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September in Heidi’s Connecticut Garden

Gardening

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October 13, 2025

Happy Monday GPODers!

Last month we were treated to an incredibly colorful submission from Heidi Weirether in Redding, Connecticut, which showed off the incredible display of flowers that fill her garden in summer (Check that post out here: Heidi’s Flowers in Connecticut). And that was not the first time we’ve been treated to Heidi’s incredible floral showcases (Check out her previous submissions: Heidi’s Colorful Garden in Fairfield County, Peak Season in Heidi’s Garden, and Heidi’s May Garden), but today she’s already back to share how this incredible color continues even as the temperatures begin to drop and fall begins in New England.

As the golden hues of autumn begin to softly touch Redding, CT, Heidi Weirether’s September patio remains a vibrant testament to summer’s lingering charm. Heidi lovingly describes her patio as her “happy space,” a serene haven where she finds immense joy in the simple pleasures of dining amidst her flourishing flowers and the industrious buzz of pollinators. Despite summer’s gentle retreat, her annuals continue to burst forth with an undiminished array of vibrant colors, offering a delightful visual feast. Adding an extra layer of spontaneous beauty to her seasonal sanctuary, Heidi also shared the pleasant surprise of seeds casually tossed behind her barbecue blossoming into a successful and beautiful burst of cleome, zinnias, and assorted cosmos. Her patio truly embodies the spirit of “Happy Gardening!” a joyful reminder that beauty can flourish even as seasons turn.

The gardener in her element: Basking in the sun and color of her spectacular patio garden. Heather’s begonias and coleus are looking as fresh and vibrant as some of the most impressive peak season displays.

This sensational wall of color does more than create a pretty backdrop, it also separates the patio from the rest of Heather’s yard. This allows for a level of privacy and seclusion while not completely obstructing views of her equally-flower-filled beds and borders in the distance.

Heather implements the classic composition of thrill, fill, and spill to create this vibrant container display. White spider flower (Cleome houtteana, Zones 10–11 or as an annual) is a textural powerhouse and ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum, Zones 10–11 or as an annual) covers each pot with trailing foliage and flowers.

With all of those red flowers, Heather’s patio is a haven for hummingbirds.

To one side of the patio is a large planting of pink flowers that compliments all of that red. Even more spider flowers tie in the white blooms on the patio and marvelous mixed with zinnias.

Finally, a wide view of of all that color. This angle also reveals a cluster of hostas that cools down these hot plantings with lush greenery and flurries of light purple blooms. And as I mentioned above, the seating area is complete obscured by Heather’s incredible designs. Who needs hedges when you can plant up a wonderful wall of flowers?

Thank you so much for another amazing update from your garden, Heather! Your flowers are absolutely enchanting, and it’s a delight to see that color continuing into fall.

What annuals give you the best late season color in your garden? Don’t forget to take pictures of those last flowers before frost comes to put a pin in the show for this year, then consider sharing their final performance on Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.

We want to see YOUR garden!

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #FineGardening!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Razor-Back Potato/Refuse Hook

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Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs.

Lee Valley Garden Obelisks

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Sturdy yet lightweight, these obelisks provide ample support for climbing plants while being easy to install and move. The medium obelisk stands 68 1/2″ high overall with a diameter of about 9 1/2″, compact enough for smaller containers indoors or out. The large size stands 86 1/2″ high with a diameter of 15 3/4″, ideal for larger outdoor spaces and containers.

