October 2025
From the Garden
October 2025
“There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October”
―Nathaniel Hawthorne
"After the keen still days of September, the October sun filled the world with mellow warmth...The maple tree in front of the doorstep burned like a gigantic red torch. The oaks along the roadway glowed yellow and bronze. The fields stretched like a carpet of jewels, emerald and topaz and garnet. Everywhere she walked the color shouted and sang around her." — Elizabeth George Speare, The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Are you one that has been dreaming of Fall: crisp nights, sweater weather, falling leaves, pumpkin spice everything? I have been long now hearing friends waxing poetic about their favorite season, that is, the spooky season (for some) and the end of the relentless heat that this Summer gave us. Fall is the break we all need and crave.
I’m personally ready for cooler days, layers that I can peel off when the days get warm, and time spent on indoor projects, like cleaning up and reworking our growing tunnels, adjacent to the Cutting Garden. Stormy days spent inside poring through my seed catalogs and storage, setting up my growing plans, ordering seeds, and tucked into my cozy Greenhouse starting seeds that will produce all the beauty and bounty in 2026. Not to mention soups, stews and casseroles, cozy, comfort foods that are one of the best things about cold days.
Each year, we have “new” projects, things that need to be reworked or revamped, and perhaps upgraded. On the docket is our Potager, which is our original garden for all things food-related: vegetables, herbs, fruits, and plants that attract pollinators to guarantee maximum success in a smaller area. My goal with this area is to have a beautiful greenhouse space overlooking the pond, to tuck inside for beautiful meals around a long table, hosting more intimate workshops, and using the space as a teaching laboratory for those that are interested in edible gardening in raised beds, containers, smaller spaces. We can pump quite a bit of food out of that area, and the intention moving forward is to have that food head straight into an on-site kitchen to provide the ingredients for farm-fresh meals and catered events. I crave this so much, I can almost taste it, and so will you, for we could also host cooking and preservation classes. I’ve yearned for making this property be a hub for all things Garden for so long, please consider sending me ideas (see below: A Sneak Peek at 2026) via email at: info@laughinggoatfarm.com. I’d love to hear from you, and all ideas are welcome!
In this Newsletter
- Fall is the Best for Planting
- A Sneak Peek at 2026
- Articles of Interest
- Work Parties in the Garden
- Garden Walk: October
- Tulip Planting Party
- Dahlia Dividing Workshop
- The Garden Shop
- Plant/Container Plant of the Month
- Recipes for Fall
- Fall Book Line-up
- September Round-Up
- Sustainable Home & Garden
- October Garden Tasks
Fall is the Best for Planting
I stand by that Fall is hands down the best time for Planting, and this wouldn’t be a Journal entry if I didn’t tell you all the ways and how, I know this to be true. While I happily sling plants in the ground year-round (maybe not always so happy in the dry and intense heat of summer) I do think Fall is superior, with our mild weather, almost certain rainfall to help plant roots happily settle in, and a long dormant period (winter) for roots to establish below-ground, ready to spring forth healthy and ready-to-go for Spring and Summer.
I like my plants to focus energies into the part of cycle that helps give them the best chance for a vigorous and robust growing season. While plant roots will go dormant, which typically results in a cessation or slowing of growth, the typical threshold roots can actively grow is 32 - 41 degrees, and our PNW winters happen to be mild enough to keep them in a period of growth, even if slow.
Selfishly, Fall happens to be a great time for me personally to plant, as we have slowed down our activities, we have what feels like ample time looming ahead before the busy season (Spring) and its just a nicer time overall to be working outside.
This is also the time of year I start looking to tidying things up. They always say Spring Cleaning, but around these parts, anything loose has to be put away before those infamous Enumclaw winds start rolling through and the property looks like the set of The Wizard of Oz. I like to go into a new season all fresh and restocked, so as I put things away, toss broken items not able to be repaired, and get organized, I take inventory of what we are low or out of stock on, and start planning orders to get filled up on what we need for the busy season ahead. Hose wands and hoses that are worse for wear from a season of being dragged around, untangled, driven over, dropped and goodness knows what other trouble they manage to get into will be repaired, if possible, and tossed if not.
