The "g's" of summer

That would be "Golfing" and "Gardening". My g's are really winding down for the year. We played golf on Sunday with a high of 48 and 10-15 mile an hour winds. Being dressed for the weather makes it comfortable to be outside but I still haven't found the combination of clothes for the temperature and clothes that you can make a good full golf swing in. I've got my November golf in now and I don't think I'll play again until the temperatures are in the fifties. Unless of course we go out Christmas morning to play 18. Number 18 that is.

So on the the other "g" of summer. Gardening is about finished too. After riding around with the trash can in my Jeep for a month I think my accumulation of leaf top dressing for the new gardens is about complete. I added several new plants from the 75% off sales at the end of the year clearances and I am now finishing my drawings of where these new plants are located. I learned last year that by spring I had forgotten where and what I quickly threw into the ground the previous fall. My American Dream coreopsis came up but I kept pulling it out in the spring because I thought it was grass.  It wasn't until I found a tag from one of the plants that I remembered where I put it and realized my mistake. Also last fall my garden mentor Kathy was in the process of moving and there were rootings of several plants she wanted me to have from her garden. Some of these got put into the ground quickly in a fertile location with the intention of finding a good home in the spring. By summer when they came up I was struggling with identification and so moving never happen.  My learning process of gardening is evolving. I love the perfect gardens in the magazines but I really am enjoying the scattered approach.  A garden changes every year as things grow and mature. It is okay to move things for many reasons. Sunlight changes as trees get bigger, soil conditions are different too. I have a wet area that is always going to be a challenge. I am looking forward next summer to adding some of the zinna color from my neighbor Renee. I have a box of zinna seeds I collected this year to scatter around some of my new gardens next year. It was fun to dry the flowers and save the seeds. A great garden frugalista activity.

Big birthday coming up for Mike this week. He will be 30 on Friday. WOW!

As we start the month of November I am reminded that the first snowfall last year was November 12. My garden pictures are an unpleasant reminder. Today was beautiful though and the gardens are being readied for the annual layer of snow.

Out Collecting Leaves

While everyone else is out raking and blowing their leaves to the curb I am out collecting some of the best compost for my garden. As I drive around I look for the best piles of finely shredded leaves that have a little of the late autumn grass clippings mixed in. My garbage can is in the back of the jeep and whenever I find those perfect piles I stop and fill up my garbage can. Then it is spread out over my perennials and new garden areas. I have been amazed at the amount of earth worms that will be present in the leaf compost after just one season on the ground. The Perrysburg clay soil will still be present but at least there will be some extra nutrients near the surface.

I am adding space this year around the bird bath. I hope to make this a cutting garden with flowers that not only attract the birds but are also good for cutting and bringing into the house in vases. I have loved the Sheffield Daisy bouquets this fall from just a few rooting last year. The roses have loved the fall weather too and I have enjoyed having the fresh flowers in the house.

Sheffield Daisy from garden

Sheffields outside by garage year 1

They didn't bloom until the middle of October but are looking good through 2 hard frosts.

 

 

It hasn't been a year

I have decided that I need to start converting my blog into a garden history.  I have started so many projects in the yard and a good place to keep track of the changes will be through the blog. So... Starting today I am uploading pictures- past and present of my gardens and we all can watch the changes. Of course I will try to include a little family activity along with the garden notes. Hope everyone is enjoying this fall weather.

Halloween

I visited AJ at school for the Halloween costume parade and party. He was dressed as Iron Man.

 

 In the classroom they had a party and made skeleton figures from their names. I got to meet his teacher, Mr. Dugan. AJ attends Beverly School this year.

 

The interesting thing about Halloween this year is that because it was cold, windy and rainy the city of Toledo (and many outlaying areas) postponed trick or treating until Sunday night. I do not remember that ever happening when I was a child. I can remember wearing winter coats under costumes and splashing through puddles. Times change!

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of new pictures

The island garden is "sleeping" now waiting for spring to see how well we have done. The final phases were to finish planting and then to spread leaf mulch over everything. This form of gardening is called lasagna gardening because you build it in layers. No need to kill the grass or till the soil. Much easier on the back. It is recommended that a trench is dug to outline the bed and prevent the grass roots from entering next year. Steve was my trencher. Going around the neighborhood collecting piles of mown grass clippings and shredded leaves this time of year  is easy. It almost feels like stealing when everyone has them all piled up and sitting there  waiting for the taking. I have been driving around with a garbage can in the back of the Jeep and pick up a load whenever I see one. This picture shows the beginning of the mulching process. I still hadn't planted the native grasses here either.

 

 

This is just another view or the mulching and below is with the grasses planted. I am trying to take several views of the garden to help remind me next spring how things are suppose to look.

Finally we have here the trench and most of the leaf mulch in place. As Steve dug out the trench we decided that the West side needed to be a little rounder so the bed got just a little bigger. Space for a few more plants next spring. 

  How beautiful the fall colors are this year so the last picture is just out the back yard. We never tire of the view. 

 

 The Three year garden process is that in year one the garden sleeps.  Year Two it creeps, and in year three it leaps with full glory.