This is a good time to rid your yard of that “ole nemesis” poison ivy. The leaves turn yellow or bright red at this time of year, so it is easier to identify it. It is susceptible to herbicide treatment during the cooler weather. It absorbs and sends the herbicide down to the roots, thus killing the pest. Round Up works well. You may need a second application to insure its death.

If you are interested in starting composting to improve your garden soil, I recommend you beg, borrow, or get a friend to allow you to read their gardening how-to magazine, the September and October issues. There is an excellent article on both hot and cold composting methods, and they work.

One method that some of my friends and I use is using large black plastic bags to make compost. This method is not in the article but here is how you do it: Place leaves in the large plastic bag, moisten them, and tie the bag up and place it in a shed or other protected location. Do this in the fall and leave them until next spring, and bingo. You have golden compost. A friend gave me two large bags this past spring, and I really appreciated them. I had failed to make some last fall. Rilla and I both had heart surgery at the time I could have done them.

Be sure you rake or mow and mulch around all your fallen leaves this month if you haven’t already done so.

Do not allow weeds to go to seed. It will save you a heap of trouble next year. It will help to control the diseases and insects, also.

Remember, do not use acting fertilizers at this time. They will leach away before spring and you will lose their value. Lime now for its sweetening effect to your soil. If it is done now, the freezing and thawing will take a lot out of it before your plants. Start growing in the spring.

Be sure your water hose is protected from winter freezes to come. Now is a good time to do all of the repair work to your tools, flats, etc. in preparation for spring. Don’t forget your lawnmowers and tillers.

You should spray your fruit trees while dormant with commercial insecticides. Get ready to prune your trees in November or December.

Prepare a trench for planting your sweet peas next spring. Dig the trench two or three feet and mix the soil well with plenty of manure or commercial later in the winter. The latter will leach out if put in place now.

If the weather is dry, be sure to water your evergreens. They should be mulched, after the ground freezes. Now is a good time to plant dwarf fruit trees.

Till next time… let’s play in the dirt!