FALL 2007

garden club
Creative Ideas for Outdoor ving

Incorporate fall color into your garden and outdoor rooms

WARM, COMFY SPACES

C U T T ING S

ON TH E R OA D

D O N E I N A D AY

Bulbs in Bloom
Plan and plant now for a beautiful spring show. PAGE 4

Long Island
Discover the natural side of this suburban destination. PAGE 12

Leaf Composters
Transform autumn leaves into organic fertilizer. PAGE 18

FROM OUR GARDEN

PLANT PROFILE

LETS GROW SOMETHING

Round out the gardening season by planting trees with vibrant autumn foliage.

TOGETHER
In many areas of the country, fall is all about savoring the last weeks of comfortable weather before we pull out our winter coats. With that in mind, weve filled this issue with ideas for celebrating the season in your open-air surroundings. Youll see how to liven up outdoor spaces for entertaining, fill your yard with immediate color, and plan ahead for a bountiful spring. For more inspirational projects and resources, visit LowesCreativeIdeas.com/ OutdoorLiving and your local Lowes. In the meantime, I hope your autumn days are filled with friends, family, and festivities.
(#82532)*

OCTOBER GLORY
RED MAPLE
Planting:
In fall (or early spring), plant the tree at least 20 feet from your house. Before you dig, the utility company can mark underground lines to avoid accidents. With overhead lines, make sure a mature tree will have enough clearance. October Glory tolerates sandy, wet, or clay soil, but thrives in moist, slightly acidic conditions. Aim for 1 inch of water per week during the first year. In northern climes, irrigate until the ground freezes. During dry periods, water established trees every 7 to 14 days.

Soil:

Watering:

BOTANICAL NAME:

P .S. Spend more time

enjoying your garden this fall, thanks to a complete weed-control solution from DuPont. Landscape MAX Weed Defense Fabric (#254519) is easy to install and perfect for hard-toreach spots. Ready Ring (#254514) is a precut weed defense circle that installs quickly around shrubs and trees. Long-Lasting Rubber Mulch (#82532)* is certified for play areas and also freshens up planting beds.
*Availability varies by market.

Fertilizing: Use a complete fertilizer

in early spring at a rate of 2 pounds of fertilizer per 1 inch of trunk diameter. Follow up with a second application at the same rate in late summer.

Acer rubrum October Glory

COLOR:

Bring more color to your fall landscape with these trees.

FAST GROWTH

Alternate Selections

Leaves dark green in spring and summer, brilliant red in fall

HARDINESS:

Landscaping:

This fast grower provides cool shade and spectacular autumn color.

Zones 49
PLANT TYPE:

I American plum (Prunus americana): Zones 48; 12 to 20 feet tall and wide I Northern red oak (Quercus rubra): Zones 38; 50 to 60 feet tall and wide

MEDIUM GROWTH

On the Cover: For more details on this porch makeover, see Warm and Inviting on page 8.

MELISSA BIRDSONG V I C E P R E S I D E N T, TREND, DESIGN & BRAND L O W E S C O M PA N I E S , I N C .

Seasonal interest: Tiny red

flowers cover the tree in spring, followed by red winged seeds, which attract birds and other wildlife.

Round-headed deciduous tree

SIZE:

Find Your Products

By relying on regional and local growers for quality plants and products, Lowes is able to provide you with selections that are best suited to your climate. The plants mentioned and shown in this issue may not always be available at your local Lowes, but your Lowes Trained Nursery Specialist will be glad to help you find comparable selections. And if your perennials, houseplants, trees, or shrubs dont survive a year, just bring the plants and your receipt in to your local Lowes, and theyll be replaced at no charge.

Lowes Creative Ideas for Outdoor Living is published by SPC Custom Publishing, Inc., 2100 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209. Copyright 2007 SPC Custom Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher. Lowes, the gable design, and Creative Ideas for Outdoor Living are registered trademarks of LF, LLC. All rights reserved. Address all correspondence to Lowes Creative Ideas for Outdoor Living, Attn.: Sandy Culver, P.O. Box 523-G, Birmingham, AL 35201. Lowes Creative Ideas for Outdoor Living is staff produced and cannot be held responsible for any unsolicited material. Printed in the U.S.A.

