At Gale’s Westlake We Keep You Growing! With Tips from On-Staff Experts “Believe it or not, the extreme weather we’ve had this year is a great tool for planning next year’s garden. Take a good look around at the trees and shrubs that have out-performed the rains and have come out looking great. Many roses and ornamentals might be under scrutiny for varieties more resistant to the usual setback associated with such weather. We, too, have been doing our homework to bring more disease and insect resistant plants into our garden center and will be happy to share our findings with you.“ - Rick Miralia, Master Ohio Certified Nursery Technician, Nursery Department Head. “With summer behind us and temperatures getting cooler, it’s time to think about fall plantings. Most annuals are on their way out or already gone but can be replaced with some wonderful alternatives. Proven Winners offers both annuals and perennials for containers and landscaping. Icicle Pansies are cold hardy and will bloom all fall, over winter, and bloom again early through next spring. Don’t forget about hardy mums and for something a little on the unusual side, consider flowering cabbage and kale.” - Tracy Stier, Master Ohio Certified Nursery Technician, Greenhouse Staff “As the ornamental grasses lose their luster remember the wonderful movement they provide in the stark winter landscape. Cutting them back before spring would be a loss of this great asset to your garden.” - David Farr, Master Ohio Certified Nursery Technician, Nursery Staff “Winter is approaching so it is time to protect your roses and evergreens. Cut your roses back to 10-12” from the ground and put a rose collar on them. It also helps to fill the rose collar loosely with mulch. Do not use pine mulch for roses. For evergreens, one would want to spray them with Wilt Proof which is an antidessicant. Begin protecting your roses and evergreens in late October or early November.” - Jerry O’Brien, Ohio Certified Nursery Technician, Nursery Staff