10/13/04
The Beauty of Fall
By: Donna Couch
Have
you been out driving the Parker County countryside in the past
few weeks and noticed all the changes from our cooler (finally)
weather? As we talked about last week, the chemical combinations
are changing the foliage and are creating quite a spectacle
along the roads.
But
have you noticed the beautiful tall stems of yellow flowers?
This is a type of sunflower that is different than our summer
variety; you know the ones with blooms the size of salad plates.
These are known as Maxmilians, and while the blooms are somewhat
smaller, they grow in clusters along the stems that can reach
to heights of up to six feet. They can be dried and used in
fall or spring arrangements, their bright yellow color making
a beautiful addition to bouquets.
While
you will see them growing in gardens around town, you’ll
really notice them in pastures in the area and along the roadways.
They are quite a delicacy to livestock, and of course a real
treat to deer who are roaming the area looking for food. Their
seeds provide a food source for birds and other wildlife in
their travels, and they also attract a variety of butterflies
as they search for blooms this season.
Keep
your eyes open for this beautiful sunflower variety as you
travel around the next few weeks.
And
speaking of the upcoming cooler weather, don’t forget
to take care of your outdoor friends as the seasonal changes
keep you indoors more.
Squirrels
and birds still need water and food, as do our other wildlife
that may visit your gardens. And with more building in our
county, many of our outdoor friends are losing their natural
habitats and feeding grounds. If you want to help them, please
don’t forget to leave fresh water in your bird baths
and seeds in your feeders. Beware however, you may attract
raccoons, deer and other wildlife, not just birds and squirrels,
so be prepared. We have found numerous sets of deer track recently,
and many of my plants show it! There are products and organic
recipes that can be used to keep animals from eating things
you don’t want them to. Another way to help keep this
problem to a minimum is taking care about placement of food
and water—don’t set them right next to your prize
plants!
Taking
care of our environment is a sure way to make sure it is there
for us tomorrow, and our little friends are part of that, so
don’t forget to take care of them, too. In the meantime,
enjoy the cooler weather, start moving plants back indoors
and adding extra layers of mulch to your garden. Clean and
trim plants and blooms that are fading, and make sure you get
your bulbs and winter annuals planted now, for longer enjoyment.
And don’t forget, when taking care of the wild animals
in your neighborhood, don’t forget the ROOS! Until next
time, happy gardening.
