Gardening.....

[VincentUlyssis]

They look wonderful! How decorative for autumn! Tomorrow I'm going to finally get back into the thick of the "outer gardens." It will require a ladder and pruning tools, but the forecast is for early cool of about 60 reaching the high 70's by afternoon. It should be a beautiful morning in nature. In addition to pruning I'd like to trim up some of the perennials.

I wonder if the Monarch will still be in flight. The other day there were about a dozen in the vicinity. I've never seen that many at a time. It may have something to do with the prolific propagation of the Buddalea (spelling), aka Butterfly Bush that has sprung up in various parts of the garden. I'm ripping it out as well, but let it grow wild here and there.

This year I planted more begonia than impatiens so the garden still looks great. Tomorrow I plan to also harvest the lavender, rosemary, thyme and basil. Mom gets some along with my secretary and some of the other offices at work. I will think of all of you when the sun is shining upon my face.

[Scythe Matters]

(10-09-2011 06:29 PM)Gungawoman Wrote:  Scythe-my big tomatoes may not ripen in time before it gets really cold. I may have to bring them in and let them finish inside. The cherry and grape tomatoes have gone crazy. Everyone is sick of them-haha. For next year, does anyone know how to get large tomatoes to get with the program faster with such a short growing season???

I wish I knew! We only got one really good-sized tomato from our Early Girl. We get plenty of cherry and those little gold ones (have you seen what they want for those in the store?!). The latest haul was all pretty small:



But there was a weird little one we got:


Looks like Jimmy Durante (and if you got that reference you, too, are older than dirt)

[Gungawoman]

Great! I'm older than dirt

I had yellow pear tomatoes and Italian Ice tomatoes. The Italians are whitish-yellow cherries that are really good. I also had black pearls which are like little mini black krims. You're right Scythe--the prices in the stores are pretty outrageous for those little gems!
I had to go out today and pick everything I could. FROSTBITE The tomatoes in the greenhouse are still getting blossoms, so there is hope.
Sounds like your garden is going well too, Vincent!

[Thoughtful Eyes]

Just wanted to say thanks to all those that offered suggestions and ideas for my families first garden this past season. It was a huge success in the banana pepper realm, and we have some yummy cucumbers. The lettuce and cantaloupe, well i think they ran off and eloped, cuz nothing ever showed up in those spots! Learned quite a bit along the way, and have great ideas for next year (love the container garden idea, really looking forward to that!). So now i am focused on my wild flower boarder around the back fence and getting rid of all the bare spots under our front tree (be it by over-seeding or just planting some shade loving flowers Hope everyone's autumn has been awesome! Cheers,Peace!

[nettiesaur]

I guess I'm older than dirt too. No vegetables in my garden this year, but I'm planing for next year, and pulling out plants that I don't like!
The cone flowers in the front garden had to go, so my mom asked for the seed pods. She loves the things.
Next project: hack at the hostas(trim off the leaves that are bad), and clean up the back garden for winter.

[VincentUlyssis]

Those are some fine looking tomatoes indeed!

My secretary was happy about the lavender, rosemary, mint and basil.

I over did it in the garden yesterday. Pruned several trees, shaped others, cut and trimmed, ripped out weeds and vines, felt overwhelmed at times. It's such a big yard with so many things that can get overgrown...

The weather was PERFECT and there was that autumn haze though the day was as clear as a bell. I can't explain it. It felt good to finally get to some of those "pull out all the tools" days in. I figure that the garden will look good for a few more weeks. The red leaf, red flower begonia were a great choice this year. Marigold are still strong as well. Perfect autumnal coloring. I skipped mums this year but I have some aster coming up from previous years.

I was happy to see that many of the perennials and new shrubs I planted this year are doing well. Soon enough, perhaps after a little more work out there, the flowers will die and my attention will begin to shift to indoor activities. All winter, however, I will dream about the garden in early spring.

[Scythe Matters]

They were yummy, too!

Our place is so overgrown that we just can't keep up with things at all. The container gardening is working out, though. We do have a few ornamentals sprinkled around, mostly over at the farm house (where MIL lives). But the blackberries and other weeds are just insane here. Even with the alpacas.

So I don't really get days like you had, Vincent. If I do manage to get out in the yard, it's usually with a pair of loppers and a weed whacker. Ya can't pull weeds here, you have to engage in mortal combat

[VincentUlyssis]

I feel like that too sometimes!

[Gungawoman]

(10-11-2011 07:41 PM)Scythe Matters Wrote:  They were yummy, too!

Our place is so overgrown that we just can't keep up with things at all. The container gardening is working out, though. We do have a few ornamentals sprinkled around, mostly over at the farm house (where MIL lives). But the blackberries and other weeds are just insane here. Even with the alpacas.

So I don't really get days like you had, Vincent. If I do manage to get out in the yard, it's usually with a pair of loppers and a weed whacker. Ya can't pull weeds here, you have to engage in mortal combat

Alpacas?

[BrianW]

Guess this is close to gardening: pumpkins are coming in season now. Do you folks still carve freehand, or with those template/mini knife kits? I'm a freehander from way back myself.