Waking Up to Winter

the view from my studio window

This is the site we woke up to yesterday morning. SNOW! A good amount, too, especially for mid-October. I'm not really ready for it. I do like the snow (After all I am a true Minnesotan, born and raised) but really...we barely had Fall. I expect we'll still have some convertible cruising days, I HOPE at least! Today we planted four "Ever-Blooming" Lilac plants. They arrived Friday, bare root from Springhill. I have to say, I much prefer planting in temps warmer than the 30's we had today. Brrr... Hope the little guys make it! We were intrigued with their claim that "the sweetly-scented blooms just keep coming and coming all summer long." Planning for spring makes me feel hopeful, even after yesterday's preview of Winter.

Harvest

I planted one tomato plant, A Better Girl, and one Hungarian Wax pepper plant this year. Gardening is pretty new for me. I can't explain the joy it gave me to see these plants grow and develop. It's hard to see all of them right now, but a couple weeks ago there were twelve tomatoes on the vine! They must really like that spot...or do you think I just have a green thumb?? I harvested the first tomatoe tonite! You can't beat the smell of fresh produce. Last night we ate the first little red pepper. It added just the right zip in the chicken stir-fry I mixed up. I was quite pleased with myself (smiles proudly!) and intend to plant more veggies next year. Now if I can just get the rest of those beautiful tomatoes to ripen. (sighs and looks wistfullly out toward the garden)

Distracted

Delphiniums Down. Maybe next year I'll try some kind of beautiful arbor to help secure the heavy blooms.


I was never a big fan of a yellow and gold garden until I discovered the Fanfare Gallardia and from there, my gold garden has "bloomed".





Black and Blue Salvia, which I discovered last year is NOT a perennial which survives Zone 4. Still, I LOVE The deep color and it looks great in my blue garden. I love the combinations. The fish is a favorite piece of art created by my friend Sue Seeger.

Pheasant Tail plant that came to my garden by way of my cousin Mark and Sue's garden.


Well, please don't be mad. I just can't do anymore than the three collages I have completed. I have been distracted with gardening. I planted and planted and planted...taking advantage of all the sales on annuals and mostly perennials. I have transplanted lots of sedum from one rock wall to the other. I planted a tomato, with visions of a fresh tomato for a BLT soon. My Delphiniums are top heavy and some branches have totally fallen down. Next year, maybe some kind of trellis or support to help them. (You'd think Nature would have made compensations for this!) I am very pleased with the results and am happy now to sit back and enjoy the way the gardens look. Even while working in my studio I can look outside and be close to nature. That was the goal! In the past, I never enjoyed the process of gardening. This year has been different. The process has been part of the joy.

Pussy Willows

One of the most delightful surprises of Spring has been the Weeping Pussy Willow Tree we planted last year. I couldn't get over the size of the furry buds. Now the buds are transforming. Do they become the leaves? We'll see! So far it looks like most things have survived the Winter. The Firecracker Hydrangeas are still brown and no buds have appeared, but I am hopeful. Even tho it's last year's growth it sure makes for a lovely photo. There is nothing like a garden to feel renewed. I really wanted to be outside uncovering things today, but had work to do. I hope you are enjoying the weather and tending your garden.

Delphinium

Sadly, it's nearly time to put the garden to bed. I can't resist posting this picture of the Delphinium...blooming again. I love this flower and sure hope it winters OK. I am a novice gardener. Any tips will be gladly accepted. I scored some great plants from the neighbor today. She even had some lavender, which I am told is not Zone 4. We'll see if I have the magic touch. I continue to be reminded what I am supposed to be doing while gazing out my studio window.

Green Treasure

Good news. We have moss! I was watering yesterday and discovered the green treasure. To view the newly planted moss pot see the previous post. I love Fall but I have to admit I am not quite ready to let the summer pass.