Garden Finds & Notes
Here you'll find practical tools, helpful finds, and notes from my time working with plants. I hope something here supports your own garden work.
A Note From Me
I do seasonal work with plants, and it's taught me which tools and items make outdoor work easier. I also spend time talking with customers, from brand new gardeners to those who've been growing for years and they often share their own experiences, challenges, and helpful ideas. The finds I share here come from real conversations with people who love plants at every level.
A Great Garden Find
Farmers Defense Sun Protection Sleeves
These sleeves have become one of the most helpful items in my outdoor work during the warmer months. They protect my arms from skin irritations, especially when working around plants like foxgloves or when deadheading. Bees absolutely love speedwells, and when I'm removing past blooms, the sleeves help deter them from getting too close. On the rare occasions a bee does sting, the sleeves soften the impact and in all the months of working with plants, I've only been stung twice.
Most importantly, they offer sun protection and, surprisingly, keep you cooler while wearing them.
I receive many comments about them from customers, and they often ask where to find them. They've become one of those simple, practical tools that make days outside more comfortable.
You can find the sleeves via the button below.
I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through it.
I'm also expecting the matching Farmers Defense gloves any day, and I'll share my thoughts once I've had a chance to use them.
Garden Flowers Through the Seasons
Being in central Connecticut (Zone 6b), the flowers that thrive here are those suited to our winters and warm fall days. Many reliable perennials for this zone include coneflowers, daylilies, Russian sage, and butterfly bush, plants I've worked with and enjoyed throughout the season.
As we move into fall, hardy late-season perennials continue to shine. Some of the best performers that carry color well into autumn include asters, coneflowers, and Gaura 'Whirling Butterflies'. Each one has its own character and can still be planted now, especially with these warm fall days extending the season.
Here are more perennials that bloom into fall in Connecticut:
-
Sedum (Autumn Joy, Firecracker, Frosty Morn)
-
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum')
-
Hardy Garden Mums
-
Helenium (Sneezeweed)
-
Coreopsis (late-blooming varieties)
-
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium)
-
Goldenrod (nonaggressive cultivars)
-
Salvia (late reblooming types)
All of these are suited to Zone 6b, and many can still be planted in early fall as long as the soil is workable. Fall planting helps roots establish before winter and sets the stage for strong growth next spring.
Asters
Purple asters are one of the best late-season perennials for central Connecticut. They start blooming just as many summer flowers fade, bringing a soft purple color into fall. They're easy to grow, loved by pollinators, and keep their shape well even as nights get cooler.
Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are one of the most reliable perennials for central Connecticut. They love full sun, handle heat well, and come back strong each year. Orange varieties add warm color, while PowWow White and soft yellow bring a fresh, bright touch. They bloom from mid-summer into early fall, attract pollinators.
Gaura 'Whirling Butterflies'
Gaura adds light, airy movement to the garden. Its white blooms dance above the foliage from summer into early fall, and the plant handles heat and dry spells well. In central Connecticut, Gaura grows happily in full sun and well-drained soil, returning each year with even more blooms.
End-of-Season Garden Tips
As the season winds down, it's time to prepare your garden for winter. A few small steps to keep your garden thriving:
-
Remove spent blooms to keep plants tidy and reduce disease.
-
Cut back perennials only if they're truly finished for the season. Leave seed heads in place for the birds appreciate them.
-
Add a thick layer of compost to support root health through the colder months.
-
Water deeply before the first frost, especially for anything newly planted.
-
Leave some stems standing, they add winter interest and give pollinators shelter.
This page reflects my own gardening experience.
Some links may be affiliate links, and I only share products I personally use in my outdoor work.