Resistance Bands, Pull Up Bands, Pull Up Assist Band Exercise Bands for Men & Women Working Out, Body Stretching, Physical Therapy, Muscle Training

Products

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October 12, 2025

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Resistance Bands, Pull Up Bands, Pull Up Assist Band Exercise Bands for Men & Women Working Out, Body Stretching, Physical Therapy, Muscle Training

Price: ~~$9.99~~ - $6.99
(as of Oct 12, 2025 22:43:46 UTC – Details)

Latex
Imported
100% Natural Latex
Natural and Durable: This pull up assistance bands are made of 100% natural rubber from Malaysia, which is green, soft and odorless. The results showed that our resistance band performed a good elasticity after being used for a long time
Multifunctional Stretch: These resistance bands are perfect for fitness enthusiasts of all levels, from beginners to advanced, and suitable for both men and women. They’re great for warm-ups, muscle building, strength training, yoga, Pilates, and various other workouts
Multifunctional: Your all in one rehabilitation, mobility and exercise band. the resistance bands add an extra bit of resistance to your workout. They are perfect for you to learn pull-ups, ring dips, and muscle-ups. They are excellent for body resistance training and physical therapy to help strengthen torn ligaments or muscles and ideal to work out your arms, back, legs, and butt. You can check out the band tension chart in the images on the left to choose the best bands for your needs
Easy Carry and Package: Resistance pulls up bands are so compact that it practically does not even take up any space or weight. If you want to take it outdoor, just put it in your bag. There have a kit or a single band you can choose
No-Risk Purchase: Preparing gifts for fitness people, from workmanship to function, these training bands set is the best gift for birthdays, Thanksgiving or Christmas. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, and we’ll provide you with a great solution.You take NO RISK by ordering today

Customers say

Customers find the resistance band well-made, durable, and effective for various workouts, particularly for pull-ups and banded Goodmornings. They appreciate its versatility for multiple exercises and consider it good value for money. The band’s weight resistance is suitable for rotator cuff rehab movements, and while some customers report good stretchability, others mention it has very little stretch.

Trump cuts jobs at nation’s mental health agency and some jobs at CDC : Shots

Health

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October 12, 2025

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Trump cuts jobs at nation’s mental health agency and some jobs at CDC : Shots

Sign for the 988 Lifeline mental health emergency hotline, Walnut Creek, California, December 20, 2024. The Trump administration has laid off more than 100 employees at the agency responsible for overseeing the number.

Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images

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Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images

The Trump administration has laid off more than 100 employees at the nation’s main mental health agency, NPR has learned.

Current and former employees at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) told NPR about the layoffs, which were part of a government-wide reduction in force. The sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly about the agency, said the layoffs came late Friday, as the nation’s government shutdown dragged on.

Employees were notified of a “Reduction in Force” shortly before 8 p.m. ET on Friday, according to a source within the agency who was not authorized to discuss the layoffs publicly. According to the source, administration officials offered no rationale for who lost their jobs:

“I think the general feeling today is shock — and not understanding why?” the source told NPR.

That source was aware of dozens of firings. Two former employees told NPR that the total number of employees at SAMHSA who lost their jobs was around 125, though that number was a rough estimate. SAMHSA had employed around 900 people at the start of this administration, but had already lost a third of that number to layoffs in the spring. With this latest round of firings, that number is down to nearly half.

In a statement, the Department of Health and Human Services, which houses SAMHSA, confirmed the cuts.

“HHS employees across multiple divisions are receiving reduction-in-force notices as a direct consequence of the Democrat-led government shutdown,” Andrew Nixon, the department’s director of communications, wrote to NPR in an email late Saturday.

SAMHSA is responsible for overseeing the new 988 suicide prevention hotline. It also gives out billions in grants for mental health and addiction services. It was created in 1992 through bipartisan legislation signed by then-President George H.W. Bush. In 2024 its budget was about $7.5 billion, most of which went directly to states for programs aimed at mental health issues and addiction.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, is shown in a close up photograph.

SAMHSA funds “are the backbone of behavioral health in this country,” Rachel Winograd, a psychologist at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis, told NPR earlier this year. “If those grants were to go away, we’d be screwed.”

A protestor is holding a sign that says, "End overdose deaths now." There are very tall buildings on both sides of her and blue skies behind her.

Despite having what many see as an essential role in protecting the nation’s mental health, SAMHSA has not been viewed favorably by the current administration. President Trump had proposed slashing its budget as part of his Big Beautiful Bill. And earlier this year, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Congress that he intended to fold its duties into a new program he calls the Administration for a Healthy America.

