Sandy Spring Gardener - October 2025: Nothing Gold Can Stay (Winter is Coming)
The Sandy Spring Horticultural Society had it’s final meeting of 1925 in October at Alloway. The original home and 100-acre farm were built around 1836. Warwick P. Miller and his wife Mary M. Stabler purchased the farm from John Bancroft in 1857. Warwick left behind his crockery and china business in St. Louis, Missouri and moved his wife and two children to the home and farm. The name “Alloway” was chosen because it had a pleasant sound and suggestive of Scotland. Alloway was known for its’ magnificent lawn and gardens shaded with many large oaks, evergreens and a huge linden tree, one of the largest in the county.
The meeting minutes begin: “Alloway! What thoughts this name conjures. It’s synonymous with beauty, graciousness and hospitality always—and never was it more so than on this beautiful October day when it was the scene for the last meeting of the Horticultural for 1925.”
“Every member of the society was present, and we had good exhibits with nine places bringing lovely flowers with, of course, Cousin Ellen leading with 13 varieties of dahlias. A mammoth pumpkin from Tanglewood made one think of real October and Halloween and goblins and things.”
“After a typical fall luncheon, the meeting was called to order in the lovely long drawing room where a bright open fire crackled on the hearth.”
“Cousin Marianna Miller, our first reader, read a most frightful article that told us that American and French scientists agree that 1927 will be a year without a summer. This is not merely sensational; it’s authentic. We will all freeze to death! 1916 was just such a year. January and February were warm while May and June were icy and the whole summer was cold, and the following weeks were intensely cold. Several members present remember tales of this awful summer, where harvesting was done in gloves and fires were necessary every month of the year. A more cheerful article told of a Chinese chestnut that has been imported that will resist blight.”
“Father, the other reader, read an article on the super-lawn. Telling us of the Washington Bent grass that will make a beautiful lawn in just one season instead of taking 200 years as the English believe necessary. As this grass needs acid soil it does away with the liming that has become rather costly.”
“Forethought discussed everything we needed to do in the garden for October.”
Here in Sandy Spring, October is a great time to tidy up the garden and prepare for winter. Start by removing spent annuals and cutting back perennials that have finished blooming but leave some seed heads like coneflowers for birds to enjoy. It’s also the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and hyacinths before the ground freezes. Rake fallen leaves and use as mulch or add them to the compost pile. Fall is ideal for planting trees and shrubs, as cooler temperatures (and hopefully) fall autumn rains will help establish strong roots. Without rain, it’s important to water weekly. Don’t forget to bring in any frost-sensitive plants or cover them during chilly nights. Plant cool-season crops like garlic, spinach, and kale now for a late fall or early spring harvest.
“Under deferred business, the changed time of the meetings was brought up. It was moved, seconded and adopted that for one year, we will meet the second Wednesday of each month.”
Questions. “Why have bees gone out of style? Because they require so much attention, and everyone has much to do. Floyd Nesbitt told us that in Chester County, PA they keep watermelons and pumpkins longer by whitewashing them and keeping them in a cool dry place. What is a good way to keep lima beans after they have been picked before frost? Spread on the grass and cover with bags, uncovering when it is warm and sunny. Cousin Emma Stabler told us she has heard of keeping geraniums slips in water all winter. We will ask at the April meeting for the results of those who have tried this. “
“Mr. Thomas most graciously expressed the appreciation of the society for the Alloway cousins’ hospitality in entertaining us. We then adjourned not to meet again until April 1926, when we hope no ties will be broken.”
The following article was added to the meeting minutes.
New Pests Attack Trees. Maryland Forestry Officials See Dry Weather as the Cause. August 29, 1925
The foliage of shade and forest trees in Maryland is being attacked by another insect pest, the hyphauteria cuneal, according to state forestry officials.
Nearly a dozen other varieties of tree pests have made their appearance in this section within the past few months, it was said. Dry weather during the Spring and early summer was said to be favorable to propagation of the insects and caterpillars. The new tree pest also is known as the Fall web worm, according to the Assistant State Forester. It is so named because it appears in the late summer or autumn and spins spiderlike webs about infested parts of trees.
The feature poem for this month’s meeting is Robert Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” written in 1923. He lived 1874-1963 and holds the record for Pulitzer Prize for poetry winning four times between 1924 and 1943. The poem explores the impermanence of life, using the fleeting nature of beauty and brief life cycle of leaves as a metaphor for temporary perfection.
Nothing Gold Can Stay
Nature’s first green is gold.
Her harvest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So, Eden sank to grief,
So, dawn goes down to day,
Nothing gold can stay.
Alloway home and gardens. Photograph courtesy of Sandy Spring Museum Digital Archives