It was such a pleasure hosting The Point Garden Club's September meeting this past Tuesday. Just a few months old, the club brings together gardening enthusiasts wanting to hone their green thumbs and give their property and gardens a personal touch.
In the September meeting, the Garden Club's founding member, Kelly O'Donnell led a discussion on plantings and harvesting throughout the Autumn months for our zone, 7A. Here are a few of her tips.
September
September- Plant winter pansies and fall annuals such as calendula, ornamental cabbage, English daisies, and snapdragons.
- Plant spring bulbs like peonies; divide bearded irises, peonies, and other spring and summer blooming perennials.
- Plant barefoot trees and shrubs
- Prune raspberry and blackberry bushes
- The cool weather vegetable garden: Plant lettuce, arugula, cilantro, peas, kale, beets, spinach, onions, and garlic.
October
- Plant ornamental grasses
- Plant winter and spring blooming bulbs
- Plant container roses
- Plant balled-and-burlapped or container trees, shrubs, and vines
- Prune fall flowers and shrubs just after bloom
- Sow seeds for frost-tolerant perennials, such as coneflower, coralbells, catmint, lily of the valley, and hosts
- Fertilize all shrubs
November
- Harvest potato and yam crop (Halloween Day is also a fun day to do this!)
- Plant ornamental trees such as dogwood and magnolia
- Cover perennial, vegetable, bulb, and strawberry beds for winter
- Replace mulch under rose bushes. (Do not prune roses until late February or March. Pruning should be done right before new leaf growth begins in the spring.)
After the more formal garden club talk, we had a little fun making and sampling a few herb-infused oils and cocktails.
The fall herb garden is one of my favorites. Not only do I love digging in the dirt in the crisp Autumn air, but fall herbs are typically very hardy, drought-tolerant and easy to grow (Perfect for the novice gardener and the climate common in the Central Piedmont).
From minty thyme, woodsy rosemary and oregano, and grassy sage, these aromatic herbs bring out the best of classic Autumn dishes, and drinks. With the help of a few of our favorite products, we infused, muddled, and smashed up the flavors of fall.
Herb-Infused Olive Oil
Nothing awakens a dish and drives home the "Want better, not more" idea more than a drizzle of fruity extra-virgin olive oil. Adding fresh herbs, citrus peel, or even peppercorns gives the oil a little zing and is incredibly easy to make at home. We prepared ours with a snip of rosemary in our clip-top, glass Kilner bottles. With their decorative seal, they not only keep the oil fresh, but make a thoughtful hostess gift.
Ready to warm up with an Autumn cocktail? Outfit your home bar with our cocktail essentials, then try one (or all three!) of my favorites. We have a feeling you'll fall hard for these, too!
Apple & Gin Autumn Cocktail
Let's start with a fall favorite - apples! Crisp, tart, fresh-pressed apple cider pairs perfectly with a warm and sweet honey syrup, sour citrus juice, woodsy and barky cinnamon, and a top-shelf gin. Go with our personal favorite - Aviation Gin - which includes the botanicals juniper, coriander, lavender, cardamom, Indian sarsaparilla, and orange peel. This drink is so smooth and delicious, you'll be savoring it right through Thanksgiving.
Plum & Thyme Prosecco Smash
Next, we moved on to a large batch cocktail. By using a fruity prosecco, this one is perfect for both brunch and an evening party. I showed off our American Heirloom wood muddler to crush the plum, releasing their sweet juices and that gorgeous color.
Rosemary Maple Bourbon Smash
Finally, all guys love bourbon, but ladies, you'll be the coolest girl at your next get-together if you show up with a Mason Shaker filled with this smoky-sweet boozy beverage. Get the recipe and read about the inspiration behind this drink here.
Outfit your home bar this Autumn. Browse our favorite goods in the shop or shop the collection online.
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