Thanksgiving Weekend.
I love the slow pace of this 4 day weekend.
At least the way it used to be.
Before Black Friday came along.
For me, I simply can’t get into the retail version of the day.
So yesterday I had a different kind of “Black Friday”.
I spent the day in the garden.
Digging in God’s great black earth.
Things are winding down in my garden.
Almost to a crawl.
But there is always something to do.
Megan and I are still trying to get our scheduled afternoon of bulb planting.
Because it’s getting a little late in the season
I went ahead and planted everything except the tulips leading to the garden house.
Lilies were the first on my list.
You may remember I’d gone a bit lily crazy on my order this year.
I have 25 mixed Oriental Lilies
They are going on the east side of the garden.
In front of a bank of Yews
Behind the Digitalis bed.
Or should I say the hoped for Digitalis bed.
I plan to try again with them in the spring.
This area lends itself to a trench as opposed to big oval holes.
It’s the same principal though.
Don’t dig a hole for each bulb.
And, because these come out of the ground a bit later.
Be sure and mark them so you won’t dig them up.
The saddest sound in the garden is a shovel slicing a lily bulb
Or a daffodil….or tulip…or dahlia.
I know I’ve sliced them all.
Then off to plant Trumpet Lilies.
These are golds, yellows and whites to fill in what I all ready have.
Next came the tulips that Debra gave me.
She selected black (Queen of the Night), white ( Maureen) and orange (Daydream)
For her dad’s garden.
So she gave me a few in memory of my dad.
Both of them taught at OSU during their “second careers”
So it is fitting.
Then, I never can resist Parrot tulips.
This year I’m doing Rai a purple and green with a touch of white.
And Blumex – kind of pink and orange.
Now, I know, most of you finished your bulbs weeks ago
And you are likely pulling your Christmas decorations out of the attic today.
But…there is still a bit more to do.
The pumpkin tower I’ve had in the front pot
Is well…over.
So I buried a few daffodils in a plastic pot.
Actually I did the lasagna method but with all daffodils.
Then I buried the pot within the pot.
This is important because my front pot sits right out in the open.
Lots of cold air swirling around it all winter long.
The double layer of pots will provide a little insulation.
I covered it with pansies.
We’ll see what kind of winter we have.
And how they survive.
I likely have another day or two in the garden this season
The afore-mentioned garden house tulips
and I’m still hoping to move that rose bush.
Though it is likely too late.
Normally by this time of the year I’m ready to be done.
But not this year.
I’m enjoying these days of digging.
Winter is closing in.
But for now
Fall is still with us.
Who could ask for anything more.
Here are the last of the season’s flowers.
Still blooming happily.
Take care,
Gail
In My Garden 