Frost Asters

The frost aster, or Aster pilosus, is a native perennial plant in the Bluegrass Region. It can grow up to 3½' tall. An individual stem has few branches and are spindly, but mature plants often send up multiple stems that create a shrubby appearance. The stems are initially green with lines of small white hairs, but they often turn brown and become bare of leaves with age. The tiny white hairs on the leaves provide a frost-like appearance.

The flowering stems are long with needle-like leaves, and they are held up or horizontal to the ground. The daisy-like compound flowers are yellow, later becoming reddish, which are surrounded by ray florets that are white, rarely light pink or purple. This aster has no noticeable floral scent. The seeds have small tufts of white or brownish hairs, which are distributed by the wind, and the root system is initially fibrous.

Frost masters  grow best in full sun and dry conditions; they are very drought tolerance. This plant can thrive in loam, clay, or gravelly material. The Frost Aster is easy to grow, but can spread aggressively by re-seeding itself. Because of the long multiple stems, the flowers appear to be floating in the air.

13 reasons to love autumn

Here are my 13 reasons to love autumn:

1.) Pumpkins, squash and gourds - oh my! These fruits are the quintessential signs of autumn. They show in in yard decorations, children's carvings and delicious meals. Nothing says autumn like the bright orange pumpkins, multi-colored gourds, and textural squash.

2.) Beautiful autumn leaves - after pumpkins, the natural splendor of autumn leaves ushers in the arrival of cooler days and longer nights. Red, orange, yellow and brown - these are the gifts of nature to the season of giving.

3.) Crisp cool air - There is nothing better than waking to a morning where light frost coats everything in sight, leaving the air cool and crisp with the first hints of what's to come. I am not a summer person, so I rejoice in the cooler mornings that come with the autumn.

4.) Juicy apples and pears picked fresh from the trees -What could be a better banquet from nature? Although my apple and pear trees are extremely old, they still produce enough fruit to satisfy my family. Apple butter, pear butter, apple-pear preserves, apple sauce - all these yummy treats are awaiting in a basketful of fruit.

5.) Spider webs dancing in the early morning dew - Although spiders aren't one of my favorite creatures, I relish the beautiful webs they weave. And there is nothing prettier than dew collecting on autumn webs, making an artistic statement to the world.

6.) Fodder shocks (corn stalks) - Either standing in a field or decorating a front yard, one sure sign of autumn are the mighty corn stalks. Tall and majestic, they provide decoration as well as food for the coming winter.

7.) Bonfires or camp fires in the backyard - Is there anything better than a warm bonfire on a cold autumn night? Huddling with family and friends and reliving the events of the summer past, this activity goes hand in hand with roasting marshmallows or hotdogs, even popcorn fresh from a corn stalk.

8.) Cattails - Although a nuisance to many a farmer, cattails make wonderful fall decorations, lasting well into the winter. Tall and spiky - and even a bit fluffy when the cattail is way past bloom - the elegance of cattails goes with any decorating scheme.

9.) Chrysanthemums - Orange, red, brown, yellow, white, rust - there are so many different colors for the autumn mums, and each one is just as beautiful as the next. Chrysanthemums are THE flower of autumn.

10.) Indian Corn - For as long as I can remember, I have always had Indian corn hanging on my front door as a sign of the welcoming autumn. These multicolor kernels fit with any fall arrangements.

11.) Damp, rainy days - I may be the only one, but I love damp, rainy days. I like the way the air feels cool and damp, I like the way the raindrops glisten on the autumn leaves, and I feel like I'm at one with the elements.

12.) Candles - When the air turns cooler, I start burning candles; they give the home a warm, cozy feeling. I prefer the lighting that candles give off, making everything appear romantic and homey.

13.) Candy Corn - Although I don't like candy corn, this is my hubby's favorite, so I always associate it with autumn. There is just something about these sugary candies that gets him in the mood.