Special considerations: A layer

of mulch around newly planted trees retains soil moisture, reduces weeds, and protects bark from trimmer or mower damage. Maples are sensitive to deicing salts; position your tree away from roads or sidewalks where these solutions create salt-laden runoff.

40 to 50 feet high, 25 to 35 feet wide

EXPOSURE:

I Crusader thornless cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli inermis Crusader): Zones 37; 12 to 15 feet tall and wide I Green Mountain sugar maple (Acer saccharum Green Mountain): Zones 38; 40 to 60 feet tall, 35 to 45 feet wide

SLOW GROWTH
I American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana): Zones 39; 20 to 30 feet tall and wide I red Japanese maple (Acer palmatum Atropurpureum): Zones 58; 20 feet tall and wide

Strongest growth and fall color in full sun To find your planting zone, see If You Live Here on page 19.

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CUTTINGS

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Setting the Stage
Define your planting borders with an eye-pleasing backdrop such as evergreen shrubs, a pretty fence, or a water garden. Incorporate focal points to capture attention, such as a birdbath or a statue. Dress up your flowerbed for fall and Snip the stems at a spring with cool-season annuals: slant to expose more pansies, sweet alyssum, or surface area and ensure stock. Replace annuals in late that cut flowers get May with impatiens (for shade) enough water or trailing petunias (for sun). in a vase. Consider adding a perennial ground cover to create year-round interest and reduce mulch replenishing. Good choices for sun include sedum or golden creeping Jenny. For shade, try sweet woodruff or ajuga.

BULBS
Foolproof and fabulous, springflowering bulbs put gardening within everyones reach. Whether you re-create our cutting garden or fashion your own, these tried-and-true tips will help you achieve the perfect look. And youll have vases full of flowers next spring.

Plant now for beautiful spring bouquets.

IN BLOOM
This cutting garden was designed to bloom in stages throughout spring. See page 6 for a detailed plan.

Good To Know

Selecting Colors
When choosing bulbs, focus on your favorite color, or try shades that accent already established plantings throughout your garden. Also, think about the hues you enjoy in bouquets. You may consider various shades of the same color, or complementary colors, such as purple and yellow. For inspiration, see Bulbs Where You Live on page 6. To ensure showstopping results, consider blending solid and bicolored tulips using the tone-on-tone technique. For instance, place a solid deep purple tulip next to a lavenderand-white bicolored selection, choosing bulbs that flower at the same time. Or, skip the guesswork with one of Lowes Ton Sur Ton blend tulip packages.

GARDENING TIPS

Secrets to Bulb Success

Make the most of your blooms next spring by arming yourself with a little knowledge.

Planting by Design
Bulbs look best when planted in drifts, which create waves of color in your garden. An easy way to get this effect is to place selections in odd-numbered groupings. Using this technique also makes calculating how many youll need easier. Before you begin digging any holes, set out bulbs in the design you choose to ensure you have enough. Follow spacing requirements as indicated on bulb packaging (the exception being non-naturalizing tulips, which you can plant side by side). Also, check the package directions to determine how deep to dig. Generally, a bulb should be at a depth thats equal to three times its diameter. Add bulb fertilizer, mixing it into the base of the planting hole. After planting, water the bulbs, add a layer of mulch, and then water again.

FROSTY MORNINGS Bulbs can withstand light frosts. If temperatures drop below 29 Fahrenheit, foliage and buds will suffer. Cover flowers or, if the cold lingers several nights, cut them for bouquets. STRAIGHT AND TALL Keep daffodils from drooping by surrounding clumps with hoop supports. Create your own by snipping tomato cages apart with a pair of bolt cutters to form separate hoops. TULIP PROTECTION Deer love to munch on tulips. Protect buds with an organic animal repellent or a homemade garlicred pepper spray (combine garlic cloves, pepper, and hot sauce in a food processor, and then mix with water). FEEDING THEM Fertilize tulips when leaves emerge and again after blooming. Feed all other bulbs after flowering. Scratch bulb fertilizer into the soil around the bulbs, and then water. BOUQUET BLENDS Dont mix cut daffodils and tulips in the same vase. (Cut daffodils exude a sap that kills tulips.) DIVISION WISDOM When naturalized bulbs, such as daffodils or hyacinths, fail to flower, examine the planting clump. If bulbs are crowded, mark the clump with a stake, and then dig and divide them in fall.

