November Garden

It's looking a bit dreary out these days. The season is coming to an end and now it's just a matter of waiting for everything to die back so I can chuck it in the compost. I think it was pretty much the height of summer the last time I took progression pictures.

Anyway here's the summer shot.

Now you can see the tomatoes have been pulled along with all the peppers.  The fall season cabbage is peaking their little heads up over the side of the beds now.  I don't think I planted the red cabbage soon enough as it still hasn't grown much or even attempted to form a good head.


Again the summer shot:

You can see the marigolds are even more vibrant now and aren't minding the cold one bit.  The pole beans on the other hand are done.  I need to pull them but just haven't gotten around to it.  The kale and lettuce (to the left) are doing well.  Actually the lettuce was much nicer this fall as I didn't have nearly the slug issues I did this spring.


The summer picture:

Now: Those towering parsley flowers are all gone now and the asparagus is turning a lovely golden color in preparation for a long winter's nap.  I have a few weeds I need to pull out of that bed - grrr.  On a happier note you can see where the little shoots of garlic are coming up on the front left.  And tragedy has struck once again.  When I was inside I heard a loud CRASH just out my window.  I went to see what was going on and there were crows all over the back yard perched in various places all squawking as loud as they could.  They'd somehow managed to break the glass on the cold frame.  Bah!  I still haven't replaced it.  I wonder if I should use a clear plastic?  At the rate we're going I can't afford to replace the glass twice a year.


The summer shot

Now:  All the cucumbers, corn and squash are long done now.  I didn't plant any fall or winter crops in this bed.  The only thing left is the morning glory vine on the fence.  Once it dies back I'll throw it into the compost too.  The tomato cages are just hanging out there for the winter.  Not sure where all of next years crops will go.  I'll plan that out after the holidays.


The summer shot:

Now:  The funny thing is, this got even crazier before it mostly died back.  I'm going to have to prop up the daliahs better next year as they completely smothered out the sage and thyme.


The pretty fall colors of the blueberries


The compost heap that's heaped high! Next spring when it starts to warm up I'll move it all to the center bin, add some cottonseed meal, water and give it a good toss. (And look for my thermometer which I accidentally buried under all the foliage.  Ooops!)


And a picture of the peach tree that I planted yesterday.

Fall clean up

Ah, it's been too long (again). I really cannot believe how busy, busy, busy life is. I was also down for the count last week with the flu so now I'm just playing catch up. Annie's Granny did have *excellent* timing as I received some bean seeds from her in the mail while I was sick. That so cheered me up. (Thanks dear!)

Today I finally planted the peach tree*! I also managed to pull all the tomato plants, the last of the corn stalks, a few straggler onions, the pepper plants. My poor compost bin is bursting full. I still have my pole vines that need to go into the heap. When I'll get to that I'm not sure. I also cut back some of the daliahs and other bulb flowers. I lost one of my artichoke plants this year. Looks like I'll have to sprout another one next year. Speaking of, the garlic has sprouted and is about 3" tall now. Hope I don't get hit with fungal issues like I did last spring.

The highland blueberry bushes are starting to turn colors - a beautiful deep red. The geese were flying in V formation overhead in a cheerful honking parade. The sun was low but warm on my face. It was nice to be outside all day today. It's shameful I didn't take any pictures.


*This required me to move a cubic yard of dirt by hand. Good times.