“This tree must be falling for me, as soon as I sat under it, it dropped its leaves. Oh sweet October!” Charmaine J. Forde. “I wish that every day was Saturday and every month was October.” Charmaine J. Forde.

Pine cones and needles, leafy sidewalks and lawns, and crisp morning air – what a wonderful combination and time of the year. October temperatures will slowly lower with each passing day and night with another invitation into the great outdoors of nature. Pause for a brief moment in your landscape garden to simply enjoy the routines of nature from the color of leaves and flowers to the sights and sounds of wildlife as they scurry all around. From fireside chats in crisp evening air to marshmallow roasts and coffee or hot green tea with good friends and family, it’s the season of October.

Our interests are further occupied with football, exercise, entertainment, chores, and hobbies as the trifecta of October, November, and December happens. Thus, as you begin your landscape activities this season, here are some planning notes as reminders that should catch your attention.  

If the landscape looks complete the day the project is finished, then you have either spent a lot of money for instant greenery using mature plants or you have done something wrong. This usually means that you have probably placed the plants too close together (a smorgasbord with major renovation in store in the short term) and/or too close to houses/structures. Understand container size, maximum average size at maturity, and physical placement. It is usually too expensive, financially, for most people to install all plants at mature size and shape in the landscape which would not be cost effective for many of us.

For example, use a mixture of container sizes for your project. Use #1 or 1 gal containers for filler plants (like junipers, hollies, etc.), and as you direct attention towards a focal area or specimen plant (like a Japanese maple), use a larger size such as #3 or 3 gal, #5 or 5 gal, #7 or 7 gal, etc. Dogwoods and crape myrtles in bed groupings in the lawn area should be a minimum of 5 or 7 gal. By using multiple container sizes (be consistent in container size within a species of plant) throughout the landscape, you are able to achieve an attractive landscape quickly with appreciative curb appeal.

Attention to detail and curb appeal are critical factors that take a common landscape to the next level and make it much more appealing and priceless, as well as adding value to the site. Everyone wants a landscape that is both functional and appealing. To take a novice approach to landscaping can be distracting, destructive and cost ineffective with plants to close together, to close to structures, driveways and streets, etc.

Always call before you dig. Contact your utility companies (power, cable, phone, water, sewer, etc.) and have each one mark where their service lines are located. This protects you from paying major expenses when severing a utility line that is not marked.

Without hesitation or reservation, always seek the advice and assistance of a landscape designer and/or consultant who can provide you valuable information and services in project development. Also, as you seek the services of a landscape contractor, pursue those with positive track records and follow up on their references. These parties should be unbiased and provide professional and economical services. The last thing you want is for your landscape to be planned and planted by incompetent individuals who offer limited options and restricted (minimal) inventories of plants. These people are here today and gone tomorrow, taking your available and valuable funding with them and leaving you with a mess to correct.

Understand the uses for both evergreen and deciduous plants. Evergreen plants are very effective as foundation plants around the home and deciduous plants can be used very effectively away from the foundation area throughout the lawn and landscape area. Know that pecan trees are production trees not landscape plants (if used, should be planted at significant distances from the home) and can be very troublesome in the summer (shade) and fall (leaves).

The spacing of plants is critical and every effort should be made to minimize overcrowding. In general, annual and perennial flowers should be planted on one-foot centers, daylilies on two-feet centers, and mums on three-feet centers in beds. Also, woody groundcovers should be planted three-feet centers, small shrubs planted on five- to seven–feet centers, large shrubs planted on 10-15 feet centers, and trees planted on 20-30 feet centers.  The controlling factor is maximum average size (height and width). Keep your groupings in odd numbers such as 3, 5, 7, and 9 unless a more formal setting is preferred or the bed requires more than 9 plants.

Dogwoods and azaleas need some shading. White dogwoods are easier to grow than the pink or red ones. Many different azaleas are available based upon color, size and bloom period. Crape myrtles are excellent choices, especially powdery mildew resistant cultivars. Indian hawthorns make good azalea substitutes in sun or shade. White Indian hawthorns are easier to grow and manage than the pink ones. Knock-out roses are great selections, except for the recent virus attacking them.

Wax myrtles make good natural hedges if space allows. Hollies and junipers make good accent and filler plants. In most situations, perennials are preferred over annuals because of longevity and ease of maintenance. Ornamental grasses and wildflowers can be used effectively. Select the male ginkgo and sweetgum, not the female. Also, the river birch and thornless honeylocust are also favorites.

Limit the use of red tip photinias due to potential Entomosporium leaf spot problems. With established red tips, limit pruning and sufficiently water, but not too much. Knock-out roses should be pruned for size and shape in February to March (February 14 is a good benchmark timing) before the new growth begins to develop. Limited early fall pruning is ok but do not prune late fall or early winter since the excess vegetation can serve as a protective buffer in colder weather. They can be lightly pruned throughout the growing season for shape and removal of damaged branches. Mums are very attractive plants for the fall and offer strong curb appeal.

Think in terms of native and sustainable plants in the landscape. May this bit of awareness spark your desire to learn and ask questions, encourage you to further apply your gained knowledge, and bring you to further realize that environmental stewardship and sustainability should be at the foundation of all your home landscape activities.

Keep your hanging baskets and potted plants refreshed with water and food. Remember to feed and water the songbirds, and to provide your pets the care they need (protect them from this extreme summer heat and humidity). Also, be on lookout for children playing and bicyclists riding along the streets and roadways throughout our communities. And remember to safely share the road with motorcycles. Drive alert and arrive alive. Don’t drive distracted or impaired, and don’t text while driving. Buckle up (click-it or ticket). Let’s keep everyone safe and secure! Help those in need and the homeless every chance you get. And, as you receive good deeds, always pay them forward. Pay for a stranger’s meal the next time you are eating out! Happy Anniversary to my wonderful and beautiful wife, Jennifer, on October 2.

“Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36. “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4.

Seagle is a Sustainability Associate, Golf Environment Organization (Scotland), Agronomist and Horticulturalist, CSI: Seagle (Consulting Services International), Professor Emeritus and Honorary Alumnus (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College), Distinguished Professor for Teaching and Learning (University System of Georgia) and Short Term Missionary (Heritage Church, Moultrie). Direct inquiries to csi_seagle @yahoo.com.