 *Photos from Google Images

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Having Fun in Autumn

It’s the beginning of autumn in the Bluegrass Region and the woods are bustling with activity as both animals and plants prepare for winter. Children delight in the seasonal happenings, as all of nature gets ready for the onset of cold weather. Whether you live in the city or the country, set aside a day to explore the woods with the children in your life – observe area wildlife, collect fallen leaves and enjoy the brisk temperatures this time of year brings.

Check with your local parks and recreation department for any area nature preserves; protected acreage generally has trails to walk on and often provides information on local wildlife and plants you are apt to see. In Lexington there is Raven Run Wildlife Sanctuary and the Lexington Arboretum, in Frankfort is the Salato Wildlife Preserve and in Harrodsburg is the walking trails of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.

**Reminder – before entering any wooded area children and adults should always wear bright colors and carry a compass.**

Children and adults who enter the woods quietly will be reward as they become a part of this busy world not often seen by humans. Stop every so often along your journey; you may be fortunate enough to see:

• Squirrels busily darting back and forth, their cheeks comically bulging with nuts, seeds and betties.
• Wild turkeys foraging for acorns on the ground
• Birds and animals greedily feasting on wild berries ripening on the bushes
• Bees hastily sipping the last bit of nectar from blossoms
• Wasps busily preparing for the next generation, leaving egg galls on the limbs of tree.
• Monarch butterflies gliding by on their way south
• Geese honking greetings to each other as they migrate to warmer climates; their signature flight patterns making a black “V” in the sky
• And in many parts of the country, you may be lucky enough to see a bald eagle soaring through the sky

Kentucky's state flower

There are about 100 species of Solidago, Goldenrod, in North America, with 30 being native to the Bluegrass region. Most Goldenrod can mostly be found in the meadows and pastures, along roads, ditches and waste areas of Kentucky.

Because of its bright, golden yellow flower heads blooming in late summer, Goldenrod is often unfairly blamed for causing hay fever in humans. The pollen causing these allergy problems is mainly produced by Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.), blooming at the same time as the goldenrod. Ragweed is wind-pollinated; Goldenrod pollen is too heavy and sticky to be blown far from the flowers, and is thus mainly pollinated by insects. However, handling of Goldenrod and other flowers, however, can cause allergic reactions, leading some florists to change occupation.

Goldenrods are easily recognized by their golden flower heads with hundreds of small blossoms. They have slender stems, usually hairless and can grow to a length between 1 1/2 and 5 feet. The leaves are linear with margins that are finely to sharply serrated.

Propagation of Goldenrod is by seed or by underground rhizomes. The rhizomes form patches that are actually vegetative clones of a single plant and are recommended if you want a true clone of a specific variety. Goldenrod seeds can sometimes give you a different variety of plant because of cross-pollination.

Medicinal Uses: A specific variety, Solidago virgaurea, is used as a traditional kidney tonic. It is used by practitioners of herbal medicine as an agent to counter inflammation and irritation of the kidneys when bacterial infection or stones are present. Other Goldenrods have also been used as part of a tincture to aid in cleansing of the kidney/bladder during a healing fast, in conjunction with Potassium broth and specific juices.

**Trivia: Inventor Thomas Edison experimented with Goldenrod to produce rubber because of the naturally occurring rubber-properties.

Fall is in the Air

Hello, Autumn! It took you long enough to get here!

I'm one of those people who get more creative when the weather is cooler. Most people like sunny, bright days - I love cloudy dark days. Projects and stories are flowing through my brain and all I have to do is harness one of them and I'm off and running.

Of course, along with the cooler weather is the fact that Christmas is just around the corner - seems to sneak up on me faster and faster the older I get. I swear, there must be faeries in the house shaking my hourglass because time gets away from me in the blink of an eye.

I'm strapping on my roller skates and taking a deep breath - I know it's going to be a bumpy ride, but I want to enjoy as much of it as possible.

See ya on the other side ...