Top picks of favorite fall fruit

As soon as temperatures drop a bit, turning nights nippy and daytime air crisp and clean, our thoughts take a Pavlovian shift, falling hard for autumn's offerings. Summer berries are little more than sweet memories as we gaze at the budding apple trees around us. Like those famous dogs who couldn't control their responses to tasty morsels, our mouths water for the tangy, tart treats picked right off the trees.

There are so many varieties of apples are out there--far too many to list in this short post--and each type lends itself to a different delicacy. Below, I've listed some of my favorites in their tastiest forms.

McIntosh and Jonathan: Tangy but tender varieties that cook down nicely for applesauce

Braeburn and Rome: Firm, juicy with a touch of tartness. Best for baking whole

Fuji: super sweet and crisp. Great for candy apples

Honeycrisp: Nicely balanced between tart and sweet; a natural for salads

Gala: Juicy and sweet; perfect for pressing into cider

Granny Smith: Tart and sassy, but with sweet undertones--just like a granny you may know! Make an old-fashioned apple pie with this excellent specimen

Golden Delicious: Rich in texture, this type gives cobblers, crumb cakes and apple crisp a tasty edge

The best thing about any fresh-picked apple, no matter the variety? Biting into it, of course, and letting the juice run down your chin!

Create a stay-cation sanctuary

During a Labor Day family gathering this past week, a relative of mine talked about vacation.

"Time to start planning a trip so we have something to look forward to," she said.

That made me realize I don't take many extended trips away from home. I seldom feel the need to "get away from it all". For three seasons of the year there's always something new blooming in my home garden, and if I'm away too long I'll miss the show! If I do need a change of scenery, I head upstate to our modest house in the woods, where the nature-cultivated view always inspires and entertains.

It's not that I don't understand people's need to escape the everyday. As the world becomes increasingly crowded, noisy and intrusive, folks crave a break. Who doesn't long to unplug and relax every now and then? Going new places also sparks the imagination, and gives us the chance to cultivate friendships far and wide. For these reasons I enjoy venturing from upstate New York once or twice each winter to have a taste of the wider world. But come April, I'm right back where I love to be most: my own yard.

One of the main reasons my yard is so enticing to me is that it doesn't feel like a property in the middle of a neighborhood. Rows of smooth hydrangeas--backed by a privet hedge--prevent my northern neighbors from viewing my property (photo, above), as well as delighting me with seasonal scents and a knockout view of their own. The back and side yard to my south are layered in forsythia, a fast-growing perennial that can form a hedge in a season, and has amazing sound-proofing qualities. Visitors to my back-yard garden don't hear cars and lawnmowers from the streets and properties behind me--they hear birdsong and the trickle of fountains.

If you long for a retreat from the busy world but don't have the funds or desire to travel, try planting living hedges around your property to create your own little oasis. In addition to the shrubs and perennials I've already discussed, I've listed plants that I think make the best privacy protectors, grow the quickest, look the best, and last the longest:

Arborvitae: This tried-and-true shrub is your go-to for inexpensive hedging. By mid-fall (prime planting season) you can get a 6-foor shrub for as little as 25 bucks. My tip: plant them a little closer than directed on their tags to ensure you get a nice, tight hedge. Within a few years they will mesh and form a great wall of green. Yew is also a great choice.

Boxwood and hornbeam: These plants are both beautiful specimens if you want a more formal look. They're easy to clip and shape into hedges and a breeze to maintain (if you go out at regular intervals--try to establish a routine with these babies). The downside: they can be quite pricey.

Perennial grasses: If you have a summer place that you want to keep private but aren't really around in cold-weather months, grasses are the way to go. Grasses generally grow to a minimum of five feet (unless you specifically want a smaller variety). A stand of switch grasses will provide upright "fencing," like nature's soldiers standing at attention. If you want a more open, airy feel along your borders, opt for miscanthus. For all-out coverage, try the biggest of the bunch--a row of pompas grass will keep prying eyes and stray sounds away from your personal spaces.