CDC in confusion as some cuts reversed

A sign marks the entrance to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Atlanta. Several key parts of the agency are losing employees.

Brynn Anderson/AP

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Brynn Anderson/AP

SAMHSA was not the only agency to see staff laid off on Friday evening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also appears to have suffered cuts to staffing, according to two employees who say they were affected by the firings. Both employees were not authorized to speak to the press while the layoffs are being finalized.

But the cuts at CDC seemed to be in flux late Saturday. In an apparent reversal, one employee had their firing undone according to a letter seen by NPR. The letter, from Tom Nagy, the Chief Human Capital Officer at the department of Health and Human Services said the employee’s Reduction in Force was “hereby revoked.”

The source said they were aware of other reversals at the CDC, but it was unclear how many employees received such letters.

Martin Kulldorff (right) speaks with Robert Malone during a meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on September 18, 2025 in Chamblee, Ga.

Before the reversals went out, one CDC official who was laid off told NPR that the agency had been the subject of sweeping cuts to staff at offices responsible for disease surveillance, outbreak forecasting, chronic diseases, and immunization and respiratory diseases, to name but a few. “If you wanted to weaken America’s public health capacity without saying it outright, this is how you’d do it — remove the people who connect the dots, steady the ship, and keep the public informed,” the official who was laid off told NPR.

The New York Times also reported extensive cuts at the public health agency, including two senior officials responsible for overseeing the CDC’s measles response team.

The statement from HHS’s Nixon did not directly address the CDC cuts or the apparent reversals, but it indicated more cuts could come.

“HHS continues to close wasteful and duplicative entities, including those that are at odds with the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again agenda,” it said.

NPR’s Pien Huang and Jeff Brady contributed to this report.

How to Grow Spathoglottis (Ground) Orchids

Gardening

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October 12, 2025

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How to Grow Spathoglottis (Ground) Orchids

Hybrids and cultivars derived from this species are especially popular, with ‘Adams,’ ‘Crownfox,’ and ‘Solarflare’ among the standouts.

Maintenance

There’s very little maintenance with these plants. Trim off damaged, diseased, or pest-infested leaves as you see them.

When the flowers have faded, you can remove the flower stalk by cutting it off at the base or one inch above the base using a sanitized knife or pruners.

A vertical image of the flower stalk of a Spathoglottis plicata orchid.

Replace the potting soil every three years, as the soil tends to break down, become compact and depleted, and sometimes even hydrophobic.

To do this, remove the plant and dump out the existing soil. Brush the excess soil from the roots.

Clean out the container with hot, soapy water and repot the orchid in fresh potting medium.

Outdoor plants don’t need any help to rebloom.

But indoor-grown Spathoglottis may need a little extra attention to encourage flowering. You can learn how to do that here.

Propagation

Orchid propagation is a wild, wild world. Talk to one grower and they’ll tell you one thing. Talk to another and they’ll tell you the exact opposite works for them.

A close up of the multicolored flowers of a Spathoglottis ground orchid pictured on a soft focus background.

Most serious orchid enthusiasts practically have a laboratory in their greenhouse where they work like mad scientists.

That’s probably why many of us leave the propagation to the experts and just buy our specimens.

But I can say from personal experience that if you go in with an open mind and a sense of adventure, you never know what you’ll end up with. You have nothing to lose, right?

From Seed

Yes, you can grow orchids from seed.

But it’s complicated, time-consuming, and definitely not for beginners. You’ll need special equipment, lots of patience, and a clean environment.

A close up horizontal image of seedlings growing in small pots.

If you’re feeling brave, we have a full guide to starting orchids from seed to walk you through the process. You’ll learn a lot about orchids and propagation in general!

From Stem Cuttings

When your orchid has finished blooming, don’t toss the flower stalk.

Cut it off at the base, and then make another cut just below the last spent flower. That’s your cutting. Discard the top section.

Depending on the length, you can divide the stalk into five- or six-inch pieces.

