“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — L.M. Montgomery

“The crickets still sing in October. And lilly, she’s trying to bloom. Tho she’s resting her head on the shoulder of death, she still shines by the light of the moon.” — Kevin Dalton

October temperatures will slowly lower with each passing day and night with an invitation into the great outdoors. After surviving the summer’s heat, the early evenings and mornings are quite comfortable as we pause for a brief moment in our landscape gardens. In October, as the leaves turn to their brilliant fall colors and drop to the forest and landscape floors, they will make the ground glow and shine with light. October is my favorite season.

Sports networks have tabbed baseball players as the “boys of October,” but nature tabs us as the “boys and girls of October!”

Our interests are occupied with sports, entertainment, chores and hobbies as the days of October pass on by. As you begin your landscape activities this season, here are some planning notes as reminders that should merit 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 for 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 (megabucks) 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 No. 1 or one gallon containers for filler plants (like junipers, hollies, etc.) and as you direct attention toward a focal area or specimen plant (like a Japanese maple), use a larger size such as No. 3 or three gallon, No. 5 or five gallon, No. 7 or seven gallon, etc. Dogwoods and crape myrtles in bed groupings in the lawn area should be a minimum of five or seven gallon. 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 too close together, too close to structures, driveways and streets, etc.

Always call before you dig. Contact your utility companies (power, cable, phone, water, sewer, etc.) and have them 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 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 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 three, five, seven, etc. unless a more formal setting is preferred.

Dogwoods and azaleas need shade. White dogwoods are easier to grow than the red or pink 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 awesome.

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 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 (Feb. 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.

Always think in terms of native and sustainable plants in the landscape. Keep your hanging baskets and potted plants refreshed with water and food. Select your mums for fall color. Plan a road trip to enjoy fall colors in the mountains with all that splendor and beauty designed by nature. Remember to feed and water the songbirds. Give your pets the care they need. Also, be on the 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. Help the homeless every chance you get. And, as you receive blessings, always pay them forward. Let’s keep everyone safe and secure! And enjoy some football along with the weather. Go team.

“And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” — Matthew 10:38-39.

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, Associate Editor of The Golf Course, International Journal of Golf Science, and Short Term Missionary, Heritage Church, Moultrie. Direct inquiries to csi_seagle@yahoo.com.