If you've always loved the idea of floral fences, try climbing roses. You'll have to erect traditional wood, stone or wire fencing first, but if you buy enough rose bushes, you can completely cover the fencing with blossoms. This is a great option for a sunny, wide-open area that you'd like to enclose.

Whatever you choose to line your property with, plant in mid-fall, when temperatures are consistently cool, but not so cold that the plants can't successfully lay down roots and call your home their own.

Who rules nature?

Sometimes nature forces us to play favorites. Case in point: The hummingbird feeder taken over by a clever spider. Normally I don't get involved in wildlife border skirmishes. As my son has told me, I can't "play God." Best to let nature take it's course, right?

Wrong! When a crafty arachnid spins a food-gathering web from a splashy red feeder full of sweet-tasting "nectar" (as in the picture above--look real close to see his web and his curled up form beneath the feeder's "flower") he's got the fates slyly in his favor. I know it's his job. I also understand he needs to eat, just like the rest of us. Yeah, I guess he deserves to catch unwitting flies and hapless bugs. But hummingbirds weigh only 0.07 of an ounce. They could be trapped by the spider's nearly invisible web of death.

Sadly, there are many documented cases of this happening. And, I'm not gonna lie, I also hate it when one of my highly prized butterflies flits into the noxious network, suffering a slow, torturous demise. Most hummingbirds, however, know better than to get tangled in a spider's web, but when that web is so close to a coveted food source, I imagine it throws these tiny birds off their game a bit. It takes a lot of energy to keep those miniscule wings spinning--they flap them up to 80 times per second--so they are constantly seeking carbs to keep them charged. Get them close to a whole feeder full of food and I think they throw caution to the wind. Kinda like hazarding a stretch of desert in order to make it to the oasis.

I wasn't taking any chances. As gently as I could, I dislodged the top portion of the web and tried to anchor it on the porch post, but I think I ticked off the spider when a day or two passed and his mutilated web didn't catch a darn thing. I imagine he huffed off in disgust because when I checked this morning, he'd moved on. Sorry buddy. I'm the god of this garden.

Keeping dangerous wildlife out of your yard

A good friend of mine is vacationing this week in Maryland. She took the photo above from her beach chair amid the dunes at Assateague Island National Seashore. I don't know about you, but I think there are few things in this world as charming and inspiring as wild horses. They not only embody the spirit of freedom, but they seem able to seamlessly balance it with trust in the nearby human population. Every now and then they choose to mingle with people like they're doing in this shot.

Of course all of nature's creatures cross our paths at one time or another; it's up to us to decide how positive those interactions will be. During the years I've spent cultivating landscapes that enrich lives, I've learned that critter encounters are a vital component of the most rewarding experiences. Who hasn't paused to listen to the sorrowful lament of a mourning dove, followed the fluttering wings of a butterfly or peeked into a pond looking for fish? I've lost track of the myriad confrontations I've had with critters that fly, jump, crawl, run or slither through my yard. I'd have to say that 98% of those encounters have been good ones. Every now and then I'll come up against a garden visitor I'd prefer not to have calling upon me. Among the wildlife I'd prefer kept their distance are: bears, coyotes, and foxes.

Obviously we want to steer clear of these three types of wildlife, so prevalent in our northeastern woodlands. Although attacks on humans are rare, our pets can be highly susceptible to their hunting practices. Fortunately there are easy, eco-friendly and non-injurious ways to deter dangerous critters.

BEAR

Most injuries associated with bear/human encounters result when people feed them--directly or indirectly via gardens, bird feeders and full, unlatched trash cans. Bears are curious, and have a keen sense of smell. They are not fussy eaters. They prefer berries, nuts, grasses and carrion, but they've been known to eat from compost piles and lick grease off barbecue grills. They tend to mingle with humans during spring and summer months, after emerging from their dens, and from June until this time of year the males will roam, looking for mates. To keep them from checking into your yard for good, try the following:


--Store trash cans in a garage or shed, putting them out just before garbage collection
--Never leave pet food outside
--Dumpsters should be bolted and/or locked
--Make sure you latch sliding doors so only humans can open them
--If you see a bear at your bird feeder, remove the feeder for 1-2 weeks
--If you spot a bear with cubs, leave as quickly as you can (Mama bears aggressively protect their young)