Dip the bottom end in rooting hormone, then wrap each piece in a moist paper towel. Place each wrapped section in a zipper bag, and set the bags somewhere warm, around 60 to 70°F, with bright, indirect light.

Keep the towels moist. If they start to turn dark or smell off, replace them.

Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Fitness Bands with Instruction Guide and Carry Bag, Set of 5

Products

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October 12, 2025

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Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Fitness Bands with Instruction Guide and Carry Bag, Set of 5

Price: $13.95
(as of Oct 12, 2025 10:40:15 UTC – Details)

Product description

Instructions Included

Every Fit Simplify product is a standalone workout, but also includes ideas on how to add them in to your current routine, too.

Full Body Workouts

Resistance bands are perfect for all fitness levels and a wide variety of exercises for the entire body. The harder you pull, the harder you work!

Exercise On The Go

Our Resistance Loop Exercise Bands come with an included carrying pouch, so you can easily pack your workout on the go.

Add to Cart

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars 4,674

—

4.5 out of 5 stars 2,107

4.4 out of 5 stars 1,648

4.4 out of 5 stars 781

4.5 out of 5 stars 395

Price

$16.76$16.76
— no data
$9.98$9.98 $29.95$29.95 $9.98$9.98 $13.95$13.95

Tension Level(s)
5 – 35 lbs Extra light – Extra heavy Extra light – Extra heavy 20 – 35 lbs 35 – 65 lbs 100 – 240 lbs

Primary Uses
Full body, low impact workout. Complement workouts and stretching. Physical therapy. Complement workouts and stretching. Physical therapy. Increase the number of unassisted pull ups. Bands with a higher resistance to increase workout challenge. Lower body focus: thighs, legs, glutes, quads, and hips.

Material
Natural latex Natural latex Natural latex Natural latex Natural latex Elasticized fabric

Units included
12 including carry bag 7 including carry bag 7 including carry bag 1 5 including carry bag 4 including carry bag

Extra Heavy Exercise Band Set: This set of 5 extra heavy 12 inch by 2 inch resistance bands is ideal for advanced level resistance workouts, A single extra heavy band has a resistance strength of 25 to 30 pounds
Great For Any Workout: Our resistance bands are the ideal home gym equipment, Integrate them into your yoga, Pilates, or other routine or use them for stretching and weight training, Storage bag included
Get Fit: Resistance training is a great way to get a full body workout and our premium resistance bands, ankle straps, handles, and door anchors are excellent for home exercise, gym routines, and physical therapy
Quality You Can Trust: We stand by the quality of our premium exercise bands.
Fit Simplify: From ballet stretch bands and pull up assist bands to resistance tube bands, hip resistance bands and more, we have high quality exercise accessories for men and women of all fitness levels

Customers say

Customers find these resistance bands effective for building muscle, particularly in the legs, and appreciate their value for money. The bands receive positive feedback for their quality and resistance, with one customer noting that resistance doesn’t fade with time. Durability and stickiness receive mixed reviews – while some find them strong enough to last awhile, others report they break after a lot of use, and while some say they never have issues with stickiness, others mention they tend to stick together. Thickness opinions are also mixed, with some describing them as thick while others find them pretty thin.

SPRI Xertube Resistance Bands with Handles – All Exercise Cords Sold Separately with Home Gym Workout Fitness Door Anchor Attachment Option

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October 11, 2025

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SPRI Xertube Resistance Bands with Handles – All Exercise Cords Sold Separately with Home Gym Workout Fitness Door Anchor Attachment Option

Price: $12.92
(as of Oct 11, 2025 22:31:42 UTC – Details)

