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The time has come to turn back the clocks! (spring forward / fall back)  So don't forget to make the necessary adjustments this Saturday night.  Next week is Halloween, and if you have your pumpkins already, be on the lookout for pumpkin munching deer.  Yes, they love to munch on pumpkins!  (So will rabbits and squirrels and voles.)     

By the way, if you're still in need of Halloween decorations, I was just informed that all Halloween decoration goodies are on sale at both Natorp's Garden Stores - up to 75% off!  "Chee-chee-chee, haw-haw-haw - chee chee chee, haw, haw, haw."  (Did I scare you?)

-According to our local Witchdoctor Rita, Halloween lore said that to cure the plague and leprosy, one might swallow a buttered spider.   How about that one, Buggy Joe?

[Help wanted: Telepath - you know where to apply.]

*Whether it's the weather - Cooler weather continues in our area, which if it stays, will shut plants down earlier than the past couple years.  These cooler temps will also all but eliminate late grass seed from germinating late fall.  Look for that grass to come up next spring.  Timely rainfall has kept good moisture in the ground for existing plants.  Be sure to continue to monitor and water newly planted plants as needed.  Also check the dry spots in the landscape including under larger trees and evergreens, next to fences and structures that may block out rainfall, and between landscape plants and the foundation of the house.  One reason for needle drop on evergreens (dropping on the side next to the house) is lack of moisture on that side of the plant!

-According to Witchdoctor Rita, to cure a toothache, spit into the mouth of a frog and ask it to carry away the pain.  No kissing, just spitting!

[I took an IQ test and the results were negative.]

*What's bugging you? - You've heard from us and read in this newsletter about Bayer's Tree and Shrub Insect Control, and the wonderful job it does controlling many hard to control insects, systemically.  It's also one of the possible treatments for your ash trees to help protect against Emerald Ash Borer, should a homeowner decide to go that route.  But in a recent local gardening article, it was written up as the cure all for all bugs affecting your plants.  "Your plants are protected against all insects."  Well, it is truly a great product and works great for the insects listed on the label.  But it does not protect against all insects.  This product is highly recommended, but read the label for the insects listed for control.  There are a lot listed, but not all insects.  By the way, fall and spring are the 2 best times for application of Bayer's Tree and Shrub Insect Control.  Great stuff, but read the label before applications.  (And in some cases, a foliar insecticidal spray may be needed for backup, to ensure ultimate insect control.)   Speaking of the Emerald Ash Borer, if you haven't already done it, please visit one of our recommended web sites to learn more about it.  Thank you!  www.emeraldashborer.info        www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab     www.ashalert.osu.edu  

-According to Witchdoctor Rita, to release another person from the possession of a ghost, throw dust from your footprint at them.

[When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty.]

*Question mark and the Mysterians - Here are a few gardening questions from this weeks emailed news bag:

 “I want to mulch around trees that have grass growing around them.  It’s a lot of work to try and remove all that sod!   Do I have to remove all the grass before I mulch?”     -Well, this is one time we can cheat a little bit, if needed.   Mark the size of the ring you’d like to make around the tree, and using a sharp edged spade, cut the bed edge around the tree.  Take those pieces away - do not throw them back into the area that will be mulched.  Then, spray the grass with Roundup.  This will kill the grass in the circle, but not affect the tree.  Give the Roundup a few days to start working, then go ahead and mulch on top of the treated grass.  Remember, 1-3 inches deep maximum, and never place mulch against the trunk of the tree.  Mulching around trees should look like a donut.

Speaking of mulching, be sure to lightly mulch around newly planted trees and shrubs after planting.  But if you're winter mulching, don't do that until the ground temperatures dip close to 40 or into the 30's.  The idea is to keep the soil at that temperature throughout the winter.  We'll talk more about that at a later date.

“When is the time to apply WiltStop on my evergreens for added winter protection?”    -WiltStop is an all natural antidessicant that helps to seal moisture inside evergreen needles and leaves to help protect against moisture loss and winter burn.  But it’s too early to apply WiltStop.  We’ll do this later in the fall, possibly around early to mid December.

