Figbeard on Japanese Gardening 🌿 Plant Sales Aplenty 🌿 Day of the Dead Altar 🌿

NURSERY NOTES: "As fall weather quietly arrives," were my 5 ill-fated words from the last newsletter. The mid-60s of some of the mornings that week were clearly a false Fall... and now some wonder whether fall or winter will ever arrive.

Gardeners and their plants remain hunkered down in summer survival mode. From driving around the city, it's clear that many plants and trees need extra TLC. But time keeps ticking, and fall events are upon us, no matter the state of the sun. 🌿

Three day weekend plant sales continue at the Wildflower Center until Oct 27. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wildflower Center 🌿

The Native Plant Society of Texas's Fall plant sale: Oct 19, from 9 - 2 p.m. 301 FM 1626, 78652. NPSOT 🌿 The Austin Organic Gardeners plant sale, Oct 19 at Zilker. AOG 🌿

Free class at the Natural Gardener tomorrow (Sat. Oct. 5) at 10 a.m. "Responsible Beauty: How to Establish and Maintain Native Wildflowers." Presented by George Cates of Native American Seed. TNG 🌿 Figbeard's "Fruit Trees in Myth & Mystic Traditions" series continues on Oct 19 at 9:30 a.m.in the little field behind the Herb Bar. His focus this time — the pomegranate. $15 Herb Bar 🌿

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ROCK GARDEN BASICS: Panayoti Kelaidis celebrates the sculptural effect of a well-placed stone and plants together. "And to top it off, a rock garden will often persist with far less cutting back, deadheading and fussing than a bed filled with perennials or annuals would require." Fine Gardening ❦

A GARDEN ALTAR FOR OUR ANCESTORS: Mexican shaman and herbalist Jesús García leads this spiritual healing workshop at Zilker in Austin on Oct. 20, 10 am - noon. Learn how to build a garden altar "through the guided spirit" of your ancestors. $30 Zilker ❦

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photo: Angela Rodriguez-Mayers

Landscape Serenity

5 Principles of Japanese Gardens

by Figbeard

Long ago, when Figbeard was just a stubble-beard, he lived in Japan and studied Japanese horticulture, which emphasizes harmonious connection with nature and the cultivation of peace in ourselves. We’d be wise to incorporate these principles into our Central Texas landscapes, too.

Create Space Before Expanding

Japanese gardening teaches us the value of minimalism, where every element of the landscape serves a purpose. Before you add new plants and trees, remove things that don’t belong. Do wild-sprouted trees grow through the fence line? Do thorny plants crowd a walkway? Does one tree branch crowd another? Clear problematic spaces before adding more to your landscape.

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Practice Patient Progress

Rather than rushing into a weekend-warrior yard transformation, take small, intentional steps towards improving and cultivating your landscape. You are more likely to make costly mistakes when you make big sweeping changes, so enjoy the process and gradually transform your landscape over time.

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Harmonize Your Landscape

In Japan, harmony between plants and the surrounding environment is key. Instead of mix-matching terrain and plants (like planting fruit trees in a xeriscape), select plants that work together naturally in the Central Texas environment and with the features of your location. Choosing complementary elements gives you a pleasing, cohesive landscape that is much easier to maintain.

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Incorporate Symbolism and Purpose

Japanese gardens often use symbolism to reflect deeper meaning. You can do the same in your landscape — whether it is a stone path, a water feature, or a specific plant that represents something personal and resonant with you. Interacting with symbolic elements in your landscape can be a fantastic journey from the outside world to a place of inner meaning and purpose.

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Importing Japanese Wisdom to Texas

By applying these principles—creating space, practicing patience, harmonizing the landscape, and incorporating symbolism—you can create a peaceful, purposeful garden that authentically reflects both the Texas landscape and your own personal journey. ❦