The SPRI Xertube Resistance Band is the ideal workout tool you can use anywhere, any time for safe and effective total-body conditioning. SPRI rubber resistance products are created using a ‘dipped process’ rather than the more common and inexpensive ‘extruded process’ – making it one of the most durable and reliable tubes on the market! The handle plug, protective sleeve and grommet reinforcement features (Tuff Sleeve) also contribute to making SPRI the tubing product that is tough and reliable enough for many of the US military training kits. All SPRI rubber resistance products are made using Tuff Tube, a SPRI exclusive. This heavy-duty, high quality material has greater resistance to abrasion and tears to stand up to the rigorous demands of professional use. Built to a professional grade quality and designed for commercial gyms and clubs to be used 100 times a day versus 100 times a year in a home gym. Perfect for use in group training and strength-conditioning classes, Pilates and physical therapy and rehabilitation. Tube Lengths: Very Light/Light = 44″ — Medium = 50″ — Heavy/Ultra Heavy = 53″ Yellow (Very Light) Xertube is for beginner men and women. At 1-1/2 times its length, the weight equivalence of this tube is approximately 3-5 lbs. Green (Light) Xertube is for beginner women and moderately fit men. At 1-1/2 times its length, the weight equivalence of this tube is approximately 6-10 lbs and offers 50-Percent more resistance than Very Light (Yellow) Red (Medium) Xertube is for moderately fit women or fit men. At 1-1/2 times its length, the weight equivalence of this tube is approximately 10 lbs and offers 40-Percent more resistance than Light (Green). Blue (Heavy) Xertube is for fit men and women. At 1 1/2 times its length, the Blue (Heavy) weight equivalence is 15 lbs and offers 42-Percent more resistance than Medium (Red). Purple (Ultra Heavy) Xertube is for extremely fit men and women. At 1-1/2 times its length, the weight equivalence of this tube is approximately 20-27 lbs and offers 20-Percent more resistance than Heavy (Blue).
Resistance band: Designed for light and speedy mobility, the exercise band can be rolled up to stash in a gym bag, suitcase, or overnight trip making it perfect for travel, gym, or in home use
Tuff tube durable rubber: This heavy duty, high quality material has greater resistance to abrasion and tears to stand up to the rigorous demands of professional use
Tuff sleeve protective handle: The handle plug, protective sleeve and grommet reinforcement features help to make the Xertube one of the most durable and reliable resistance bands on the market
Great for all types of fitness: Helps you isolate target muscles more effectively and is perfect for use in group training and strength conditioning classes, Pilates and physical therapy and rehabilitation
High quality performance: Built to a professional grade quality and designed for commercial gyms and clubs to be used 100 times a day versus 100 times a year in a home gym

Customers say

Customers find the resistance band to be well-constructed and effective for various exercises, particularly noting it’s great for in-home workouts and comes in different resistance levels suitable for beginners to intermediate users. They appreciate its portability, being small enough to take anywhere, and consider it good value for money as an inexpensive way to tone muscles. The durability receives mixed feedback – while some find it very durable, others report it snapping apart during use.

Laura Shares Her Mom’s Mature English Garden

Gardening

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October 11, 2025

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Laura Shares Her Mom’s Mature English Garden

Hi GPODers!

All garden journeys start somewhere. In today’s day and age some gardeners might begin from the information and inspiration they gain online, but many will still start from the experience of growing up with a family member’s garden. That was exactly the case for Laura Axel in England. Laura’s mom created abundant gardens for her children to grow in, which also allowed her to easily pass down her passion for plants. Now that all her children are grown, Laura’s mom continues to tend a luscious landscape that Laura still finds joy and inspiration in whenever she visits.

In the tiny seaside town of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, my mum has gardened for some 60-plus years. My brother, sisters, and I grew up not far from her current house and remember fondly a family home of about an acre that had an informal grass lawn for tennis, a summer house for us four children to play in, a swing set, and lots of trees to climb. A huge vegetable garden provided us with a myriad of produce—rhubarb, black currants, pole beans, strawberries, raspberries, and cabbages, to name a few. There was a rose garden in the front, and a long driveway lined with a dozen horse chestnuts that led to a double car garage. It was a great place to grow up.

