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
In My Garden 