LITTLE ROCK — Pumpkins and gourds are everywhere and can give instant color when used as landscape decorations. If you choose blemish-free fruits with a bit of stem attached, they can last all fall.
If you plan to carve a pumpkin for Halloween, wait until the day before and be prepared to toss it soon after. Once cut, they deteriorate rapidly.
If you had the energy to plant a fall garden, you know we have greens, lettuce and squash coming on strong. There have even been fall peppers and tomatoes.
If you do have fall vegetables, watch for insects.
Grasshoppers and cabbage loopers can do a number on your plants quickly.
If you have been growing sweet potatoes, consider starting to harvest. Otherwise, be sure to do so as soon as a frost occurs; they don’t like cold weather and will quickly rot.
As you finish harvesting, clean up your garden. Then add a good layer of shredded leaves or compost to discourage winter weeds, or consider planting a cover crop.
Have your soil tested now to determine what needs to be done next season.
HomeStyle, Pages 39 on 10/23/2010