Getting Ready for a Winter's Nap

Monday, October 29, 2007

Now, that's a welcome sight for every gardener I know! Dirt. Pay dirt, you ask? No... I paid for it. :-)

I couldn't get a picture of it all, because I was standing on the back bumper of the pickup. Of course I didn't take a photo until I'd already removed two wheelbarrow loads... but, you get the general idea. (The pickup bed was probably 1/2 full.)

I had exactly 3 hours to remove the dirt and spread it around. Not only did I do it, I even prepared three beds (removed the fallen leaves, shredded them with others from the lawn, and replaced a thin layer on the bed) before adding the dirt. (Whew!) I was running out of time, so I sprinkled the dirt on the fallen leaves in the other beds. I'll rake those beds later.


Tuesday, October 30, 2007

I raked and shredded more leaves today. I have a "carry bag" full of them, just waiting to be distributed. I didn't get photos taken. Just too many other things going on these days. Am a bit anxious about being able to get to everything I want done this Fall.

The above photo shows a hosta (I didn't identify it) dressed for Fall. Next to it you might notice one interesting leaf. Peer into the photo, as there are two others coming along...one on the far left, and one near the top left. They are Arum Italicum. A very nice gardening blogger recently posted photos of his (!) just as I was about to ask "What is this?" (I'd been too lazy to look at catalogs or past orders.) I thought they might be fun to grow, and I seemed to remember that they get orange berries in the Fall. (I was right!) Click on the plant name for details.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Ta-dah! Look at that gorgeous mulch!
(Yikes! Notice that full truck bed!)
Oh, well... it's another beautiful day.

I took the liberty of spending most of the morning walking trails around town with a good walking buddy! We spent a generous three hours walking and talking! :-)

So... during the course of the afternoon, I was able first (!) plant a new shrub/mid-sized tree that I am so excited about having purchased. It's a Pagoda Dogwood, and you can find information by clicking on its name. My friend with whom I walk weekly has one and its fall leaves are beautiful!

This photo makes it look pretty impressive... at this moment, it's only about 3 feet tall.

With only one mid-afternoon break, I was able to mulch the bed you're getting a glimpse of, as well as two other beds in the backyard. I also mulched three front yard beds and all the raised beds. Plans for tomorrow (weather permitting) include raking the two largest backyard beds, shredding leaves and distributing a shallow layer (maybe) and placing mulch on these beds.

Whew! Wouldn't that be a great day's work?

I'll post my progress tomorrow night... meanwhile, not only is it shady out there, it's Dark and about bedtime!

More Anglewings!

You must get excited about today's discovery!

Early this afternoon, as I was headed 'round the corner of the house for the compost pile with a load of nice, healthy (soon to expire) coleus and my compost container from the kitchen counter, I was surprised by a sudden flurry of wings. I quickly recognized anglewing butterflies... and assumed it was another batch of Question Marks.

Wrong! This time I had encountered a myriad of Commas. They're noticeably smaller than Question Marks. Check out the October 2, 2007 post entitled "Ah Anglewings" .

You will probably first notice the angled tan/brown wings
of the Comma in the center of the photo below.
But, look closely!
The one just to the right of the tan butterfly is Very Well camouflaged.
It's nearly the color of the tree bark.

(You might want to click on the photo to get a closer view.)

Looking again at the butterflies above, do you see the metallic "comma" on the underwing?

How about this colorful shot?

And, here's a perspective as to the size of the butterfly.

They were hanging around this oak tree due to sap that was leaking.
(I'm going to check with the biologist at the Extension Office about that!)

Red Admirals like sweet stuff, too!
(and green bottle flies and Asian ladybird beetles)

Just one more item showing its fall colors.

Now... That's Shady!
(And I don't mean to imply that just because it's in the shade!)

Watching Fall Arrive...

In My Backyard.

October 13, 2007.

October 20, 2007.

October 25, 2007.Nearly the same trees... just different angles.

And this is what I saw this morning when I looked UP!

The backyard will be soon less shady...
and more "leafy-on-the-groundy."
:-)

Just a Little Peek at Fall Front-Yard Maintenance

This is a fun tool!

When I just feel like walking around,
I push this little brush roller,
the leaves fly into the "hopper,"
and I dump them onto the tarp.
I do actually enjoy raking, though.

(This tarp is probably a good 20 feet long.)
I'll measure tomorrow.

Can you tell where I've picked up leaves?

(The tree in the photo above is a shagbark hickory.)
Doesn't the yard look nice in the photo below?
(It will last about one or two days! ha.)

These are photos of my other favorite fun "tool."It works with two folded plastic trimmer "strings."
(Earplugs are a necessity!)

Our yard doesn't have enough grass to mow to warrant one of those fancy riding mowers with the bags on the back... like most of my neighbors have. But, that's okay. I can still shred my leaves! I get to determine the size of the shredded material, and the bulk is greatly reduced... to that of about 1/4 - 1/3 of the original.

You can set the shredder on a tarp, or attach a leaf bag to the bottom.

If I haul leaves to the ravine, I can get Many more on the tarp if they're shredded. Our trees are primarily Oak, so if I want to use leaves as mulch, I shred them so they'll degrade much faster.

And, some of them go into my good old compost pile! :-) Nothing "shady" about that!

What I found

While taking a tour around the backyard...

Tricyrtis Hirta "Variegata"These plants didn't get very tall. They're in a shady, prone-to-be-dry spot.
But this one bloomed!
Photo taken October 10, 2007.

Looking Back for a Moment...

Looking back at this past August...
Honeybees in Sedum

Lilyturf
(actually, I planted two varieties together... this sign says Liriope Spicatica,
but I'm not sure this is correct. One variety has pink flowers; the other has purple.)

Finally... painting the shed!

But check out the "neighborhood!" (poison ivy) :-)

A view of the raised beds.
Sorry about the compost pile on the right and the
chicken wire fence on the left...
The first will eventually be somewhat concealed,
and the second will at some point be replaced (I hope!).

And a close-up of the Purple Coneflower.

In Memory...

of my sister Barbie.

My sister was killed one year ago today by a hit-and-run driver. She'd gotten up early (as usual) to walk her little dog. They were walking the crosswalk about 2 1/2 blocks from home (at 5:45 a.m.) when it happened.

It's still hard to believe that I can't just call her on the telephone. She has a wonderful family and I try to keep in touch.

There are no answers to "why" questions.

But I do know that we can continue to reflect on the favorite memories... of sister trips, family raising, growing up, etc. And we can miss her.

But in my heart of hearts, I know that our lives last but an instant compared to the infinity of time. And I know that there will be a grand reunion some day in the not-too-distant future.