Timing Your Blooms

Spring bulbs blossom at different timescrocus and hyacinth in early spring, most daffodils and fritillary in midspring, and Dutch iris and allium late in the season. Various types of tulips bloom throughout spring. Simplify planting by placing selections with different bloom times in the same hole. If your tulips arent the kind that naturalize (multiply over time, such as species tulips), place bulbs shoulder to shoulder when planting.

SIDE PHOTO KREDIT

SIDE PHOTO KREDIT

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY NAMETOKOME

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN FRANCIS

LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

CUTTINGS

SHOP SMART

Designing a Cutting Garden

This bed was planned and planted to offer a mix of blossom shades and sizes. They are numbered in order of bloom time, from early to late spring. Find bulbs for your region 4 at Lowes.
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DUTCH MASTER DAFFODIL AND MIXED DAFFODILS

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PARROT TULIP

EASY GROWING
The physical demands of gardening might keep some of us from flexing our green thumbs as often as wed like. Luckily, many of todays tools offer design features that make creating a lush landscape easier for everyone.

Planting
4 1
Greenlife Folding Seat/Kneeler (#184923) Whether its used as a bench or a kneeling pad with support handles, this cushiony contraption may keep you from struggling to stand after a long day in the garden. Long-Handle Bulb Planter (#142361) Now you can plant bulbs while standing up, so theres less strain on your body.

Watering

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Mister Landscaper Watering Kit (#191775)* Use this easy-to-install misting system to water up to eight potted plants or hanging baskets.

*Anemone actually is classified as a tuber, rather than a true bulb. Both tubers and true bulbs, as well as corms and rhizomes, are subsets of the plant group commonly referred to as bulbs, and they can be planted and treated similarly.

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Garden Claw (#83305) Ergonomic design helps you break up soil with less effort. Four possible heights allow you to fit the gadget to your frame.

SINGLE BLUE POPPY-FLOWERED ANEMONE*

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GIANT ALLIUM

PASTEL HYACINTH MIX AND WOODSTOCK COMMON HYACINTH

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Gilmour Firemans Nozzle (#228761) This gadgets lever is easy for almost anyone to operate, and the comfort-grip handle makes watering less of a chore.

Bulbs Where You Live

The flower color and blooming season are indicated after the plant name.
Southeast & West Coast
I Ice I

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OXO Good Grips Gel-e Trowel (#109355) The flexible handle absorbs pressure, while the serrated edges open bags, cut twine, and slice roots.

To find the bulbs featured in this section, visit your local Lowes Garden Center.

Follies daffodilyellow cup, white bract; early spring giant crocus selectionsmixed colors; early spring I Red Emperor tulipfiery red with black center; midspring I Blue Jacket hyacinthdeep blue; midspring I Ollioules tuliprose with white edge; mid- to late spring I Purple Sensation alliumtrue purple; mid- to late spring I Queen of Night tulipdark purple/black; late spring I Elegant Beauty Dutch irispurple; late spring

Purple Prince tuliplilac; midspring; naturalizes well Blue Jacket hyacinthdeep blue; midspring I Ollioules tuliprose with white edge; mid- to late spring I giant alliumlavender-purple; late spring to early summer
I I

Midwest
Ice Follies daffodilyellow cup, white bract; early spring giant crocus selectionsmixed colors; early spring I Queen of Night tulipdark purple/black; late spring I Ton Sur Ton** blend tulipsblue, red, pink, apricot, black/white, and white/green shades; early, mid-, and late spring I Elegant Beauty Dutch irispurple; late spring
I I
**Ton Sur Ton tulip blends consist of an average of 10 selections in complementary shades. Blends feature early-, mid-, and late-blooming selections to provide a longlasting color show.

