Assessment Time in Fall

There are times in the year's procession when you look back, and then look forward. New Years, January 1 is one of those times, but for the gardener, the end of the growing season is surely one as well.

My vegetable garden was a bust this year. I did not harvest even the poor crops I had growing. Even the Swiss chard which grew back strongly on its own accord went unused, although I think I could harvest some yet, for delicious addition to quiche, if I wish.

I pulled out and trimmed down the 'Cameo' chaenomeles, quince bush. I was too tired to try and replant, same goes for the Annabelle hydrangea I unceremoniously grubbed out from its space. It's crime? It was shading the lower part of my prized hinoki gracilis. I allow nothing to mess with the health and wellbeing of my hinoki cypress.

I planted some new starts of the bonfire Euphorbia where I had pulled out the quince and a huge amount of quackgrass. Because of its nature I will be fighting the quackgrass roots next year, too. But I hope the Euphorbia takes hold and protects the lily bulbs from rodent damage.

I had a poison ivy reaction for the first time in my life- due to pulling out a cartload during the heat of summer. I still have lots to pull out. Increased bird visits seem to have resulted in a number of bird disseminated plants. Everyone else here is so highly allergic so that it is my sole responsibility to get rid of the poison ivy. And it seems to love it here.

I would love to try and get some bulbs in at the last minute...and make some seed bombs during the time when work in the garden is unpleasant.

The windstorms did terrible things to my still new green house. My husband put things back together to try anew this coming year. Thanks, honey!