A Sneak Peek: 2026
I’m setting a goal to include within our calendar multiple events each month that appeal to more than just Flower Lovers, as I think there is nothing more special than introducing Gardens to neophytes. Think Food Festivals, Antiques Fair, Concerts, and more. To that end, I’m looking into producing more opportunities that incorporate our beautiful Garden spaces with vendors, artists, artisans, craftspeople, etc. that are looking to partner in a unique setting to bring more authentic and bespoke events to our community. Please send me any ideas you may have!
Each month, I’d like to have our Garden walks, including adding evenings for those that want that magical dusky light that bathes our Garden in a stunning glow before the Sun beds herself each night. I’m embellishing on our Garden Work Parties with a “club” that will focus on our Cut Flower Field, and include education and instruction on everything from harvesting, conditioning, and even drying flowers. I want to bring in more Floral Design Artists that host workshops on teaching and guiding our students through specific skills in floristry, focusing on Sustainability and Gardens.
We are planning to bring back some of our more popular Peony Festival Events, like our Peony Sip & Stroll, and I’m hoping to entice Steve to do some Photography Walks, as that is a special skill he possesses. We are swimming in ideas, and opportunities, and just need participation to make it all happen. Will you join us?
UPCOMING (mark your Calendars!)
Dance Classes! - adding monthly group classes for both singles and couples. Learn how to dance with us in our historic barn loft, as we work towards hosting social events, keeping our bodies moving and our brains engaged through the colder, darker season.
Campanula Pink Octopus - plants from the Garden, now potted up and available in our Garden Shop all of October
Hollyhocks (Double) - will arrive mid-October and be available in our open Garden Shop Saturday, October 25 (open from 10-2)
Ailsa Craig Onion Bundles - will arrive late February - mid-March, in time for planting
Dahlia Tubers - we will once again be offering our Dahlia tubers, grown on site, for sale, in our Garden Shop. They will be listed online for local customers (Washington state only) and can either be shipped or arrange a pick-up.
Delphinium - it looks like the ever popular Highlander series is sold out this year, but I may be bringing in some other varietals to mix things up. Stay tuned.
Lisianthus - I have specialty plants available to the Flower Grower trade, that I’m bringing in, and will have extra plants to pop out in our Garden Shop. These are not available by seed (and take forever to grow from seed if you dare try) but are excellent cut flowers. Coming early March.
Peony Plants - checking on our order from 2 years ago, for availability. It has been cancelled 2 seasons in a row for grower issues, and I’m working hard to bring these stunning Itoh plants in to offer at our Garden Shop.
French antiques - we will be going to Paris on a buying trip to find unique goods for the garden and home this winter. Sourcing special items that can be used in flowering, and on the table, and available in our Garden Shop.
Charity Garden Tour - we are teaming up with 3-4 local-ish Gardens that have agreed to open their private spaces for our ticketed guests for a late Spring Garden tour. All proceeds (minus fees/taxes) will go directly to our 2 participating local charities: Puget Sound Goat Rescue and South Sound Snip & Tip, who will both be on site at Laughing Goat with goat babies and kittens to visit, and even adopt. If you are a vendor interested in setting up on site with us for the day, and helping out local charities, please email me at info@laughinggoatfarm.com to discuss.
Articles of Interest
In 11 Native Perennials for a Late Summer Tangle of Flowers these blooms are the final hurrah of the season we transition from Summer into Fall, and will have you embracing this magical shoulder season for the beauty and bounty it can provide.
In planning ahead for your next season’s planting plans, as you are pouring through seed and plant catalogs, and sorting out how many of all the things you need to have, Calculate the Size of your Garden Bed will help you figure out your spacing to make ordering and planting a snap. There’s even a handy Garden bed calculator, that includes rectangle, triangle and circle - how great is that?
If you fancy a trip to France, Sharon Santoni of My French Country Home has some great ideas for places to see, in The Most Beautiful Gardens to Visit in Autumn in France. I’m delighted to see we have visited 3 on the list, including one of my favorites, Le Jardin Plume which is beautiful any time of year.