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic

Ice Follies daffodilyellow cup, white bract; early spring Dutch Master daffodilall yellow; early to midspring I Red Emperor tulipfiery red; midspring; naturalizes well
I I

Lawn and Garden Wagon (#249436) Use this adorable cart to tote tools, soil, and plants around the yard. Fold-down sides minimize heavy lifting.

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ReelSmart Automatic Rewind Hose (#13351) Without batteries or electricity, this system quickly untangles and winds up your hose.
*Availability varies by market.

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I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y S T E V E S TA N K I E W I C Z

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN FRANCIS

LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

OUTDOOR ROOM

BEFORE

Fall offers a last hurrah for outdoor living.

Early fall is the perfect time for tackling an open-air makeover. Start now to enjoy an outdoor room throughout the season.

WARM
1

AND INVITING
The owner of this home decided that her front porch needed a pickme-up for the seasons gatherings. Our porch is large, but it had little personality, so it wasnt very inviting, she says. Most of all, she wanted to add color and comfort. A simple base palette of white, green, and grayfound in the newly painted floorcomplements the homes exterior. Furniture and accessories in warm, rich tones of red, brown, bronze, and copper evoke the shades of autumn and provide enough seating for family and friends. Now our neighbors and their children come over to play games or just to relax and enjoy the fall weather, she says. We love our porch.
P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y A R D E N WA R D

Casual Comfort
1. To create the sense of multiple rooms within a single space, portions of the porchs floor were painted to resemble rugs. For instructions and a list of materials for this project, see page 11. 2. A casual seating area with a coffee table is perfect for the whole family. Plenty of potted plants add color and texture, while allowing for easy and accessible gardening into the fall.

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OUTDOOR ROOM

Painted Porch Floor

Fall Faves
1. Bird feeders hang throughout the space. Bird watching can be fascinating and rewarding for adults as well as children, especially when theyve helped prepare the feeders. 2. A comfy glider and matching chairs give this porch the warm feel of an indoor living room. A potted fern is elevated on a plant stand to fill out the space with lush green foliage. 3. Decorative items, such as a bronze metal star and a pair of lanterns, add personality to this outdoor room. With distinctive Arts and Crafts style porch lights, the space can be enjoyed in the evening as the days grow shorter.

This simple stripe design spices up an outdoor seating area.

In summer or for a change of pace, an outdoor rug can be removed to reveal this painted design.

Good To Know
Step-by-Step
along one side and mark this point on the inner border. Repeat on the adjoining side. Mark a straight line between these two points to create a corner triangle. Measure and mark a parallel line 6 inches from the line you just drew. Continue to mark lines every 6 inches, working to the opposite corner of the rug.

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1 3 2

Sand the floor and remove dust. Clean the floor using TSP substitute cleaner. Note: A clean floor is crucial. Sweep between every step and between coats of paint, after they have dried. Prime the entire floor, and allow to dry for 2 hours. Apply two coats of the white base paint, and allow to dry for at least 24 hours. Measure and mark the outer edges of your design. (Our larger rugs are 65 x 89 inches, but this project can be adjusted to suit different spaces.) Place painters tape on the outside of this marked line. Measure in 5 inches from the outer edge, and mark this distance all the way around the rug. Starting at an inner corner, measure 8 inches

Repeat the process with the second color. Remember, when you remove the painters tape, there will be additional white stripes. Remove any remaining pencil marks with a damp cloth. Allow the design to dry for several hours, and then carefully remove the painters tape from the striped area. Tape inside the rug border you marked in Step 3. Fill the 5-inch border with at least two coats of green paint. Allow it to dry, and then carefully remove the painters tape.