It’s no wonder that along the way my mum shared with us her love of gardening. All four of us went on to garden in some form or another after leaving Leigh-on-Sea. My mum is now in her 91st year and still enjoys her garden, tinkering alongside a great garden helper that often considers a cup of tea as important as pruning the eucalyptus tree. Here are some photos of Mum’s current garden of 20-plus years.

Laura’s mom planted a dense tapestry of textural beauty, in a classic English garden fashion. A compact white agapanthus, dusty miller (Centaurea cineraria, Zones 8–10 or as an annual) and a mix of seed heads stand out among larger foliage shapes in the background.

An English garden is not complete without a water feature, and in smaller spaces a tiny pond will instantly become a fabulous focal point. Even with dense greenery inside and all around this small structure, it still manages to draw the eye.

Laura’s mom no longer has an expansive landscape to divide into distinct garden spaces, but she still manages to pack plants and garden whimsy into every available crevice. Pots of various sizes and a sprinkling of garden art continue the interest on her patio.

While the garden has the abundance of the English cottage garden style, there are also color and plant selections that give it a Mediterranean vibe. Plumes of grass give the garden tons of movement and even more textural interest, while complementing the gravel path that cuts through the middle of the space.

More grass and lush greenery collide in this shadier corner of the garden. Laura’s mom must have an incredible collection of antiques, as even her piles of pots and glassware are interesting elements in her garden.

What an ingenious way to plant succulents in a metal hanging basket! The coconut coir liners we traditionally see in these kind of planters would retain far too much water for succulents, but broken terra-cotta pieces will keep the substrate in place while keeping everything well-draining. The bright purple clematis in the background is just a gorgeous companion.

Various shades of terra-cotta, clay, and brick bring a level of warmth to this garden that you might associate more with Spain and Italy than with England. It’s another fantastic example of the way Laura’s mom has perfectly fused English and Mediterranean garden designs.

Thank you so much for sharing your mom’s gorgeous garden with us, Laura! It’s easy to see why you and your siblings have also caught the gardening bug; it would be hard to resist the magic of plants when surrounded by abundance like this in your childhood.

Who inspired you to get into gardening? Do you come from a long line of gardeners, or did a close friend introduce you to the hobby later in life? Let us know in the comments where your garden journey began, or consider sending photos of the garden that inspires you (with permission of course) to Garden Photo of the Day. Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.

We want to see YOUR garden!

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #FineGardening!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Buffalo-Style Gardens: Create a Quirky, One-of-a-Kind Private Garden with Eye-Catching Designs

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Buffalo-Style Gardens is a one-of-a-kind, offbeat garden design book that showcases the wildly inventive gardens and gardeners of Buffalo – and offers readers “the best of the best” ideas to use in their own small-space gardens.

Black and Decker 22-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Quick and easy to put into operation and is less noisy and lighter in weight than gas-powered hedge trimmers.
– 38 x 7 x 7 inches
– 6.9 pounds
– 1 Lithium Ion battery required (included)

Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs.

WHOOP 5.0 Activity Tracker – 12 Month Membership – Health and Fitness Tracker, Sleep Tracking, Personalized Coaching

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October 11, 2025

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WHOOP 5.0 Activity Tracker – 12 Month Membership – Health and Fitness Tracker, Sleep Tracking, Personalized Coaching

Price: $199.00
(as of Oct 11, 2025 10:29:24 UTC – Details)

Improve your health and fitness like never before with WHOOP—the only wearable that turns comprehensive health insights into daily action. There’s a WHOOP membership for every goal. On WHOOP One, maximize your performance with personalized sleep, strain, and recovery guidance. With 24/7 data collection and 14+ days of battery life, WHOOP continuously monitors your metrics, then customizes coaching based on your unique physiology. Quantify the impact of 160+ behaviors, chase personalized targets with VO2 max, and calculate the muscular load of your workouts by tracking weights, reps, and sets. Build a routine that helps you perform at your best on WHOOP One.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS INCLUDED: Your WHOOP purchase includes a 12-month WHOOP One membership, a WHOOP 5.0 device, a CoreKnit band, and a corded Basic Charger.
CONTINUOUS MONITORING: WHOOP monitors your most important metrics with lab-level accuracy, including heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep, menstrual cycle, and VO2 max—providing 24/7 insights to optimize fitness, recovery, and overall health.
UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF YOUR HABITS: Capture 160+ daily behaviors like training, diet, consistent wake time, stress levels, and more with the WHOOP Journal to understand how habits help or hurt your recovery.
PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE WITH WHOOP COACH: Get daily sleep, strain, and recovery recommendations to maximize your performance, as well as AI-powered responses to your health and fitness questions.
STAY CHARGED FOR 14+ DAYS: Plug in to power up with the corded Basic Charger, made for fast charging and longer battery life—or, add the waterproof* Wireless PowerPack to your purchase.

