Steve Nix observes that "the number one reason people plant trees in their yard is that trees have become 'necessary to maintain a public image of the appropriate setting for single family houses.' (Schmid) There are social pressures to plant a tree in one's yard."

While I recognize the importance of increasing one's property value (with an eye to selling one's home, eventually), I still can't help but feel uncomfortable with such a reason for planting trees. I see a new tree as a (hopefully) long-term companion in my landscape. Consequently, I feel that I should be planting a tree because its qualities excite me.

As I finish transplanting a tree, tamping down the soil and watering to eliminate any air pockets, I want to be looking ahead to enjoying such qualities as:

• Fall foliage color
• Spring flowers
• Interesting branching pattern or bark

Of course, you should, by all means, make a list of unacceptable qualities, too, before planting trees, so that you may obviate costly problems in the future by making sound decisions in the present. For example, About.com's Forestry Guide notes that many avoid planting the following trees as being too messy:

1. Ginkgo biloba females
2. Sweetgums that produce gumballs
3. Mimosa trees
4. Bradford pear
5. Mulberry trees

Why have I been put into a mind to make a kissing ball? Well, here in New England (U.S.), we're entering the gray season, as cooler temperatures try to sever our ties with the plant domain. The rest of the year, I pretty much go with the flow -- but not now. My watch word during the gray season is "recalcitrance." With all my might, I resist being cut off from the wonders of the plant world to which I had become so accustomed over the course of the last eight months or so.

Gone now are the days of stepping outdoors to see how, for instance, the leaves on my Virginia sweetspire have changed from last week -- that's true. I realize that, from now on, when I step outdoors, I'll witness plants resigned to a rather static state, until spring returns. But that doesn't mean I have to take it lying down! I'm not a big fan of houseplants, but there are plenty of ways to keep the memories of better times alive....

One way to maintain a connection with the plant world during winter is to dry certain plant parts during fall, then bring them inside. For instance, I have some dried hydrangea flowers hanging up right next to me, as I type these words. I also like to dry hardshell gourds to work on my gourd craft.

Likewise, I enjoy using materials from the plant world to make Christmas decorations, such as kissing balls. While not all the materials in my kissing ball project are natural (heck, a Styrofoam ball lies at the very center of a kissing ball), I do discuss several natural materials in the process of showing you how to make kissing balls. For all the instructions, please click the link below.

View tutorial: How to Make Kissing Balls

If you rely on a garden hose to water your lawn, you understand what a nuisance hoses can be. I'm continually annoyed, in my own yard, by the fact that the plumbing for the garden hose is on one side of the driveway, while the lawn is on the other. This means, of course, that the hose must run across my driveway in order for me to water my lawn. The driveway is a small one, with barely enough room for the two cars that call it home. Inevitably, it seems, there's a car in the way when I want to reposition the hose. Sometimes, the hose even winds up pinned under a tire.

November is the one time of year, however, when I'm glad I water my lawn with a hose (or so I tell myself). Why? Because winterizing garden hoses is a breeze: just detach 'em, let the excess water ooze out, bring 'em inside and turn off the outside water supply.

But as About.com's Lawn Care Guide reports, winterizing sprinkler systems is another matter altogether. It's easy to put the hose's upscale cousin to bed for the winter only "if you have the proper equipment." Winterizing sprinkler systems requires an air compressor -- which, let's face, the average person tends not to have just lying around.

It's a small victory for us "hose people." Enjoy it while it lasts!

Resource related to winterizing sprinkler systems: Lawn Irrigation

Do you have all the leaves removed off your lawn yet? If not, don't be ashamed: you have a sympathetic ear here with this procrastinator! But if you do, while your leaf-removal work is still fresh in your mind, it's a good time for you to share your leaf-removal method with the rest of us.

I admit to harboring some skepticism about leaf blowers. What gets them off on the wrong foot with me is the noise that they emit. While bothering with the task of leaf removal, I take great consolation in being able to enjoy a peaceful fall day, and the blare of an engine definitely detracts from that. Leaf raking is work, yes, but I find it more pleasant work than leaf blowing.

Of course, there's more to it than that. Some may not be up to leaf raking, physically.

How about you? How do you prefer to remove the leaves from your lawn: by leaf raking or leaf blowing -- or both? Click the link below to tell us your preference.

As for you procrastinators out there, the opinions sent in may provide the catalyst you need to get you moving before the snow flies!

What's your leaf-removal method: Leaf Raking or Leaf Blowing