Fall Planting Pointers

Compost the leaves.

Fertilize organically.  

When preparing your soil for next year, add organic, slow-release fertilizers that will help enhance your soil over time. These fertilizers are made of natural materials, contain vital nutrients to help your plants grow, and prevent plants from getting nitrogen. Most garden stores today carry a wide variety of organic fertilizers; many catalog companies also sell organic products.

Plant trees.

By the time autumn rolls around, summer heat waves are long past, rainfall is usually more plentiful, and new trees, bushes and flowers have a greater chance of surviving than they would if they were planted during a hotter season. Choose species native to your area as well as those that are drought and pest resistant and can grow in the kind of soil and amount of sunlight available on your property.

Other ideas.

If you have a vegetable or fruit garden that you want to maintain throughout the winter, consider planting root bulbs and leafcrops that will continue to produce despite the colder weather. This will work in many regions of the country, but some places might still be too cold. Building a greenhouse or a hot beds to cultivate your veggies could keep the fresh food coming throughout the winter!

Can't sustain your crops through the winter? Find local farms that do. There are Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs and farmer's markets in many cities and towns that allow farmers to sell their locally grown, fresh food all year long!

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• Tihonet Village Market "Bog Fright Night Weekend" Oct 21-23 from 6-8:30pm. Scary wagon rides run through the wooded bogs! $5 prepaid, $7 at event. Reservations highly recommended. Advance tickets to secure a ride on the desired night call 2-6, 508-295-5437. www.tihonetvillagemarket.com 
• Nature Trail & Cranberry Bog Behind Bass Pro Shops, Patriot Place, Foxboro.  Half mile scenic walking trail open daily from dawn to dusk. Trail features a wide variety and high concentration of wildlife and plant life.  Free!
• Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular @ Roger Williams Park Zoo Oct 6-31 from 6-10pm Nightly rain or shine. Sun-Thurs $12 Adults, $10 Seniors, $9 Children (Ages 3-12) , Under 3 FREE. Fri, Sat, Sun nights $14 Adults, $12 Seniors, $11 Children (ages 3-12), Under 3 FREE.
• National Cranberry Festival Oct 15 & 16 from 10am-5pm, Edaville Railroad, 7 Eda Ave, Carver MA. Handicap Access. Admission included all rides & attractions, free parking. Watch the cranberry harvest from the train, food, crafts & entertainment. $18 Adults and Kids, $16 Seniors 508-866-8190  www.edaville.com
• Cranberry Harvest Celebration Oct 8 & 9 from 10am- 4pm. A.D. Makepeace Co, 158 Tihonet Rd. Wareham, 508-295-1000. Admission $2. under 7 Free. Watch the cranberry harvest, talk to the growers, children's activities, helicopter, pony & wagon rides. Crafters, Food & live entertainment.
• Clyde's Cider Mill 129 N. Stonington Rd, Old Mystic, Ct 1-860-536-3354 Open daily 9-6.  A visit to Clyde's is like stepping back in time.  Come see the only steam powered cider mill in the US. Come visit for Cider making & demos Sat & Sun  11am, 1pm & 3 pm. Apples, gourds, pumpkins, Indian corn, pumpkin bread, donuts & cider! 

• Orpheum Theater Haunted House Scary Tours Oct 1-30  Fri & Sat 7-10pm, Kid Friendly Tours Sundays 1-3  $12 Scary Tours,  $5 Kiddie Tour  508-543-2787 x4
• Providence Ghost Tour 7PM Prospect Terrace, Congdon St.. Walking ghost and haunted history tour of the East Side of Providence, featuring ghosts, murders, suicides, fired and unfortunate gruesome accidents! Tickets:$15 in advance or $18 in person. www.providenceghosttour.com for info & tickets. Our tour goes along steep/uneven streets of Providence, comfortable walking shoes are very important.
• Plymouth Twilight Lantern Ghost Tour Oct 31 2 hours, See what spirits lurk in the dark! Family fun (Nothing jumps out) Bring your camera & capture spirits on film! Meet at Water St, at the Black Hearse near Plymouth Rock. 508-866-5111 or visit www.deadofnighttours.com  
• Haunted Happenings in SALEM  Oct 1-31. Welcome revelers of all ages and interest. Over 140 attractions , Events & Venues. Costumes encouraged!    www.hauntedhappenings.org    877-725-3662 pick up official guide at Business & Information Center.
• Ghosts & Legends Lantern Tour  8pm Daily. Featuring incredible stories of blood, gore, and ghosts. 90 minute walking tour, relive Plymouths haunted history, discover legendary Burial Hill and much more. $12 Adults, $10 Children (ages 6-16) and Seniors. http://lanterntours.com/ghosts.htm