Drifting to Sleep
We had a few frosts this month, which was largely spent gathering seeds and cleaning up after plants died down. Dormancy started to set in as the leaves changed and fell.
October 4th
Today I completed the Fall amendment, which was really just spraying fertilizer on the whole lawn and dumping sheep manure and peat moss followed by grass seed onto the bare patches. We moved the blackberry to the side fence so that we can train the canes along the fence. I have been winnowing basil, calendula, cosmos, and snapdragon seeds.
October 13th
I noticed some of the Milkweed pods had broken open even though they were green so I clipped the bunch and brought them inside. Tomatoes and Zucchini continue to ripen even though the weather is cooling down. The Dragon’s Tongue beans have begun to flower but the three watermelon sprouts look rather sad. I noticed that Cilantro actually sprouted and is growing. The Napa Cabbage is coming up but does not look anything like I expected.
This morning I pulled the two tomatillos and final two Padron bushes, the latter which were laden with red and green fruit.
A few weeks ago I dug up the dahlias that either did not grow or did not bloom and the bulbs had rotted completely. The soil was rank and too wet; next year more drainage is critical. I should have purchased proper soil for the dahlias and not used the mix we purchased for the vegetable beds.
S has dug out and framed the new front corner flower garden. New daffodil and Hyacinth bulbs have arrived which I plan on planting in there.
October 25th
We have a big snowstorm today, and yesterday was filled with clearing and planting activities. The pipes were blown out yesterday.
I dug up the four cloth grow bags and carried the soil to the new bed in the front where I planted the following bulbs:
10x Replete Daffodil
10x Apricot Passion Hyacinths
10x Miss Saigon Hyacinth
14x Pink Buttercup
I packed away the garden knick knacks and cut the frozen and dead dahlia stems to the soil. I placed the pots in the garage to dry the tubers out before storing them for the winter.
I cut back the basil and parsley, recycled the soil and packed away the containers. I placed fresh food out for the critters. I cut back the yarrow.
The dragon’s tongue beans froze along with the dahlias after Friday’s chilling night.
I also raked and mulched leaves and placed them in the garden beds.