SEPTEMBER IS COMPOST'S SECRET WEAPON

Greens and browns fall into place.

Cool nights keep the pile alive.

By spring it is garden gold.

Skip it now and you wait till April.

👉 Why September Is The Best Month for Composting​

THE LAST BUG BINGE OF THE YEAR

Something is piercing fruit right as it ripens.

Leaves are being chewed into ragged lace overnight.

Your pots are turning into secret storage units.

The garden looks calm, but it’s under attack.

👉 Pests That Go Wild in September (And How to Stop Them!)​

PLANT OF THE DAY: WHIRLING BUTTERFLIES

🪴 Latin Name: Gaura lindheimeri (also known as Whirling Butterflies)
🌿 Plant Type: Perennial wildflower
🌞 Light Needs: Full sun to light shade
💧 Watering: Moderate once established, tolerates some drought
🌡️ Temperature/Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
🌱 Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
📏 Typical Size: 2–4 feet tall, airy spread of 2–3 feet
🎨 Appearance: Tall, wiry stems topped with delicate white-to-pink flowers that flutter like tiny butterflies in the breeze

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Fun Fact: Gaura’s common name, “Whirling Butterflies,” comes from the way its blooms sway and shimmer, looking like a cloud of insects dancing above the plant.

Growing Tip: Deadhead regularly to keep flowers coming from spring all the way into fall. Cutting stems back by half in midsummer can prevent them from flopping and encourage bushier growth.

Bonus: Gaura is a magnet for bees and butterflies but mostly ignored by deer and rabbits — a rare win-win in the garden.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The soil never forgets kindness — every bit of care is returned in bloom."

GARDEN GEMS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

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Don’t Skip Cover Crops if You Want a Better Spring​
Give your soil a rest and a boost at the same time — fall cover crops set you up for a stronger spring.​
👉 Why Cover Crops Are the Smartest Fall Move​

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10 Invasive Plants That Wreak Havoc​
​ These troublemakers spread fast, choke out natives, and can ruin a garden if left unchecked.
👉 10 Invasive Plants That Wreak Havoc in U.S. Gardens​

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The Real Difference Between Perlite Vermiculite and Pumice​
Not all white specks in soil are the same — here’s how to know which one your plants actually need.​
👉 The Real Difference Between Perlite Vermiculite and Pumice​

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Build Rich Soil Without Ever Touching a Shovel​
​ Layered soil building is the lazy gardener’s dream — and it produces rich beds without tilling.​
👉 Lasagna Gardening Works Even If You Can’t Cook​

THE CLEANUP MISTAKE THAT HURTS SPRING

A spotless garden feels satisfying.

But the “clutter” is shelter and food.

Clear it too soon and life disappears.

Leave a little mess and reap the reward.

👉 The Fall Cleanup Mistakes That Wreck Wildlife​