Rub the edges of the painters tape with a paintbrush handle to seal the edges and prevent paint from bleeding underneath the tape.

white exterior latex primer (American Tradition by Valspar, #165219) interior/exterior latex porch and floor enamel (American Tradition by Valspar: Satin White, Light Gray, Soulful Green)
TOOLS

Lowes List
Skill level: Intermediate Rough cost estimate . . $4,320* Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,700 Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . $410 Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . $210 Rough time estimate:
1 weekend OUTDOOR FURNITURE**

bird feeders (burnished copper, #182513; Cambridge cage, #70104; glass tube, #69582) indoor/outdoor clock (#225343) bronze porch lights (#108844) pair of lanterns (#243786) metal star (#246086) medium plant stand (#157777) large plant stand (#157867)
CONTAINERS AND PLANTS

18-inch planter (#95224) 22-inch planter (#95232) assorted herbs, gardenias, boxwoods, dahlias, ferns, and pansies
*Does not include labor costs, the cost of plants, or applicable taxes, which vary by market. **Only available at Lowes.com.

Using painters tape of various widths, tape along the marked lines, randomly placing tape either on the left or right side of each marked line. Double-up tape along a few of the lines. This will create a pattern of various-size stripes. Using the small roller and extension handle, apply one color to chosen stripes. Allow to dry, and then apply additional coats to those same stripes as needed. Use an angled brush to paint any narrow stripes youve selected.

sandpaper large roller and extension handle 1 package of (4-inch) rollers (#45476) Mini Twist N Reach handle for small rollers (#256298) 1 (212-inch) angled paintbrush (#48727) paint trays drop cloth long metal ruler pencil
*Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market, or the cost of tools.

Lowes List
Skill level: Beginner Rough cost estimate: $110* Rough time estimate: 2 days
MATERIALS

Plantation Patterns, Stratton furniture (glider with cushion, 3 deep-seating chairs with cushions, end table, and coffee table, #259782)
ACCESSORIES

16-inch hanging baskets with coconut liners (#194383) 13-inch planter (#92514) 15-inch planters (#95012)

Lowes Installation Available Lowes can provide guaranteed professional installation of exterior lighting.

TSP substitute heavy-duty cleaner (#245891) painters tape (1-inch-wide, #45337; 112-inch-wide, #39896; 2-inch-wide, #53140)

indoor/outdoor rug (Balta, Savannah, #250646)

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ON THE ROAD

LONG ISLAND

NATURE LOVERS

Even on the countrys most populated island, pockets of wilderness beg to be preserved.

Good To Know
For more information about The Nature Conservancy, its membership and volunteer opportunities, plus protected habitats in your own state, visit Nature.org.

Oak woodlands are one of the diverse habitats on Mashomack Preserve.

A great blue heron forages in a valuable wetland on Long Island.

Go Native
Plant native species to help preserve local habitats.
As a gardener, you can protect natural habitats by planting trees, shrubs, and flowers that are native to your area. This helps prevent the introduction of invasive species into the environment. These plantsgenerally brought into the country from other locations can spread rapidly and crowd out native species. Second only to development, invasive species represent one of the greatest threats to native plants and the balance of delicate ecosystems. On Long Island, New York, non-native species have invaded parks, forests, and shellfish habitats. And studies show that roughly half of all invasive species on Long Island had spread from gardens and lawns. Invasives can create a monoculture where there may have been hundreds of natural species, says Kathy Schwager, invasive species specialist for The Nature Conservancy. They can change an ecosystems structure, and then wildlife doesnt have the food and cover it needs. Gardeners can help preserve natural habitats by going native, Schwager says. When visiting your local Lowes to purchase plants and trees, ask for native selections. You also can help by uprooting invasive plants or applying an herbicide to affected areas.

Sponsored in part by Lowes, a shellfish restoration project is taking place in Great South Bay.

preserve also is the original site for TNCs shellfish restoration program.

Calverton Ponds: Denis & Catherine Krusos Ecological Research Area,

Calverton Observe this breathtaking, fragile wetland

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Much of the history on Long Island, New York, speaks to Americas booming urban growth, but the area also has rich natural resources. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is committed to preserving the islands environmental treasures. Together with its partners, the organization has launched Long Islands Last Stand, a 10-year effort to save and protect its last great places.
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As a contributing partner, Lowes is sponsoring a massive shellfish restoration program in Great South Bay. Beyond their cultural and nutritional value, shellfish actually help filter and cleanse the water, and their loss upsets the balance in the bays delicate ecosystem. TNC has stocked the area with clams and spawning sanctuaries to help the onceabundant shellfish stage a comeback.

