Fall is a wonderful time of year, second only to spring. The intense heat fades into pleasantness. The days become shorter and the nights longer. As we watch leaves fluttering to the ground in the fall, we are reminded that nature's cycles are mirrored in our lives. Autumn is a time for letting go and releasing things that have been a burden. Christopher Hill (author of Holidays and Holy Nights) points out that for Christians who observe the liturgical (Christian calendar) year, autumn is actually the beginning of the cycle. Hill suggests that "the dynamics of the fall of the year have the sweep of a great symphony or an epic poem." So true in our gardens, we begin to let go of the gardening year, cull out the bad and protect the good. In…show more content… In comparison, fall is ideal for rose blooms. Usually, our extremely hot weather ends and cooler temperatures, especially at night, signal that the "second spring" has begun. These cooler temperatures stimulate rose bush growth and intensify the color of the rose blooms. You should continue preventive spray for disease (if you spray), continue keeping the garden free of weeds and debris, but stop fertilizing, pruning and cease dead-heading. You should get your winter mulch ordered. I am not a huge fan of fall rose planting, but some rosarians so with vigor. When to plant is a bit of a crap-shoot, however. According to Heirloom's website: "The roses need to be in the ground at least 10 weeks before your first frost in the fall.". According to Garden Know-How website: "Make sure that there is at least one month before your first frost date if you will be planting rose bushes. This will ensure that there is enough time for the roses to establish themselves. While it does take longer than a month for a rose bush to become established, the roots of a rose bush will continue to grow after the first frost. What you are really looking for is the time when the ground freezes. This normally occurs a few months after your first frost." The first hard freeze (below 28 degrees), in central Indiana, is usually around November 2nd. So, before you buy those marked-down bargain end-of-the-year roses at the nursery, make…show more content… I am driving over, if anyone wants to tag along, I would love the company. September 16th is the Fall Illinois-Indiana District rose show and meeting at the St. Louis Botanical Garden. This promises to be a wonderful event with Tom Carruth and Christian Bedard, speakers. There will be wonderful rose blooms in the show and a special tour of the Botanic Gardens. Great fun! If you need information, schedule, or registration – let me know. The following weekend, September 23rd, is Buckeye’s District Show and Convention at Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church, Seldom Seen Rd., Powell Ohio (less than 3 hours’ drive). Ohio always does a fantastic job, and I feel sure, there will be spectacular roses on the table. September 30th is the garden party at Humberto and Robin DeLuca’s home, 4:30 p.m., 11111 Echo Grove Lane, Indianapolis. RSVP to rhdeluca@gmail.com. I understand that Humberto has been working feverishly on his garden and I am confident that it will be a wonderful time for