COYOTE

Coyotes are actually small wolves. They hunt in packs of 2-3 and usually sleep in holes in the ground, increasing the odds of a chance encounter during your walk through the woods. They are carnivorous scavengers that can run up to 43 MPH, and will eat your small pet if they can catch it. They are most active during early morning and twilight hours. You will seldom hear a coyote approaching because they can actually tip toe. Walking on their toes helps them avoid other predators, and sneak up on you. To keep coyotes away, take these tips:

--Take woodland walks in the middle of the day
--Keep your yard free of food sources, which includes not leaving pets unattended.
--Report coyote sighting to local officials and keep neighbors apprised of their proximity
--Never try to catch one in a cage, call a licensed pro for that!

FOX

Foxes are seldom dangerous, unless you surprise them when they're with their young. These exotic creatures are often thought of as part dog and part cat, since they belong to the Canidae family along with dogs, but have vertically slitted eyes, retractable claws and behavior patterns like felines. There is no danger of foxes hunting pets since they seldom weigh more than 15 pounds, but they have been known to prey upon kittens. And the old adage about the fox in the henhouse is true--they are enthusiastic chicken-eaters! To keep them away from your coops:

--Get a Great Pyrenees or Akbash dog--they can be trained to chase foxes away
--Bright flashing lights deter foxes, especially if the flashing is staggered
--Try a net wire fence with openings 3 inches or less to exclude them. The fence should be sunk 1-2 feet into the ground, with an apron of net wire extending outward from the bottom at least 12 inches

Where are the monarch butterflies?

I've enjoyed my garden immensely this summer. The frogs in my pond have made it from tadpoles to adults, and are thriving. The birds are making good use of the feeders and birdbaths I've got scattered around the place, and the hummingbirds have finally shown up. It took them a while to discover the new feeder out front, but now that they know, I've got plenty of hummingbird activity on view each morning from my front porch.

I've seen so many butterflies! Yellow ones, blue ones--even black ones--but not the ones I long to see: the monarchs. Each day, I venture out in search of that flash of orange that tells me my beloved winged warriors are back from their trek northward from Mexico (and the next generation is frolicking among our plants), but I still haven't seen even one.

This morning I caught a flutter of brightness among the eupatorium. What I discovered was a faded, battered Eastern Tiger Swallowtail balanced delicately on the mop head of the Joe Pye weed. Butterfly sightings always make my heart soar, but today my heart dropped like a stone into my stomach. My little swallowtail was flying erratically. His wings were ragged, and the lower left quadrant was missing altogether, as though something had come along and taken a bite out of it (see photo, above). And he was all alone. No friends fluttering nearby. And still not a monarch in sight.

What's going on here? I asked myself, and immediately took to Google. Here's what I discovered:

It's been a tough year for butterflies. The weather has beaten up these little critters all over the country, but a rare snowstorm hit the hills in central Mexico this year, the place where the monarchs overwinter. The unusual weather there is responsible for wiping out a sizable number of the butterflies.

The problem of declining butterfly populations started years ago with urban sprawl, but became worse by major droughts in the U.S. a few years back.  Drought causes flowers to empty of nectar, and milkweed plants to die off, leading to the deaths of thousands of the winged insects. Ironically, this year's torrential rains and flooding made it harder for the butterflies to reproduce as they headed back north. In addition, there are concerns herbicides used on soybean and corn fields in the U.S. are killing off monarchs, since the chemicals have led to the die-off of milkweed plants. Milkweed is the only plant that monarchs lay eggs on. Its nectar is the sole food source for the young monarchs.

How to encourage the return of the monarch? Build a butterfly oasis in your backyard. As I've mentioned in previous posts, monarch-friendly plants include milkweed (Asclepias) for caterpillars to feed on, and flowers such as a butterfly bush (AKA Buddlea), for adult monarchs to drink from. And check out eButterfly.ca, a database that is helping researchers' document changes to the number and distribution of butterflies. Not only can you catch up on the latest buzz about butterflies, but you can share your observations, which benefits all of us.

