Since we had such a late summer, I was hoping against hope that we would have a late fall as well. I should know that Mother Nature rules in her own way and not to the whims of the human race. I didn’t need a calendar to know it was September as the nights had already started to cool considerably, and there was just that feeling of autumn that we all can recognize if not quite put a name to it. I know summer technically lasts until late this month but try telling Mom Nature about that.
There is definitely a smell to fall. Burning leaves (but not the kind from wildfires, the kind from burn barrels) are a good clue. The leaves of the alders are among the first to brown and fall from their branches. There is also a sweet smell of decomposition coming from the woods. There is a nip in the air each evening, even when the temperatures get warm during the day. The wind shifts ever so gradually as it moves from the north to the south. And the birds either leave or start to take on fall colors of their own. The ever-so cheery yellow male goldfinches fade to duller colors to be camouflaged for the winter. They no longer need their bright golden feathers to attract a mate.
As I walk through my garden at this time of the year, I begin to assess what I could do differently next year to improve the way things are growing. The first thing on my spring to-do list will be to pull out the Rose 'Graham Thomas' that died after I moved it in April. I may wait until next Spring to find a replacement unless I find a nice rose on sale. Or perhaps I will try something else in that spot.
I need to be more diligent – and don’t we all – about baiting for slugs all summer. My use
of coffee grounds around all my new Hosta seemed to work very well, so I will continue that regimen in the spring when the Hosta first peek out of the ground. I must also remember to feed my perennials until the end of August. I gave up on that early, too, and as a result, they are looking a little tired. Especially faded are the Astilbe, after looking so lovely most of the summer.
I know I can blame a lot of the "failure to thrive" of some perennials on the dry conditions we had in June, July and August. The last measurable rain was the first week in May, so I ran out of water in my rain barrel early on this year. As much as I try to do a good job watering with hoses and watering cans, Mother Nature always does it much better than I do.
There are some good things on my list for next year, too. My hanging baskets
filled with colorful lettuces and pansies did well and I harvested from them all season. They get bright light but not direct sun and so were very happy. All I had to do was remember to water them every day.
We don’t have much heat where we live because we are so close to the bay and it is hard for me to grow vegetables. To be honest, I prefer spending my weeding time with in the flower and Hosta beds. But Julie, a friend of ours in Hebo, might have convinced me otherwise. She has a wonderful vegetable garden tucked behind her perennial beds. Not being a dedicated vegetable gardener, I didn’t give too much thought to scarlet runner beans being so tasty. But the ones Julie shared with us were delicious. I may have to find a sunny spot (maybe where the 'Graham Thomas' was?) and plant some gorgeous runner beans on a bamboo teepee. It could be quite dramatic in the garden and give some height to an otherwise flat area if I do it right.
The thing I must remember to do is write this all down so I don’t forget my Big Plans for 2024. It will be here before we know it.
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