“I heard you mention a formula for spraying on moss to kill it.  What was that again?”   -There are sprays available for you to purchase for temporary moss control, or you can use this simple formula.  1 small box of baking soda dissolved in 2 gallons of luke warm water.  Kills the moss, but won’t harm other plants or structures.  But remember this is a temporary fix, and to get rid of moss permanently, you need to change the growing conditions so they’re not conducive for growing moss.

“We’re headed out to pick out our pumpkins for Halloween.  Any thing we should look for when picking out pumpkins?”   -Great question!  When picking out your pumpkin, look for pumpkins that have 2-4 inch stems that are firm and firmly attached (and remember to never carry your pumpkin by the stem!).  Inspect the pumpkin for and fresh cuts, bruises or soft spots.  Check the bottom of the pumpkin thoroughly as this is where most bruising and cuts occur.  These will allow for bacteria to enter the pumpkin and start them rotting.   I also look for the darker orange pumpkins, and a bit rougher rather than really smooth.  These seem to last the longest.   Now remember to wait to carve your pumpkin until the day or 2 days before Halloween.  Once the skin is punctured, bacteria begins to go to work , shriveling up those pumpkins, and we want to make sure that carved pumpkin lasts at least  through Halloween. 

“I have a container outdoors that I would like to do something decorative with it for the rest of the year, without planting fall flowers.  Any suggestions?”    -Absolutely!  Simply grab a pair of pruners, and start looking around the yard.  Cut yourself a few evergreen branches, get a mix a greens if you can, some branches with fruits or berries, branches with interesting bark like burning bush, and whatever else looks interesting.   Take your collection of cuttings and begin sticking in your container to make a nice natural arrangement.    As the holidays come along, you can place items in the planter that go with the holiday, and after the holiday season is over, this planter will look good for you all winter long.

“I would like to use the leaves I collect for winter mulching or for adding to the soil.  But I need them to be ground up in smaller pieces.  Any suggestions how to grind them up?”   -If you’re collecting whole leaves, simply place them in an empty garbage can, get out the string trimmer, and use it like a food blender.  It’ll chop those leaves into small pieces, perfect for the garden and for mulching.  Make sure you use eye protectors when doing this, and do be careful!

-According to Witchdoctor Rita, a flame will turn blue if a ghost is near.  H-m-m-m, my grill must have ghosts in it!

[I went for a walk last night and my wife asked how long I would be gone, and I told her I'd be gone the whole time.  Never realized how hard our couch was to sleep on all night.]

This week's Success Tip for your garden - Attracting birds to your landscape is a great way to help control insects in the summer, and a great way to liven up those hum drum winter days.  One of the best ways to attract birds is gardening for birds, and it’s a fun way to work with nature, beautify your yard, and learn about wildlife at the same time.  Planting evergreens to provide year round protection, planting deciduous trees and shrubs to provide a habitat for the birds as well as a natural source of food, and designing water in the garden, whether it’s a small pond or bird bath, are all ways to garden for the birds, as well as creating an attractive landscape.  Of course, the easiest way to attract birds is by supplying them with a source of food in a bird feeder.  If you’re already feeding the birds, good for you!  And if you aren’t, it’s never too late to start.  Now here are 3 very important tips about feeding the birds:  1.)    Always use a high-grade bird feed.  Cheap feed, although less expensive, has fillers most birds won’t eat, and actually becomes a waste of your money.  2.)    Always provide water for the birds.  It’s as important as the food.  3.)    Clean your bird feeders on a regular basis; using 10% bleach, 90% water solution.  Clean it well, rinse well, let it dry, and refill with a high-grade bird food.  This process helps to eliminate moldy feed, which can be life threatening to birds, as well as help sanitize the feeder to prevent against unwanted bird diseases.

-According to Witchdoctor Rita, the word witch comes from the Saxon word "wicca" which means "wise one".   Uh, yeah, okay then.

[I have an answering machine in my car.  It says, "I'm home now, but leave a message and I'll call when I'm out."]