Seed banks are vital repositories for valuable collections, including species that are going extinct in their native habitats. Many botanical gardens work with agencies to preserve plants, and seeds, such as The Botanical Gardens at Wakehurst and its Millenium Seed Bank
The Emerald Ash Borer is a devastating invasive pest that is decimating ash trees on a large scale, has been found at 6 sites in Oregon where agencies are establishing quarantine zones in hopes to mitigate the spread. This type of work is made possible through each state’s Agriculture Departments, who do critical work in preservation, management, and safeguarding through control of plants, insects, and food items in and out of state borders.
Many gardeners know the name Karl Foerster because of the grasses named after him, but who was he? Learn about the man behind the plant, which has become ubiquitous in our environments and Gardens. Don’t worry! It’s not invasive, and his story is interesting and inspiring.
In Curb Appeal Before & After: Multiseason Foundation Planting a planter box becomes raised bed, window box and foundation planting all in one. With detailed instructions on how this came to be, including key plants used, this is a fun inspiration piece for creating a Garden in a narrow space.
Friend and Fellow Gardener, plus owner of Garden Revelry shares the best plants for Fall containers that wow gives some great tips on filling your planters with some great plant picks for Fall. I love that she uses Bergenia even though it is considered an “old-fashioned” plant, as it is a perennial favorite of mine, and will always have a place in our Gardens.
Work Parties in the Garden - October
Our last Garden Work Party of 2025 will take place on Saturday, October 4th, from 9:30am to 11:00am. The kind ladies who have been helping me out with various tasks have told me how much they have enjoyed our time together in the Gardens, and I hope they have equally enjoyed the plants I have gifted as a thank you. Looking forward to more helping hands, and putting together more opportunities in 2026.
Tulip Planting Party
Our Tulip Planting Party Scheduled for Saturday, October 18 is full, and we are looking forward to our group of Garden hands to help us plant our big containers for Spring! Each attendee will receive a bag of bulbs, a collection curated by us, for your own Containers, Borders, and Beds.
Dahlia Dividing Workshop
We still have a little space left in our workshop scheduled for Saturday, October 25 at 1:00pm, and hope you can join us to learn how to Divide and store your Dahlias for the winter. These techniques and tips should guarantee higher rates of success with keeping Dahlias in your Garden for years to come. There are 2 options to choose from, both include 2 tubers, and one includes your own set of snips to use in the class and keep. I’m sharing my Hollyhill Orange Ice Dahlia tubers with attendees. I have found them to be reliable and vigorous growers, both above and below ground, and hold well in storage. They are a terrific bicolor that plays well with others in the Garden color-wise, and I think you will love having them just as much as I do. Really, a terrific plant all around.
Garden Walk: October
Its not too late to jump in our October Garden Walk, Saturday, October 11 at 10:00am, the final Garden Walk of 2025.
If you were feeling like you missed out, you love Fall, you want to hang out with us more, any of the above or other, please sign up!
The Garden Shop
There are a few open dates left this season, before we close for the Winter, and prepare behind the scenes for Spring. It’s a great opportunity to get things like garden tools for Fall-Winter planting, including the Tulip planters we brought in, which you use standing up! Start thinking ahead to the Holidays, with the cutest botanical-inspired gift tags and cards, along with perfect gift ideas, stocking stuffers and more. Need help with gifts for someone? I love gift-giving, consider it an art, and would be happy to spend time with you curating from our shop for that special someone in your life. In fact, I would consider it an honor. Remember, party season is almost upon us, and Hosting gifts are always appreciated! I’ve got some great ideas for the perfect gifts that won’t break the bank.
We’ve got a handful of plant varietals from the Gardens, including Nepeta, Verbascum, and Centaurea, all potted up in Organic potting soil, and ready to go home. They can be planted now for early Spring beauty, along with our line of Cool Flower seeds, which you can sprinkle about wherever you want flowers to bloom.
Stay tuned for Puget Sound Goat Rescue annual online auction, where you’ll find some of our favorites to bid on - it’s for a stellar organization and cause - the housing and ongoing care of sweet rescue goats and sheep!
