Greetings from Earthen,

 

The days are growing shorter, the air crisper, and our landscapes are beginning their transformation into autumn’s warm hues. It’s the perfect time to embrace the beauty and prepare for the months ahead.

 

This September offers some incredible natural events. The Draconid Meteor Shower peaks September 9–10, and the Full Harvest Moon will light up the sky on September 17. The Autumn Equinox arrives on September 22, marking the official start of fall in our hemisphere. It’s also a busy month for wildlife here. The geese, swallows, and warblers begin their migration south, and monarch butterflies hit their peak migration as they head to Mexico. We've got our eyes out for monarchs on asters and goldenrod, which have powerful fuel for their journey.

 

Some Gardening Thoughts & What’s on Our List:

Remove dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs to avoid winter damage.

Avoid heavy pruning of spring-blooming shrubs like forsythia, lilacs. They bud for next year’s blooms in late summer.

Plant vegetables like spinach, kale, radishes, and carrots. These can usually handle our cooler temperatures in fall.

Incorporate compost into beds to prepare soil for winter (or spring) planting.

Clean up selectively while also leaving a bit of a mess for native bees. Solitary ground-nesting or cavity-nesting species, often rely on undisturbed areas of soil, hollow stems, or leaf litter for overwintering. We have mining, mason, sweat, digger, and many other native bee species in Central Oregon.

Plant native berry-producing shrubs like elderberry and serviceberry to support our migratory birds before their journey.

 

September Botanical Spotlight: Rabbitbrush | Ericameria nauseosa

The Unsung Hero of Autumn! Rabbitbrush is a hardy, resilient native plant that thrives in arid regions, producing clusters of golden-yellow flowers in late summer and early fall. It’s an essential resource for pollinators and wildlife at a time when many other plants have withered. Honey bees, native bees, and butterflies are especially drawn to Rabbitbrush during late summer and fall, as it provides vital nectar and pollen when other blooms are scarce.

Rabbitbrush isn’t just great for pollinators—it’s drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and plays an

important ecological role. It helps stabilize soil in arid landscapes, making it an excellent choice for erosion control in dry climates. In addition, it serves as a host plant for several insect species and enriches local ecosystems, all while adding vibrant golden hues to late-summer and early fall landscapes.

 

Rabbitbrush thrives in well-drained, sandy, or rocky soils and does not tolerate heavy clay or overly wet conditions. Once established, it requires very minimal watering, making it ideal for water-wise gardens. Rabbitbrush loves full sun and can handle drought, heat, and poor soils with ease.
For a tidy look you can prune and shape in late winter, or let it grow into impressive clumps that can reach up to 6 feet tall and wide!

 

Adding Rabbitbrush to your landscape brings stunning clusters of golden blooms that not only brighten your garden but also support pollinators, stabilize arid ecosystems, and foster a thriving, wildlife-friendly environment. Its vibrant flowers blend beautifully with the season’s colorful foliage, making your autumn feel golden—just like the leaves, but without the raking ;)

 

Stay Grounded,

Mike