END OF THE SEASON…OR IS IT?

When I think of fall

I think of the garden slowing down.

And it does.

The plants and blooms

Are going to sleep.

But my “to do” list

Seems endless.

I’ve brought much of this

On myself.

I think I have a fear

Of clean fingernails.

So I create gardening tasks.

For instance.

Pick green tomatoes.

Cut and dry Hydrangea blooms.

Pull the last of the Cockscomb and Zinnias.

When I was in Denver last week

I found close out vinca minor.

We are reworking a shady end of the garden

So I was in the market for vinca minor.

I found 20 tiny plants.

Today I planted 16 of them

In the ground

And potted up the other 4.

The plan is to take cuttings

From these 4 all winter.

Increasing the inventory

Enough to fill the space

By winter’s end.

Since we are expecting

Our first freeze this week

The giant and prickly Sego Palms

Had to be hauled into the garden house.

Bouganvilla, Asparagus Fern and Kimberly Fern

Found their way into the breakfast room

With John’s help.

Dusty Miller was rescued from the big pots

And cozied into the ground

Since it will often survive our winters.

And the Plumbago was dug and potted

In the garden house

Where again I’ll take winter cuttings

To have ready for next spring.

I keep talking about taking cuttings

Like I actually know how to do it.

I do know how to do it.

I just can’t keep them alive.

So that is my challenge

For the winter

Cuttings.

If I succeed at this.

The garden house will be

Even more of a jungled mess

Than it is today.

And that will make

For a very happy winter!

Gail