Steve has also been working overtime getting our Laughing Goat Online Shop up and running properly again. With a huge redo of our inventory, new photos, and a new system, this will make shopping and shipping with us a breeze. Please check it out, and let us know what you think.
Plant - Container Plant of the Month
It is when Fall arrives, and with it, the shorter days, but more critically and specifically, the longer nights, that is the reason we get Chrysanthemum blooms this time of year.
“But Amy, I see mums year-round in the floral department at my grocery store in arrangements.” Yes, yes you do. And that is because growers will simulate long-night periods by growing in specialized conditions that mimic periods of dark, either through controlling the light by sensors, in an indoor operation, or by covering with a dark cloth that blocks out all light. So, even the Mums you see flooding the market this time of year, have been growing under a cloak of darkness all summer to get ready for this season. Really, they are the perfect spooky season plant.
All plants have photoreceptors, which sense and respond to light, and are important for critical processes such as photosynthesis, growth, and regulating life cycles. Different receptors perceive wide ranges of light wavelengths, that enables them to adapt to the light environment and triggers developmental change.
Back to Mums. But also poinsettias and holiday cacti, if you’re wondering; all require continuous period of darkness to initiate flowering. This period of darkness imitates a chemical signal in the leaves, called florigen, which gets translocated to the growing tips where flower formation happens. Translocation is one of my favorite plant-y words, and is a fancy way of saying “movement of materials within a plant” and just happens to be tied up in a neater, less wordy package. Said materials are organic compounds that have been dissolved, mostly sugars and amino acids, aka carbs and protein, and get moved from the “source” of production in the plant, like leaves, to a “sink” where they are needed or get stored, such as in developing fruits or roots. See why it’s easier to just say translocation? It just bundles up this whole idea rather neatly, and now you too know what it means and can sound super plant-smart when you use it casually in a conversation.
This is part of what makes Mums the best October/Fall plant and container plant of the month. The combination of shorter days/longer nights, and cool nighttime temperatures, which is their preferred hang-out space and sweet spot, make them ideal for sprucing up the tired borders and pots for the Season.
Here are some Tips for keeping your Mums Tip-Top:
✂️Pinching/Deadheading: regularly removed faded/spent flowers to encourage new bud development and prolong the overall display.
💦Watering: mums do need consistent moisture, so avoid letting them dry out.
☀️Sunlight: about 6 hours of sun a day is ideal, you really needn’t worry about manipulating the amount of light they get beyond that.
🌼Bud Count: purchase mums that have many tight, unopened buds for a longer-lasting display (and less work deadheading from the get-go)
Recipes for Fall
Early Fall recipes call for using up the last of the Garden bounty and honoring the seasonal changes, as we tiptoe into Fall and transition into dishes that warm us up after cooler days in the Garden. I found these recipes that are perfect for this dip into Fall and beyond, and cannot wait to try them out myself. Especially since I haven’t had a kitchen to cook in now for over 2 months. Some of these will be perfect alongside a simply roasted chicken, and this one is a new recipe I tried for a dinner party (brave, I know) was such a big hit, that I found an online version to share with everyone that asked for the recipe. I’d love to hear from some of you that try out the recipes I share - I have several friends who we share cookbook suggestions, recipes we’ve tried and love, and like nothing better than talking about all of the beautiful and delicious dishes we’ve made and love.
The French Laundry's Cream of Walnut Soup
Roast Chicken by Simon Hopkinson from Roast Chicken and Other Stories
Honeycomb Pasta by Coco Larkin Cooks on Instagram - use up all those bountiful cherry tomatoes!
There are hundreds of recipes online for braised leeks in white white and cream sauce, and so I say: pick your player, and eat more leeks! Leeks are highly underutilized in the US, are delicious, and you will feel more French eating them - Bon Appetite!
Leeks with Creamy Wine Sauce from food.com
Braised Leeks in Wine & Cream by Coco Larkin Cooks on Instagram
For a Sweet Ending:
Caramel Apple Bark by Leeliss Home on Instagram - got apples?