Other projects aim to protect 25,000 acres of undeveloped land, as well as 10,000 acres of agricultural property. TNC also works to preserve open spaces and water habitats, including bays and harbors. Visitors can enjoy hiking and bird watching at many of TNCs nature preserves. The following are locations on Long Island where people can take in its natural appeal.

Long Island Beauty

Pine Neck Nature Sanctuary,
East Quogue Enjoy this former 64-acre waterfront

Mashomack Preserve,
Shelter Island Hike through one of the richest habitats

ecosystemhome to several rare species of insects, fish, and amphibians.

Uplands Farm Nature Sanctuary,

Cold Spring Harbor Catch a glimpse of Long Island as it

estate. A number of birds and animals, including red-tailed hawk, osprey, and mink, call this nature preserve home. Hiking trails allow visitors a varied landscape, which includes shoreline, woodlands, and wetlands.

in the Northeast at this preserve, which covers one-third of the island. Home to one of the largest populations of nesting osprey, this former hunting club has more than 2,000 acres of various natural habitats, including coastline, marshes, and oak woodlands. This beautiful

once was with its thriving, scenic farmland. Here, you can hike trails to view meadows and woods that are home to a variety of birds and roughly 40 butterfly species.

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y E D S A M B O L I N / T H E N AT U R E C O N S E RVA N C Y

LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

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DIGGING IN

k
BEFO R E ( FA LL)

How does your garden look? Take a hint from this fall project, and youll be the envy of the block by spring.

Planted in fall, Japanese cleyera gets dressed up with dianthus in spring.

FAST FORWARD

A
To-Do List

Autumns cooler days are ideal for tackling heavier tasks such as planting and building, or simpler jobs that take only a few minutes. Instead of winding down with the weather, these homeowners set the foundation for a fabulous spring landscape. They built raised beds and planted bulbs, trees, and shrubs. Not sure how to get started on your space? Let this checklist inspire you. Try one idea, or complete them all. Come springtime, youll be glad you did.

Design

Disguise a fence or add some privacy to your yard with a shrub border. Choose selections based on light requirements and your goals. Space shrubs according to plant-tag directions; add mulch to conserve the soils moisture. Consider skirting shrubs with perennial ground covers, such as dianthus, ajuga, or lily-of-the-valley.

Prepare

For new planting beds, prep the soil now. Remove existing sod and till the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Layer manure over the tilled soil, and then add chopped leaves and twigs. (Freezing air kills exposed weed seeds and breaks down the layers.) In springbefore plantinglightly mix the layers with a cordless cultivator (shown at right: Black & Decker, #175332) or a Garden Claw (#83305).

Build

AFTER (SPRING) 14
P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y B R I A N F R A N C I S A N D PA D E N R E I C H / S P C

Add beauty and reduce back strain when gardening with a raised planting bed. Use retaining-wall blocks (shown here: Flagstone, #73455) to construct outer walls with an aged look. Fill the bed with a blend of compost and rich topsoil, and then tuck in tulip bulbs for a spring color show. For visual appeal in the meantime, interplant the bed with cool-season annuals: pansies, ornamental cabbage, or dusty miller.

Plant

Fall weather is perfect for planting trees. Consider selections that bloom in spring, such as dogwood or flowering crabapple. Planting depths depend on where the first roots emerge from the trunk. In nature, these roots are just below the soils surface. With containerized trees, remove excess soil above the roots. After planting, water and add mulch. Extend the mulch beneath the branch spread, while not letting it touch the trunk.

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DIGGING IN

Winterize

Continue cutting your grass as long as its growing. Apply a preemergent herbicide to control spring weeds. For the last mowing in northerly climates, set the blade height 1 inch below normal and use the bag attachment to collect weed seeds. Apply a winterizer to cool-season turf to improve root growth and hardiness. Overseed warm-season lawns with ryegrass for a green winter lawn.

