A few frosty nights under our belt have depleted the annuals and perennial weeds. I spent time this weekend cutting weeds back and clearing fallen leaves away from tender trunks of shrubs and trees. By clearing out leaves and debris, we remove hiding places for voles or rabbits and expose them to our local foxes, coyotes, and hawks.
I like helping nature. Supposedly, autumn brings more rain to New England, but not this year. Tuesday’s rain was not enough to make up for weeks of no rain.
Continue to water any newly planted shrubs or trees deeply once a week through November. You want plants to have moist soil when we get a hard freeze. When the ground thaws in spring, that water will be available to the plants immediately.
Last week, I talked about blueberries being a good alternative for the burning bush. You might see crimson burning bush escapees in the woods right now, in addition to those gracing older landscapes. The invasive burning bush ( Euonymus alatas ) displaces native shrubs that native wildlife needs for food and shelter.
Massachusetts garden centers are prohibited from selling it. Fothergilla gardenia or Fothergilla x Mt. Airy , both native selections, have brilliant autumn foliage like the native blueberry.
Colorful and native alternatives exist! Tender beans, squash, and tomato plants have been sent to the compost pile, but we are still enjoying Brussels sprouts, onions, arugula, lettuce, and carrots from the vegetable garden. I can keep these plants edible .