Customers say

Customers find the biometric monitor to be an invaluable device that offers detailed health metrics and sleep tracking, with amazing battery life. The device provides spot-on insights and recommendations for health improvements. While some customers consider it well worth the price, others find it overpriced. The functionality and accuracy receive mixed reviews, with some finding it accurate while others report issues with heart rate monitoring during workouts.

AstraZeneca reaches deal on drug prices with President Trump : Shots

Health

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October 10, 2025

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AstraZeneca reaches deal on drug prices with President Trump : Shots

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot shakes hands with President Trump in the Oval Office, as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. looks on.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

AstraZeneca became the second drugmaker to enter a deal with the Trump administration to offer lower prices to Medicaid and to offer some of its drugs at a discount through TrumpRx, a government website to facilitate sales directly to consumers.

“In other words the lowest price anywhere in the world, that’s what we get,” President Trump said during an Oval Office press conference Friday. The centerpiece of the deal is most-favored-nation pricing for drugs sold to Medicaid. That would link Medicaid prices to the lower ones paid in other developed countries.

Top federal health officials, President Trump and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla meet in the Oval Office to announce an initiative on drug prices.

As part of the deal, AstraZeneca will also offer discounts of up to 80% off list prices on direct sales to consumers, according to a company statement. Its drugs include inhalers like Bevespi Aerosphere for people with COPD and Airsupra for people with asthma. AstraZeneca, based in the U.K., also said it would expand drug manufacturing and research in the U.S.

In return for these commitments, the drug company will get a three-year exemption from certain tariffs.

The White House unveiled its plan for TrumpRx and a similar deal with Pfizer on Sept. 30. The website will help patients access drugs at lower prices — bypassing health insurance.

TrumpRx is part of a broader initiative the administration says is aimed at bringing prices paid by Americans more in line with those paid in other developed countries.

The announcement follows an executive order in May, and letters to 17 pharmaceutical companies sent out over the summer to push them to lower prices voluntarily.

The TrumpRx website is expected to launch sometime in 2026, and would take consumers to pharmaceutical companies’ direct-to-consumer websites to fulfill orders.

The impact of the Trump administration deals with pharmaceutical companies for consumers is unclear. Medicaid and its beneficiaries, for instance, already pay some of the lowest prices for drugs. And people with health insurance could spend less on their medicines through copays than buying them directly from AstraZeneca.

AstraZeneca also said Thursday that it would invest an additional $500 million in a new manufacturing facility in Virginia, raising the investment to $4.5 billion. That’s part of a $50 billion investment announced in July to expand manufacturing facilities in California, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas and Virginia, as well as other research and development efforts.

“For all the pharmaceutical companies out there — we’re talking to all of you, pick up a shovel,” said Dr. Mehmet Oz, who leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, during the press conference.

Trump said his administration had gotten a total of $18 trillion total commitments to re-shore pharmaceutical manufacturing. NPR wasn’t immediately able to independently confirm that number.

How to Lift Dahlias for Winter Storage

Gardening

wrwofficial.com

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October 10, 2025

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Tuber Tutorial

A dahlia tuber is the below-ground portion of the plant.

It’s a starchy storage organ that holds the food, nutrients, and water needed for growth as the plant establishes feeder roots.

