Are you frustrated with the demise of your landscape? If yes, you are not alone. From the rain forests of south-east Alaska to the deciduous forests of the Mid-Atlantic region, climatic shifts occur challenging all to create sustainable landscape gardens.

Fall the Optimal Planting Season –

      For more than 20 years, the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) promoted fall as a ‘second season’ for landscape garden sales but due to ongoing climate shifts, presently for most regions, fall is not simply a ‘second season’ sales opportunity but the optimal plant installation season. As a result, the Greater Richmond Area (GRA), through partnering of regional eco colleagues, launched an eco educational campaign – fall is for planting - urging consumers and Industry alike to make fall their optimal plant installation season. Why?

During the fall, fewer pests and disease problems occur, increased amounts of rainfall and cooler temperatures create an ideal environment for plant development; and while there are cooler temperatures, the soil remains warm encouraging root growth which continues during the winter season. Specifically, providing for plant roots, the opportunity of seven to nine months in which to develop prior to experiencing the hot humid ‘dog days’ of summer.

About the Wright Scoop -

     As recipient of the ‘Turning America from Eco-weak to Eco-chic’ award sponsored by Hines Horticulture, Project Evergreen and Today’s Garden Center magazine, I encourage use of green-scaping concepts: build and maintain healthy soil, install right plant for site requirements; and during seasonal appropriate cycles, be water wise, adopt earth-friendly pest and weed management, implement natural lawn care and install plants during least climate stress conditions. “The Wright Scoop,” says Washington Gardener magazine reviewer Edna Troiano, “Sylvia Hoehns Wright’s book, From Eco-weak to Eco-chic: landscape green, offers readers guidelines for joining the green revolution in their own yards. Becoming eco-chic, she explains, is primarily a matter of “working with instead of against an area’s natural environment” to create sustainable, eco-friendly landscapes. To read more, link to review - http://blog.thewrightscoop.com/2011/04/28/from-eco-weak-to-eco-chic-landscape-green---book-review.aspx  or Sylvia’s Store - http://stores.lulu.com/syhwright .

Fall Landscape Garden Activities –

    As a woodland gardener, I’m presently evaluating my gardens. Basically, if an area hosts annual plants, I mow spent plants and enrich the soil with compost. If the area hosts bulb plantings, I install a protective blanket of mulched leaves and other woodland debris. And, if perennial and/or shrub bed areas, I check for volunteer or plants that need to be thin-out. Later, during the fall rain cycle – which for my area is late September, I move the identified plants to more spacious areas. So, when leaf color changes, shift your focus to lawn renewal, renovation of existing landscape gardens or plant installation. And, when you see local vendors display their ‘fall is for planting’ signage, be aware it is not simply a ‘second season’ sales opportunity but the optimal plant installation season!

As recipient of the Turning America from Eco-weak to Eco-chic Award, I urge all to ‘plant more plants’ www.plantmoreplants.com , move their life-styles from eco-weak to eco-chic – ‘green’ life’s garden, one scoop at a time!

Side-bar: Wed. Sept 14 - Oct 5, 6:30-9:00 p.m. workshop 065: Landscape/Garden Design for the Hands-on-Homeowner, register with www.henrico.k12.va.us/adulteducation, text: Eco-weak to Eco-chic: landscape green, details contact 804-328-4095.