Green giants

     I've often talked about the use of color in the garden, as well as proper plant placement for maximum impact, but it occurs to me that I haven't really touched upon the concept of scale. Of course it follows the laws of common sense to place smaller plants in tiny spaces and grander ones in vast, open areas, but most of our yards consist of a combination of the two.
    My yard--like most everyone else's-- is broken up into outdoor rooms, if you will: an array of areas arranged for specific purposes. I have a spot designated as my outdoor living room--the medium-sized patio. Potted plants of various sizes and a perennial bed of mostly small and mid-sized plants fill the non-usable areas. When the sun sets and the bugs come out, we move into the small screened porch. This space is too small to include more than a potted annual on the bistro set. The narrow front porch is the ideal place to have that first cup of coffee because the morning sun is warm and welcoming. I move my houseplants out here during the spring and summer seasons. To soothe my sense for the serene, I'll settle by the pond, on the tiny deck built over a portion of it. Here I have an array of water-loving perennials ranging from small to large.
     When I wandered outside this morning, I literally gasped at the sight of a giant hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) blooming in a new spot out near my greenhouse (pictured above). The dinner-plate dimension of the blossoms is impressive enough to stop even die-hard nature haters in their tracks. Of course the crimson hue of this Luna Red beauty is stunning, but it's the size that really gives one pause,
     I planted it in early spring in a sprawling field of pachysandra, along with five rose bushes. The area is not only spacious, but busy: a greenhouse with a porch, fountain, competing plants, and all that groundcover. I figured anything that was going to dazzle among such delightful chaos had better have an impact. The hibiscus surely does.
     If you have wide open spaces, or just want grand plants with tremendous impact, try one (or more!) of the following:

1. Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium): Loves full sun and average soil. Very easy to grow once it's established. It can not only reach heights of 6-8 feet, but feathery blooms of dusty pink can be more than a foot around

2. Smooth hydrangea (Annabelle--Hydrangea arborescens): This hydrangea can tolerate more sun than the traditional macrophylla (blue- and pink-blooming) variety. The oversized white blossoms bloom profusely and larger than life. Each "snowball" can reach an average of 6-12 inches

3. Peony (P. lactiflora): These plants reach heights of 2-4 feet with flowers that average 8-12 inches in diameter. Truly a giant among flowering plants

Oooo, that smell!

A few weeks ago I discussed the sometimes-stinky nature of, well, nature. Nothing illustrates that point quite like the flower I'm exploring today: the Corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum). Three guesses as to what this unique specimen smells like. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Before I explain the special eau de parfum of this particular plant, I feel compelled to point out the unique attributes that attract people from far and wide, just to catch a glimpse (and an unfortunate whiff) of it.

Size: As the name Amorphophallus titanium suggests, this native of Sumatra (an island in Indonesia) is a titan, with a flower spike deemed the largest in the plant kingdom. In fact, the enormous tower of flower power boasts rings of both male and female flowers, produced along the base of the central spike (AKA the spadix), which is surrounded by a frilly spathe (the sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster). This spike reaches anywhere from 6-12 feet in height!

Color: The blossom's rich, crimson hue dazzles the eye--especially when combined with its gargantuan size. It transforms the mind-bending florals of Disney's Fantasia into real-life plants.

Growing habit: Like all things in life, waiting is the hardest--but most rewarding--part of this plant's process. It takes literally years for the flower buds to form (on average 7- 10 years), but when they do, look out--and look quick. In a matter of days, the enormous spike grows, 4-6 inches a day. Once it reaches its glorious bloom, take it all in as fast as you can, because it will shrivel and die within 36 hours. The specimen pictured above lives at The New York Botanical Garden in Bronx, NY. It was gifted to the famous garden in 2007, and is just now blooming.

Odor: Okay, there's no getting around it, this plant smells like rotting meat. The stench is vital to attracting pollinators that feed on dead animals. Lovely, huh? One kind viewer described the flower's unique odor as follows: "You know when you lose your child's sippy cup of milk in the car and it takes a few weeks to resurface? Once you find it, it goes right into the trash because there's no getting rid of that stench. That's the most accurate description I can come up with."

Thanks for that...I think.