They come in a variety of shapes. Some look distinctly yam-like, others can be long and thin, plump and rounded, or elongated teardrops, depending on the variety.

A close up horizontal image of a dahlia tuber freshly dug from the ground with black printed text to indicate the different sections. — Photo by Lorna Kring.

For the purposes of storage and division, there are three sections to be aware of:

The fleshy crown located at the base of the stem.
The thin neck that attaches the tuber to the crown.
The large tuber that’s attached to the crown by the neck.

The crown is only the only part of the plant that develops growth eyes.

But for successful propagation, all three sections are required to remain intact.

For this reason, don’t try to propagate new plants using tubers that have grown from others – without a piece of crown, new plants won’t develop.

Also, should you inadvertently break off actively growing eyes, it’s not a problem. New ones will push up from the crown at the same location.

Dig and Lift

When first lifted, dahlia tubers can have fragile necks.

If possible, dig them out in the morning and allow them to sit on the ground for a few hours before cleaning and dividing – the necks will be less brittle and easier to handle.

A close up horizontal image of a shovel digging up dahlias in the autumn.

To remove a clump, cut down stems to approximately 12 inches from the ground, if you haven’t done this in advance.

Mark a radius of approximately 12 inches around the clump and use a garden shovel or fork to dig down six to eight inches to loosen the soil.

When the soil is loose, insert your fork under the clump and lift it carefully. Grasp the flower stems to help you lift it if needed.

Gently knock off any large lumps of soil from the clump and rinse with a garden hose to remove any remaining dirt.

With a sharp, clean knife, cut away any pieces that are damaged, discolored, soft, or rotting.

A close up horizontal image of a hand from the left of the frame holding freshly dug and trimmed dahlia tubers ready for storage. — Photo by Lorna Kring.

Invert the clump and set it upside down in a dry location for a few days. This allows any stem water to drain away and helps to remove excess moisture from the tubers.

This time spent drying, or curing, is important to prevent contamination from bacteria, fungus, mildew, and winter rot which can damage or destroy your tubers.

After the skin starts to wrinkle slightly, the tubers are dry enough for storage.

Winter Storage

Storing tubers is straightforward and a wide variety of containers can be used including cardboard or wooden boxes, paper bags, or styrofoam ice chests.

Your dahlia tubers should not be stored in plastic bins, containers, or bags as these tend to trap too much moisture which can easily lead to mildew and rot.

A close up horizontal image of dried dahlia tubers placed in a wooden box surrounded by soil and newspaper ready for winter storage. — Photo by Lorna Kring.

They will require a dry to lightly moist packing medium. Coconut coir, peat moss, perlite, sand, sawdust, or vermiculite all work well for packing tubers.

For storage, line the box bottom with several layers of newsprint then add a generous layer of your chosen packing medium – two to three inches deep.

With clean, sharp garden shears, remove any long feeder roots growing from the tuber and any remaining pieces of stem.

Dust the tubers with a fungicide powder such as garden sulphur before storing, and ensure you apply it to any cut surfaces as well.

Bonide Sulfur Plant Fungicide

Garden sulphur can be purchased online at Arbico Organics.

Place clumps of tubers inside the box on top of the packing medium ensuring that they’re not touching. Add more packing material on top until they are completely covered.

Close the box and store it in a cool, dark location such as a basement, cellar, garage, or shed.

To ensure viability, temperatures need to remain above freezing and below 50°F, with an ideal temperature range of 40 to 45°F.

Every month, inspect the tubers carefully and discard any that show signs of softness or rot.

In late winter or early spring, move your containers to a warm (60 to 70°F), dark location.

Every week, sprinkle a tablespoon of water on top of the packing medium until you are ready to plant them out.

The warmth and added moisture help the growth eyes to develop, which makes division easier.

Divide and Plant

After all risk of frost has passed, when you are ready to plant, remove the clumps from storage and gently shake off the storage medium.

Inspect the clump and discard any tubers that are moldy, soft, or rotten as well as those with broken or damaged necks.