I keep hearing amazing things about this Original Plum Torte by Marian Burros, as the most requested and reprinted recipe in The Times.
Do you see a theme here? Recipes focused on the bounty our fields and farms provide is simply the best way to eat, and the absolute best way to get maximum nutrition, freshness, and everything just tastes better.
Fall Book Line-up
I collect books on Gardens, including Garden design, Gardens to visit, and Gardening how-to, along with Cookbooks. Sometimes life gets busy and in the way, so I end up with a stack of books to get through. Perfect for the Slow-Down Season, and great for tucking into after a day spent out doing any of the tasks that keep me busy when it’s cold outside. Cozying up by a fire, with a tea, and a fresh book to crack open just sounds lovely right about now.
Here’s the current list of new books to discover, read, and use for planning, dreaming, and cooking out of. My book list is always ambitious, but you may see a theme here, and I hope you get some inspiration for yourself.
Growing Conifers: The Complete Illustrated Gardening and Landscaping Guide by John J. Albers
Gardening for Sustainability by John J. Albers
The Northwest Garden Manifesto: Create, Restore and Maintain a Sustainable Yard by John J. Albers
Gardens Illustrated: The New Beautiful: Inspiring Gardens for a Resilient Future by the Editors of Gardens Illustrated
Kitchen Garden Revival: A modern guide to creating a stylish, small-scale, low-maintenance, edible garden by Nicole Johnsey Burke
The Elegant and Edible Garden: Design a Dream Kitchen Garden to Fit your Personality, Desires and Lifestyle by Linda Vater
Espalier Fruit Trees for Wall, Hedge, and Pergola: Installation, Shaping, Care by Karl Pieber
Grow More Food: A Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Getting the Biggest Harvest Possible from a Space of Any Size by Colin McCrate
In Good Health: Uncomplicated, Allergen-Aware Recipes for a Nourished Life by Rachel Riggs
Ready for Dessert, Revised: My Best Recipes (A Baking Book) by David Lebovitz
Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love: A Cookbook by Samin Nostrat
Roast Chicken and Other Stories by Simon Hopkinson
Seven Spoons: My Favorite Recipes for Any and Every Day (A Cookbook) by Tara O’Brady
Design Reimagined: A Fresh and Colorful Take on Timeless Rooms by Corey Damen Jenkins
Tuscan Rooms: Interiors from the Heartland of the Renaissance by Antonio Manfreda
Porcelain Garden: Vladimir Kanevsky at the Frick Collection by Xavier F. Salomon
September Round-Up
While we did get more plants in the soil in September, the month was marked more by activity and happenings, and a trip thrown in for good measure. I did manage to get just a few into the ground (only around 100 or so) which is but a drop in the bucket to what happened in August. Really, the focus was on getting the grounds and spaces prepped for our Master Workshop with TJ McGrath. In spite of the soaring temps that week (95º+) and high humidity for the mid- to latter part of September, we pulled off an incredible event full of the sweetest group of ladies who learned how to work with what the Gardens and Nature are providing to create beautiful and interesting arrangements in a compote, without using a lick of floral foam. We sourced product from both Laughing Goat Gardens as well as local growers across the Puget Sound, and spent the day laughing and creating. Lunch was family-style, in the courtyard, and I pulled off 2 major food-centered events, both a charity dinner, and this lunch, within the space of 5 days, all before leaving for a whirlwind trip to NYC. Phew!
We came back from NYC, with only 4 days left in the month, and officially started planting the English Garden refresh on Saturday, the 27th. I was happy to see the edging was all finished, and it looks fantastic, so it was time to start getting larger (anchor) plants in the space, then fill in with perennials.
I was super happy to see cooler weather on the horizon, as we got “blessed” with some unusually warm weather mid-month, which is great for planning outdoor events, but does pose some challenges with Gardening and working with Florals outdoors.
Sustainable Home & Garden
We can all do little things that are better for the planet, and make our lives better to boot.
Next time you’re at/near a Trader Joe’s, pop in to grab some of the black plastic floral buckets. They happily give them away for free, and they make great harvest buckets for your blooms in the garden, and this swap keeps them out of the landfill!