*From the Garden to the Kitchen / Hey Rita, what's cooking? - Yardboy, I’ve been getting lots of questions about pork and how to cook it so I thought I’d address that now. Since the pig has been “re-engineered”, so to speak, making it much leaner, the problem most people have is overcooking. Trim the roast, if necessary, of what little fat there is, and rub it all over with olive oil. Then rub on seasonings of choice, like Cajun, or even a simple mixture of ground fennel, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Or marinate overnight in your favorite marinade or rub, like one of your favorites, Yardboy.  Roast pork tenderloin at 425 for about 20 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 140-150. Pork loins can be roasted at a lower temperature, around 350 to 375, since they’re larger. Carryover cooking occurs after you remove the meat from the oven – it will continue to cook and the temperature will raise up to 10 degrees. I don’t like to see pork go over 160, as that’s when it turns dry. Tent the meat with foil and let it rest 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat (they tend to run to the center during roasting, which is the coolest part of the roast). 

Small batch macaroni and cheese in the crockpot - If you don’t serve this as a main dish, count on leftovers. And use sharp cheddar to get a good flavor. Don’t ignore the salt and pepper. This recipe benefits from both. In a sprayed crockpot, put the following: 2-1/4 cups milk, 1 can, 12 oz, evaporated milk, 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard (opt but good), and 1 egg or substitute.      Beat the egg into the milk mixture well. Then add: 3 cups sharp cheddar shredded cheese, 8 ozs (2 cups) uncooked elbow macaroni or other short pasta of your choice, Salt and pepper to taste.   Stir and turn on low for 3-1/2 or 4 hours.  This is one recipe, though, that needs to be turned off and served after 4 hours, or put on warm, as it tends to get dry as it sits. 

 -Rita Nader Heikenfeld, CCP / PART TIME WITCHDOCTOR AND MAKER OF STRANGE POTIONS / Macy’s Regional Culinary Professional / Herbalist / Author / Local TV and Radio Cooking Expert / Adjunct Professor U.C. Clermont College / Community Press Papers /  [life@communitypress.com attn: Rita or www.abouteating.com]

-According to Witchdoctor Rita, over 30,000 werewolf cases were tried in France between 1520 and 1630.   She should know - she was there.

[If a word in the dictionary were misspelled, how would we know?]

*Yardboy's plant to ponder - I am pleased to announce that the Society of Municipal Arbosrists have chosen the 2007 Urban Tree of the Year, and the winner is - Taxodium disctichum, or commonly known as 'Bald Cypress'!  This large growing pyramidal shaped tree has the look of an evergreen during the season with its soft sage green needles, which turn a russet orange brown in the fall.  Its hardy zones 4 -11, which means you'll see it in Florida as well as Minnesota.  Grows in wet soils, but also adjusts quite nicely to drier soils (cypress knees appear more in wet locations).  Used as a specimen, in massed plantings, and being used more and more in street tree situations!  Truly a unique and underused tree in the landscape.  Great choice for the 2007 Urban Tree of the Year.  (Maybe next year they'll consider Dawn Redwood!)  www.urban-forestry.com

-According to Witchdoctor Rita, we can expect a full moon on Halloween in 2020.   Hope I'm still around to see it!

[I stayed up all night playing poker with tarot cards.  I got a full house and four people died.]

A little bit of this and a little bit of that - Natorp Fund Raiser for the Holidays - Don't forget that Natorp's offers your non-profit organization a couple fund raiser options for the holiday season, including selling Natorp Gift Cards, as well as coupons redeemable for Natorp grown Holiday Poinsettias.  If you would like more information, email rwilson@natorp.com, or jhouston@natorp.com. 

If you are tired of having to change rakes, depending on where you are raking (Big rake for the lawn, smaller rake for between plants, etc.), here’s a quick fix for that problem.  It’s called an Adjust o Rake.   Flip the lock, and it expands wide for lawn raking, flip the lock and it adjusts to a smaller rake for the hard to get between spots.  Big rake, little rake, all with the flip of the lock.  And, the Adjust O Rake usually retails for less than $15.

-According to Witchdoctor Rita, Halloween is still called "Cabbage Night" in some parts of New England.

