.
Portland Nursery – Stark; Sunday, November 1st; 1:00 pm.