The rain and wind last week have blown off just about every leaf from the oaks, ash and shagbark hickories that line our road.  It's going to be a long winter. 

On the bright side, the trees and shrubs—especially any needle-leaved plants—will have sufficient moisture around their roots going into winter. And while most of the leaves have fallen, the hydrangeas are trying very hard to hold on to their dried petals. Some more rain and one or two light snowfalls are sure to send these dried flowers of 'Little Lamb' hydrangea to the ground. 

Bring on those seed catalogs.   

—Nina Koziol