[I had amnesia once - or was it twice?]

Classes, Seminars, and upcoming Special Events - The Central Ohio Beekeepers are hosting the Ohio State Beekeepers Fall Meeting in Columbus, November 11, 8:00am to 4:00pm, at the Ohio Dept. Transportation Bldg., West Broad St.  The meeting is open to all beekeepers and beekeeper-wanna-bees.  Classes for new beekeepers, for experienced bee keepers, classes for cooking with honey, Q&A, and other important beekeeping subjects.  There will be vendors, cooking with honey contest, door prizes, lunch, raffles, and more food.  For more information or to pre-register, call Dawn Feagan at 800-289-7668 ext 3220, or email  dawn@beeculture.com. 

Community Service Day in Granny's Gardens is Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, on the grounds of the Loveland Primary and Elementary Schools.  "It's a family affair".  Come and help put the gardens to bed, build new garden boxes, mulch garden paths, remove honeysuckle from the trail, and plant spring bulbs.  Come for an hour of stay for all 6.  Please bring tools - drills, saws, and shovels.  Lunch is at noon. To let Granny know that you're coming, or for more information, visit www.grannysgardenschool.com .

Civic Garden Center Calendar of Events 

Community Garden Development Training Series (CGDT)  CGDT is a hands-on 12 class series for groups or individuals who want to improve their neighborhoods by developing community-managed gardening projects.  This series is also a great resource for folks interested in becoming involved in an existing community garden or wanting to learn more about vegetable gardening at home.  CGDT classes are offered free of charge but require minimal volunteer hours for certification.  Please call (513) 221-0981 x 18 to register.         

November 2. Introduction to Tropicals: Houseplants and Gift Plants, at the Civic Garden Center, 6 – 8 pm.  Instructor: Jeff Kapela, Retired Horticulturist and Manager of Krohn Conservatory.  Tropical plants add a summery touch to any interior.  Jeff will draw upon his extensive travels in the tropics to provide us the basic ideas for care (and control) of our tropical houseplants and holiday plant gifts, and will show slides from his travels while discussing conservation. Cost: $10. Registration appreciated, 513/221-0981, Ext. 18.

November 4.  Basketry Class at the Civic Garden Center, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm.   Instructor: Linda Mitchusson, Basket Maker.  Construct a Small Multipurpose Basket to grace your home or to give for the holidays. The basket will be approximately 8”x12” and 6” deep, and features a carved D-handle woven into the basket. This project is appropriate for novice weavers.  Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch.  Fee: $30 includes supplies. Class size limited. Registration deadline: October 25, 513/221-0981, Ext. 18.

-According to Witchdoctor Rita, a popular Irish Halloween drink in the 18th century was made from roasted, crushed apples and milk.  It was called "Lamb's Wool".   She was there to make that, too!

[I was a peripheral visionary.  I could see the future, but only way off to the side.]

That's it for this week.  Now, do yourself a favor.  Go out and have the best weekend of your life.  See ya.  RW, the Yardboy.  (I will - I'm headed to the Buckeye Game!)  Go Bearcats, Go Bengals, and GO BUCKS!

[Catch Natorp's own grown yardboy Ron Wilson during the week:  -55KRC The Talk Station 'In the Garden with Ron Wilson' every Saturday from 6-9am  - Satellite Radio / XM TalkRadio 165 every Saturday from 6-9am  -610 WTVN (Columbus) every Saturday from 10-12pm (except during Buckeye Football Season!)  -Friday mornings at 8:06am on 55KRC's 'The Morning Show' with Jerry Thomas and Craig Kopp  -Thursday and Saturday mornings on Local 12 News (WKRC) Homeworx Team   -Garden expert for 'HomewoRx' with Gary Sullivan on Local 12, Sunday at 11:30am.  Be sure to listen to 55KRC The Talk Station for the best in talk radio! (Home of programming director Tony 'Big Dog' Bender, and executive producer Joe 'the original Joe Pro, who without Joe, the show just wouldn't go' Strecker.)

[When I erase a word with a pencil eraser, where does it go?  -Big Dog's point to ponder.]