Create

Seating can transform your garden into an outdoor living room. A raised deck offers sturdy, dry footing for furniture. Treat existing or new wooden decks with waterproofing sealants before temperatures drop. And for a patio thats easier to build yourself, position pavers or pour gravel on a large, level bed of sand.

Clean

Early autumn is a great time to add a water garden to your landscape. Check pond-skimmer baskets frequently as leaves start to fall. For ponds that are surrounded by trees, suspend a net across the surface for easy leaf removal. If you dont plan to run your water pump in the winter, wait until late fall to remove and service it. To keep the pond active in the winter, add a heater.

Sow

Plant seeds for biennial bloomers, such as foxglove, larkspur, hollyhock, bachelors button, English daisy, and dames rocket, into garden beds. Sprinkle seeds that have formed on summer annualscleome, cosmos, or four oclockinto flowerbeds.

Clip

Reduce spring tasks by snipping perennial stalks after a hard freeze. Cut the stems height by two-thirds. Leave ornamental grasses with seedheads in place for winter interest. Dont allow invasive perennials, such as goldenrod, joe-pye weed, sweet autumn clematis, or mullein, to set seed. Clip these stalks before their seeds mature.

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Imagine

Stand indoors and survey potential winter scenes in your yard. Incorporate ornamental details that will improve the view for winter, and splash decorative accents throughout spring plantings. A birdbath, an arbor, or solar lighting can add interest for every season.

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The homeowners built this small wooden deck in the fall. The area is perfect for garden gatherings during any season.

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web
FOR MORE

You can find detailed instructions for building the outdoor furniture set featured in this garden at LowesCreativeIdeas.com/ Woodworkers (Project #WFall072). To design and build the perfect deck for your open-air space, visit Lowes.com/DeckDesigner.

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D O N E I N A D AY

GARDEN CALENDAR TIPS

PRETTY LEAF COMPOSTERS

Reward yourself for raking with this bin for organic fertilizer.
To learn more about your planting zone, visit Lowes.com/ZoneMap.
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5 6

Lowes List
Skill level: Beginner Rough cost estimate (for one bin): $55* Rough time estimate: 1 day
MATERIALS

2 1 10 7 8 10 11 9 10 11

Refer to the tips below that apply to your zone.

1 (2- x 50-foot) roll of green vinyl lawn fencing (#92252) 1 (3- x 50-foot) roll of economy wire (#102025) black cable ties (#76326) 1 (2- x 15-foot) roll of wooden garden fencing (#86110)

IF YOU LIVE HERE

Zones 35
ANNUALS Replace spent annuals with cool-season pansies, ornamental kale, or sweet alyssum. Plant garden mums. Mulch beds to prevent weeds. LAWN Apply a winterizer lawn fertilizer. Spot treat broadleaf weeds, and apply a preemergent weedkiller. Aerate cool-season turf. BORDERS Add perennials and shrubs. Dwarf shrub selections are for small spaces. BULBS Plant spring-flowering bulbs. Squirrels love tulip bulbs; spray the bulbs with an organic animal repellent prior to planting, or top new plants with chicken wire for protection. LEAVES Mow fallen leaves, and then let them decompose in place. You also can add them to the compost pile. PLANTINGS Finish planting before leaves fall, except for spring bulbs. You can plant these up until the soil freezes. LAWN Continue to mow grass as long as its growing. Dont allow leaves to accumulate on lawns. PLANTINGS Mulch beds after the ground freezes. Surround fall-planted mums with a 4-inch layer of mulch. MAINTENANCE Winterize your mower. Disconnect the spark-plug wire, drain the oil and gas, clean or replace the air filter, add clean oil, and sharpen the blade.

Zones 68
BIRDS Hang different types of bird feeders for a variety of species. ROSES Fertilize roses six weeks before the last frost date. Prune rambler roses after flowering. Allow rose hips to remain on canes to provide winter forage for birds. GRASS Let clippings lie on the lawn after mowing to add nutrients to soil. Continue to irrigate turf, delivering 1 inch of water per week. GRASS Aerate lawns, and then overseed to renovate and thicken turf. Dont apply preemergent herbicides if you plan to overseed. ANNUALS Replace spent annuals with cool-season pansies or ornamental kale for winter color. Plant garden mums. Mulch beds to keep weeds in check. TROPICALS Wash tropical plants with a soap-and-water solution prior to moving plants indoors. BULBS Plant spring-flowering bulbs. Spray the bulbs with an organic animal repellent prior to planting, or top new plants with chicken wire. MULCHING Use oak leaves, pine straw, or pecan leaves around acid-loving plants, such as azalea, rhododendron, or mountain laurel. TREES Plant balled-and-burlapped and bare-root trees. Water newly planted trees with 1 inch of water per week.

