Wednesday Workday

It's been a lovely few days.  Crisp, cooler fall days (that means low 70's in these parts) with cooler nights (mid-60's) with a few high 80's thrown in to remind me of June.  Today was a smorgasbord of fall weather.  Gentle rain fell for a couple of hours before dawn, only to make way for fog that hung heavy on the shrubs after sun-up.  On the neighborhood pond it looked like the fog was being carried across by the geese.  Later it was sunny and balmy, before the heavier rains came near sunset. With the ground already softened, we should benefit from most of the downfall.

In the garden, the proper fall blooms are competing with the last of summer blooms.

This begonia planted itself and then suddenly appeared in September.  Seriously, it appeared in this pot!

While the coleus has spent the summer under a tree out of the shade, but is ready to brighten up the deck now.

The last of the verbena (Homestead Purple) is competing with the first asters (name unknown).

 

Overall, the garden is ready for winter - nearly a month early.  Having a deadline to get it done has really been good for me.  I like the feeling of being in control and not having a lot hanging over me and fretting about finding the time.

Oh, and about that deadline ... I'm taking some time off from the blog (well, at least the writing part) as well as from work and sadly from about everything else!  Tomorrow I am having a rotator cuff repair.  Aargh!  The surgery is not a big deal, but I will be without the use on my right arm for four to six months.  Yes, months!  I should have my hand back in a couple of weeks and be able to keyboard in three or fewer.  Altho I am hopelessly right-handed, I can follow you on my tablet and navigate that with my left hand, so I will be reading and watching.  Think of me as a friendly stalker and I will see you before the end of the month! 

You know where to find me.  I'll be on the bench. 

Wednesday Workday

It's all about redistribution this week.  No, not that kind.  We are friends and friends don't talk politics this time of year!

No, redistribution of my garden's assets.  I have pulled up acres of weeds so the good perennials can redistribute themselves into larger spaces.

I have redistributed the dirt that drifted over the summer into the iris.  The cutting garden could use some additional soil, so I had plenty to put there.

I redistributed about five cubic yards of decomposable weeds, overgrown perennials and stuff I pulled up to the compost pile.

Mitchell will soon use the chipper/shreader to redistribute the pile of sticks and branches on the left side into a new base so we can turn the pile.  I estimate that there are 18 inches of good dirt under the right hand pile!

And, finally, I redistributed many blossoms into the house to enjoy. 

Flowers in the House - September Edition!

Mother Nature gave me a bounty this month - one I did not expect.  The cooler temperatures and plenty of recent rain really have caused the garden to perk up for one last flush of summer color as the fall blooms start coming, too. 

For the dining room table:

 

The first (and perhaps last) dahlia of the season, cone flowers, two sedums (sedi?), garden phlox, and Lady's Mantle, with a few vitex leaves thrown in for good measure.

For the coffee table the last (maybe not!) of the mini-roses.

And, a bonus bunch for my chairside table - the last of the Shasta Daisies, and a handful of zinnias.

 

I couldn't be happier!

If you haven't already been, there .... please hop over to Jane's house (SmallButCharming) and see what else is showing up today.  Our friends in the Southern Hemisphere should be starting to have spring flowers, you know.

Fall's on the Way

A bit of web for you ...