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The Monday Garden, November 21, 2004, Issue 139
Eco-gardening at its best
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There are a couple of magic hiking days in New England, right after the leaves first fall but before it gets too cold to be outside for an extended period. The magic comes from the sudden revelation of the "bones" of the forest. All summer, thick leaves have hidden the trees' upper trunks and branches; the forest floor is so dark that you need a flash to take photos even on the sunniest days. Suddenly, the leafy curtain is gone and the light comes in.

Picture: Bartlett Arboretum woodland path Nov. 2004

To enjoy this time, last Friday, I set out for a hike through the woods at the Stamford's Bartlett Arboretum with two friends, both Master Gardeners, one a Master Gardener mentor and Arboretum woodland guide. (How lucky can you get?) So here's what we saw:

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WALK : SEPTEMBER 2005
September 18, 2005, Issue 179

By mid summer, the forest canopy closes over the woodland floor, blocking so much light that it’s hard to take photos without a flash; most of the spring wildflowers go dormant until next year. Color comes from an endless array of fungi, ferns and moss, accented by a ripening berry here and there. From late August through last week’s Equinox, the woods are wonderful: the gnats and mosquitoes have thinned out, the temperature and humidity are down a bit (usually) but the still-green forest canopy keeps the forest dark even at noon; the forest’s summer treasures are still on view but the walk is much more comfortable.

In the meadow, along the shore, in the forest glades, and along forest edge, where sun hits the ground, asters, goldenrod, sun flowers, and grasses preview fall's color and texture.

Picture: Goldenrod at Cove Beach, Autumnal Equinox 2005. There are something like 125 kinds of goldenrod in North America; this one might be a seaside goldenrod but it would take an expert to be sure.

Picture: wild sunflower along the Mill River, Stamford, CT 2004