Zones 911
TREES Prune trees before hurricane seasons peak months. Hire a certified arborist to trim branches hanging over power lines. WATER Test your irrigation system next month, prior to the start of the dry season. Replace broken pipes or heads. TURF Let grass clippings lie on the lawn after mowing to add nutrients to soil. Continue to irrigate turf, delivering 1 inch of water per week. FLOWERS Plant colorful coolseason annuals: pansies, ornamental kale, petunias, or sweet alyssum. Apply a bloom-booster fertilizer. FERTILIZER Feed trees, shrubs, perennials, and turf. Use an all-purpose fertilizer thats higher in nitrogen and potassium, but lower in phosphorus. EDIBLES Plant vegetable crops broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, and beans. Feed citrus trees with a citrus fertilizer. WATER Prevent fungal diseases by confining watering to early morning hours. Plants need 1 inch of water per week to thrive. BEDS Continue to plant the area with vegetables and flowering annuals, such as snapdragon and periwinkle. Snip spent caladium leaves. BULBS Plant bulbs for indoor forcing, such as amaryllis, spring tulips, grape hyacinth, or paperwhites.

gardening gloves (#184045)

TOOLS

wire cutter pliers

*Does not include applicable taxes, which vary by market, or the cost of tools.

Leaf composting works best when the pile remains moist and aerated. Turn the leaves once a month in warmer weather (less often in cooler conditions).

Step-by-Step
SQUARE BIN
1 Cut four pieces of vinyl fencing to measure 2 feet square. Join the four pieces with cable ties to form an open-ended cube (wear gloves for protection). 2 Cut a length of wooden fencing to measure slightly longer than 8 feet, and wrap

it around the cube, starting at a corner and aligning the lower edges. Crimp the wire on the wooden fencing with pliers at each corner to fit the cube. 3 Fasten the wooden fencing to the cube using cable ties. Cut off any excess pickets. 4 Secure the finished bin to the ground with stakes.

ROUND BIN
1 Cut a 6-foot-long piece of economy wire (wear gloves for protection). Overlap the ends by two rows, and then use pliers to bend the cut wires back on themselves to form a round cylinder. 2 Cut a length of wooden fencing to measure slightly longer than 6 feet. Wrap

the wooden fencing around the cylinder, aligning the lower edges. 3 Use cable ties to secure the wooden fencing to the cylinder. Trim off any excess pickets. 4 Secure the finished bin to the ground with stakes.

NOV E M B E R

O C TOB E R

Good To Know

S E PTE M B E R

biodegradable stakes (DuPont, #59978)

By relying on regional and local growers, Lowes is able to provide you with selections that are best suited to your climate. The plants mentioned may not always be available at your local Lowes, but your Lowes Trained Nursery Specialist will help you find comparable selections. And if your perennials, houseplants, trees, or shrubs dont survive a year, bring the plants and your receipt in to your local Lowes, and theyll be replaced at no charge.

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Outdoor Living

FA L L 2 0 0 7

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN FRANCIS

LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

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JUST IN

Enhance your space with these

stylish new bird feeders, designed to complement outdoor furniture and accessories from Lowes.
L

Cool Copper

(#256720) This piece works with wicker furniture for a relaxed look and holds almost 212 pounds of birdseed.

(#256721) A metal roof and crackled glass can add an elegant touch. This feeder holds about 4 pounds of seed.

Finch L Feeder
(#256862) The acorn shape suits any natural outdoor setting with its copper roof and perch. It holds almost 3 pounds of birdseed.

FOR THE BIRDS

Island Inspired