Quotation of the Week:
"In November, the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed, a winter bed for flowers and small creatures. The bed is white and silent, and much life can hide beneath its blankets."
― Cynthia Rylant, In November

The Gift Shop at Acer's carries a Full Range of Unique Gifts, including Custom Silk Arrangements, Lifetime Candles, and Gardening Accessories. We also have a Full Line of Seasonal Decor that will have your home radiating the spirit of Autumn.

1. Cover strawberry beds with 2" of straw (not hay). This will protect the plants from cold and winds, control weeds and warm the soil earlier in the spring.
   
2. Clean up all fallen leaves from blueberry beds, then add a 2" thick layer of pine needles, straw or pine bark mulch around the plants. This will insulate the roots during the winter.
   
3. Sharpen, clean and repair all hand tools before storing them.
   
4. If rainfall has been light, deeply water all trees and shrubs before the ground freezes.
   
5. Protect any half-hardy shrubs by surrounding them with a wire cage and cover them with a thick layer of dry leaves.
   
6. Wrap the trunks of young trees to protect their tender bark from frost injury.
   
7. If you haven't already, cut grass low to prevent mold from forming under snow cover.
   
8. After the ground freezes, cover perennials with mulch; this will prevent frost-thaw cycles from heaving them out of the ground.
   
9. Turn the compost pile and add water if it feels dry.
   
10. Prune roses back to 8"-12" tall, mound compost around the bud union and cover with a rose cone.
    
11. If you are planning to plant a live Christmas tree, dig the hole now before the ground freezes.
    
12. Continue raking and shredding leaves to add to the compost pile.
    
13. Mulch plants you want to overwinter with a thick layer of straw.
    
14. Last chance to plant spring-blooming bulbs such as daffodils and tulips.
    
15. If you didn't do it last month, cut back perennials, clean all beds of leaves and weeds and edge your lawn.
    
16. Don't feed your houseplants through the winter, but give them as much light as possible.
    
17. Clean the foliage of houseplants that will tolerate it (those with smooth, un-fuzzy leaves). Wash both sides. This removes the dust, which allows them to breathe better; it also gives you a great opportunity to check for insects.
    
18. Make sure you allow your houseplants to dry out between waterings; they do not use as much water in winter as they do in the spring.
    
19. Pot up some herbs and bring them inside to a sunny window for the winter.
    

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What You'll Need:

• 2 large yellow sweet onions, halved and sliced
  
• 2 large red onions, halved and sliced
  
• 3 tablespoons butter
  
• 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
  
• 1 cup dry white wine
  
• 1 ounce cognac
  
• 1 bay leaf
  
• 4 sprigs thyme
  
• 4 slices bread
  
• 4 ounces gruyere or Swiss cheese
  
• 1 ounce parmesan cheese
  
• salt and pepper
  

Step by Step:

1. Peel and halve the onions, then slice.
   
2. Melt a tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add all of the onions, alternating with the remaining butter and a pinch of salt so the onions release their moisture.
   
3. Cover and cook the onions until they are well caramelized and reduced considerably. This will take about an hour. Stir occasionally.
   
4. Once onions have reduced, stir in white wine, beef broth and cognac and raise heat enough to bring to a boil. Add the bay leaf and thyme and reduce to a simmer.
   
5. Meanwhile, cut circles out of the bread, tracing around an ovenproof bowl or dish that you will bake the soup in.
   
6. Place the bread circles on a baking sheet and toast them directly under the oven broiler.
   
7. Grate the cheese!
   
8. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs and divide the onion soup into bowls, top with a bread circle and a portion of the cheese. Put the bowls on the baking sheet and set under the broiler just until the cheese has melted.
   
9. Serve immediately.