This is the time of the year
When we know what’s coming
Whether we want it or not.
Sometime in the next few weeks
It will freeze
Mother Nature will play with us a bit first.
A few “light frosts”
Will take out those heat loving friends.
Basil is usually the first to go.
Followed by annuals of all kinds.
Then finally will come the dreaded
“KILLING FROST”.
There are many years where I am ready for a freeze.
But most years it’s a sad day for me.
So I’ve learned over the years
To do a little October preparation
For the inevitable November freeze.
I’m not a great indoor gardener.
I don’t have tons of plants that I care for in the winter.
But I do try to have a good supply of herbs
Basil and rosemary to be specific.
Awhile back I planted my winter basil pots.
They have been sunning in my south office window
Last spring when I way overbought Rosemary Arp
Because it’s supposed to be hardy here.
I put a few in two small pots
Which will soon join the basil upstairs.
Today I decided to save a few of the plants
In my big patio pots
So I potted up the variegated Swedish Ivy
And the Plumbago.
Then I put the potted plants back in their giant pots
When the freezing west wind blows
All I have to do is pick up the pots
And take them to the garden house.
I’ve done this for years with the Foxtail Ferns.
They spend their entire summer in their winter pots
Buried in the patio pots.
It saves me time on a cold November afternoon.
And it saves my back a bit.
Now if I can just find the time to turn all that basil
Into pesto
I’ll be ready for the cold days to come.
This year I have something new to fill those days.
Did I mention I have two new grandchildren???
Gail
In My Garden 