Fall Weather

(Acer palmatum 'Viridis,' photo from October 8, 2003)

Fall weather is so changable. Woke up today to a steady, miserable drizzle. By mid-afternoon, it was cloudy but not raining, and the air was actually still pretty warm. After all, this is November.

So I got out and mucked around with some of the fall cleanup chores.

Moved some stuff that had been living on the patio (pots, bagged dirt) out of the path of the snowblower. Found and stashed more of the ceramic pots - in zone 5, no ceramic is 'frost proof', it all has to be emptied, cleaned up and stored in the garage. Trimmed down some more of the weedy looking fading plants (goldenrod and wild asters just look shabby by the time they are done.) I put some of the potted plants into the corners where they will ride out winter's abuse.

I still need to finish breaking down the whiskey keg pond and store the plastic liner, rake all the leaves off the patio, and put all the potted plants in secure places for their winter sleep.

(Sedum spurium 'Bronze Carpet' - Dragon's Blood Sedum, photo from October 8, 2003)

Next year I hope to get my three bin compost area built, and that will make my life easier. I have a plastic composter that is full to bursting, a pile of leaves and miscellaneous trimmings beside it, and half a steel barrel that has mostly gone to rust - also full of potential compost. The making of the triple bin will be a job and a half, though, because of the perp work for it - all the crap that is hanging out behind the garage has to come out and be dealt with/discarded. By spring I hope to have fresh energy for this.

Comments

[Gemma]

Well ya know, some of us will come work in the garden for food. :-)

[jenn]

Gods, enthusiastic company would be such a change from the norm, I would likely keel right over and expire...

[Judith]

I will help with yours if you will help with mine. But your week ends are so busy. When could we?

[jenn]

Er. Mom. So you can come to my house and sit around all queenly while I slave in my own garden? Somehow lacks any deep appeal.

What did you think you might do here?

[Gemma]

Whereas I'm willing to help in anyone's garden, provided they feed me and keep me hydrated with copious amounts of cold water and Fresca. :-)

[jenn]

Mmm. Gemma. Your offers are getting more and more tempting... doing anything this weekend?

'Course, Saturday the predicted high is 36F. Urg. But sunny. Sunday will be warmer (45F) but cloudy with a 20% chance of rain. Bah.

But food I can provide. mmmm... food.

[Gemma]

Mmm. Food. :-)

Saturday is bad for me because I've got to get a haircut and then I've got to go to a "gala" that evening.

Sunday, however, I'm wide open. If you want gardening help, I'm yours!

[jenn]

Erk. I have been reminded that I have a 'previous engagement' on Sunday. Bah. Such is life in my garden - deferred yet again...

[Gemma]

Only for one more week.

I'll see you next weekend! :-)

[jenn]

*does the snoopy happy dance*

[Gemma]

I'm looking forward to it! Now all I need to do is find my gardening gloves...