If you can get hold of a black bulb crate, keep in the back of your vehicle for trips to the Nursery, as they are great at holding plants upright in the trunk of your car. Bonus is that 2 black flower buckets will fit side by side for transporting your market flowers home in water. We use these bulb crates for all types of products, and find them indispensable in the Garden.
Saving your plastic dairy containers for your flowering projects guarantees water-proof vessels that can easily be tucked into items that aren’t water-tight, such as baskets, or leaky decorative items you want to use for arranging flowers. If you have precious vessels you don’t want to put chicken wire or floral frogs into, these can be a buffer to protect the finish while still using to display your floral art.
Learn what flowers are in season, and shop in Season, so that there is no carbon footprint of flowers traveling all over the world to provide them 365 days a year. Take a note from the Gardens, and enjoy Peonies when they are in bloom in the Spring, not flown in to have in December. December is for Amaryllis and paper whites, so beautiful and easily enjoyed at a time of the year when they truly shine.
Leave a pot, take a pot - our plastic pot repository is here to share containers with Gardeners who need them. We keep it stocked with containers that are for the taking, and if you’ve got gently used, not broken or cracked, you’re welcome to drop them off for others to take.
Skip buying a pre-made wreath at a big box store, and make your own instead! Using locally-sourced greenery and garden goodies, wreaths can be hand-crafted to suit your unique style, rather than being a carbon copy of every other door. We can host small gatherings of friends to do wreath parties in our Potting Shed, simply come up with your group, and email us to get on our calendar. It’s that easy!
Consider signing up for Ridwell , a service that does a bi-weekly pick-up on items that can’t be put in the recycling bin, and really shouldn’t go to landfill, such as styrofoam, plastic bags, clamshells, etc. You’ll be amazed how that stuff accumulates, and the good feeling you’ll get from knowing you’ve reduced the amount of trash you set out weekly is only compounded by knowing those items are turned into usable goods by a great company. (Link provided will give up to 3 people a free month trial!)
October Garden Tasks
- Divide any Herbaceous Perennials that have flopped open at the middle to keep them healthy and vigorous, This will also multiply your stock. Water them in well after planting.
- Continue to feed and deadhead hanging basket & container annuals to keep them going until Frost.
- Keep deadheading annuals and perennials to extend their performance into Fall.
- Prune Roses for winter, a cutting back of any potential crossing branches from wind, and helping prevent root rock is essential for health. More tender varieties could use a top dressing of mulch to keep the roots protected for the winter, and will help feed the soil. Make sure you pick up all leaf and petal litter to prevent diseases from overwintering on the soils.
- Prune climbing and rambling roses once they are finished flowering (unless repeat blooming varietals); leaving any that produce rose-hips.
- Continue Sowing your Cool Flowers & Vegetables Fall Cool Flowers
- Collect seeds from Perennials and Annuals.
- Tag your Dahlia stems while still flowering.
- Plant early Spring Bulbs, including ones tucked into Containers, beds, borders and meadows.
- Cut back Dahlias after the killing Frost.
- Divide Rhubarb once plants are dormant.
- Plant Garlic - October is the best time to plant. Sow each clove 5” apart either way, and tuck them in 1” deep. Don’t forget the chicken manure compost.
- Harvest pumpkins and squash, cure & store them properly.
- Decorate the porch with Pumpkins, Gourds and Mums!
- Replenish Mulch/Compost.
- Keep weeding.
- Continue to harvest summer vegetables; watch your pumpkins and gourds for maturity, and sow Fall-Winter Crops, such as carrots, beets, snow peas, kale, broccoli, spinach, etc.
- Harvest Apples, Pears & and any other Fruits. Pick up any fallen fruit on the ground to prevent disease and overwintered pests.
- Remove any struggling plants, lift and move plants to new and better homes.
- Dry and Preserve Herbs, and other Garden Vegetables.
- Secure any newly planted trees and large plants before strong winds and heavy rains can cause damage.
- Get your Greenhouse/seed starting area ready for winter.
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