I could go outside blindfolded and still know that Autumn has arrived!

The air, although still temperate for October, has a nip in it…especially in the morning. It smells like fallen leaves and pine needles. Even on a heavily overcast day like today, it is bright and inviting.

The trees have shed enough of their foliage that there are carpets of red, gold, and orange beneath them. but there are still enough leaves hanging on to the twigs and branches that when I look up, I feel like I am under a colored umbrella. It is really beautiful.

Mid-October Autumn Roses

In this mid-October, the roses that are blooming in the garden are loaded with rich color and fragrance.

At the moment, the orange roses like ‘Hot Cocoa’ and ‘Habitat for Humanity’ have deepened to a dark, Fall russett. Yellow roses, like ‘Sultry’ have taken on a deep, golden hue. Fragrances have gotten much richer as the plants slow down and begin their process of beginning dormancy.

This is the quiet time of year in the garden. No more deadheading… we don’t want to do anything to stimulate more growth. This is when I pull petals off before they fall so the roses know that their job is done for the year. If they are able they will set seed. I will cut a few blooms for the dining room table, and will share a few with friends and family. But, for the most part I will leave my bushes standing as is until they have slipped into their annual slumber.

I have not sprayed in my garden since the beginning of September. That is when I started to see Praying Mantis among the roses, and I wanted the mantis to stay for awhile. I’m amazed at how little disease is out there. I spotted a little bit of powdery mildew this morning, but seeing a little disease in mid-October doesn’t bother me at all.

My roses have grown gigantic over the last two months. Part of that is because they love growing when the weather gets cooler, but mostly it is because daylight hours are slipping away from us rapidly and the canes are reaching for the light. Some of the hybrid teas are 8′ tall and still going!!! No matter, because next month I shall prune them ‘way down in preparation for the winter to come.

Celebrate

Enjoy this Autumn season of spare time in the garden!! Sharpen up your pruners and loppers, as you will want to make clean cuts next month when it’s time to cut back and winterize the gardens here in the Northeast. Bring some gorgeous blooms inside to enjoy, and take some walks around your gardens to enjoy the roses, the beautiful foliage, and the migrating birds above…I love to see and hear the big braces of geese flying overhead! This is just a little respite…next month contains a big job for us, and then we will all have earned our yearly rest.