Well, friends, it is mid-October, one of my favorite months of the year. As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, fall has arrived at Old Castle Cottage. We had our first light frost last night, and I’m certainly not ready for that! But before we dive into garden highlights, I’m excited to share a little about a leaf-peeping road trip through the stunning autumn landscapes of New England. We visited Kennebunkport, Maine; Bar Harbor and Southwest Harbor, Maine; the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire; and finally, Woodstock, Vermont. The fall foliage this year was nothing short of spectacular. I’ll be writing a blog post recounting our journey through charming towns and the autumn spirit we encountered along the way. In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite photos. |
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As autumn unfolds, the garden is still alive with color! Our chrysanthemums are in full bloom. Caring for mums is relatively easy, and here are some essential tips: Mums thrive when planted in the ground or in a pot in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. They do not like to stay in their nursery containers. Mums prefer consistent watering—water deeply once a week. If you planted your mums, water from the base, and if you’ve left them in the nursery container, soak the roots in water. I admit I’m not great at deadheading, but if you do, your mums will bloom longer. If your mums are in containers, you can plant them in the ground—just remember to cut the stems back to about 4-6 inches above the ground after the first frost. |
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I’m also enjoying the last of the dahlias. I wrote a blog post about how to dig them up after a hard frost, but this year, I’m going to try keeping them in the ground. I’ll keep you posted if it works in my Zone 6b garden! |
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Finally, I wrote a blog post on how I’m preparing my garden for fall, which I’ve linked here if you haven’t seen it. Currently, I’m busy planting my spring bulbs. As a reminder, it’s not too late to order your spring bulbs—you can plant them until the ground hardens. You can check out my October gardening check list here. |
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I know it’s only October, but I’m already making my home cozy for the holiday season. Can you believe Thanksgiving is just six weeks away, and Christmas is only 10 weeks out? Time is flying! I’m planning my tablescape for Thanksgiving. If you’re looking for inspiration or want to make a floral centerpiece for your table, I’ve linked last year’s tablescape here. |
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I just ordered my amaryllis and Paperwhite bulbs from Jackson & Perkins to plant in November for Christmas blooms. I’ve linked what I ordered here and here—use code OLDCASTLE15 for 15% off. |
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I know some of you think it’s too early to be thinking about Christmas, but honestly, if you know me, you know I love decorating for Christmas. I’m excited because I just received a new Christmas tree from King of Christmas! I also just received my Antique Candle Company order with my favorite scent, Christmas Tree Farm. It is celebrating 5 years and is 30% off. Get yours here. |
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Thank you for being part of our little community. I hope you enjoy the garden as it winds down, but also take time to appreciate the slower pace of the season. |
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Old Castle Cottage
Newtown, CT 06470, United States |
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