Good Morning Friends,

Welcome to November! The month for gardens to start their winter rest. It's also Thanksgiving month, and as we reflect over the past season, we have much to be thankful for. True, we had a dry summer, but that's minor in light of what many in the world need to deal with today.

Tuesday afternoon, I was outside working under clear blue skies, getting ready to mow some hay for the cows. That's a fun job, but the icing was on the cake that day. I was greasing the mower and checking over it for anything out of order. In the background was this foreign sound far off in the distance, sounded like some dogs, maybe, but far away. A bit later, the sounds came through more evident: Snow Geese! The grease gun was forgotten. I started scanning the sky. They had to be high. Could I catch them between the clouds? Sure enough, they were literally thousands of feet in the clear blue sky. They were trading out leaders when I first saw them and soon had re-formed, their v-formation and south-east they went. 

I don't get a chance to see them very often during the fall migration, so it was a delight. They are one of my favorite migratory birds. There is something about their call that grabs my attention. It is such a unique sound, like distant hounds baying high in the sky. They fly high and fast, usually in large groups. The determination, organization, and long-range focus astound me. They have an impressive story of migration from the coastal marshes of the eastern shore in the winter to the far north to far-flung places like Baffin Island in summer. An amazing bird! 

Changing seasons always bring with them fascinating things. Subtle changes here and there, and then suddenly, you realize it has arrived!

I wish you a blessed November,

~ Ethan Weber 

This Week's Highlights

Now's the Time NOT to Prune

That is if you are pruning shrubs. Most people think the correct time to prune is in the fall. But very few plants should be pruned in the fall. The right time for shrubs and trees that bloom on new wood is late winter or early spring. These include Panicle Hydrangea, Butterfly Bush, Crape Myrtle, and Roses. Shrubs and trees that bloom on old wood should be pruned right after they bloom. These include Forsythia, Weigela, Deutzia, Lilac, and Bigleaf Hydrangea.

Perennials are treated differently. Wait until we have a few light frosts and the foliage begins to turn brown and die back. Then, you may cut them down, but be aware of several exceptions. Many gardeners leave coneflowers, black-eyed susans, and shasta daisies standing over the fall to help feed the birds. In addition, some perennials, such as mums and ornamental grasses, overwinter better if you cut them back in spring. If preserving pollinators is on your radar, you should wait to prune and clean up your perennial garden until spring to keep overwintering eggs or pupae from being destroyed.

Quote for the Day!

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18