Leaves falling from the trees along with vegetable and bedding plants dying off as the season draws to a close means there can be lots of plant material accumulating around the yard. That makes now the ideal time for starting a backyard compost pile.

Used for hundreds of years to convey messages without words, roses have long been a symbol of confidentiality - the Latin expression sub rosa (literally "under the rose") means something told in secret.

Regardless of color, their unique beauty and subtle fragrance convey a message guaranteed to elicit delight from the recipient and envy from others. If you’re looking for a way to add a little extra sentiment to your silent message of affection, we’ve put together a list of the meanings associated with the different colors of roses.