Fall cleanup

Pburgh · #1 10-05-2008, 08:50 PM

Actually it was fun today. The weather was perfect and I got busy. I had my grasses tied up and I cut black garbage bags into wide strips and made great big black bows for around all of them. They look pretty cool. I had silk fall leaves and tucked them in and around the bows and I liked that. All I need are a few mums and some pumpkins and my front yard looks pretty good. No, I didn't forget the back. I did the same back there although not to many people see it - but I do!!! That's important that it look festive.

I cut back my scarlet runner beans and harvested the beans. Anyone want some? I know Petal does and I'll send them. Someone wanted the pepper plant seeds too. Who was that? Was it Janet? Let me know. I cut back my Wisteria - I know, I'll probably have no blooms again, but it looks neat and tidy and I love the foliage of that vine even if it doesn't bloom. I cut back a few rose bushes ---- no, I just trimmed them and didn't cut them wayyyy back. My yellow floribunda rose bush is putting on a show and it smells like heaven (My favorite rose bush ever). My Fourth of July climing rose bush is still blooming. It has a wonderful peppery scent that I love. I potted the variagated Brugmansia and I'll get it ready to overwinter in the garage. I sure hope it makes it. It looks so healthy as I planted it in the ground and it really loved it. I'm bringing in my Gardenia tonight. We had a little frost this morning and I'm really going to try and overwinter it in the house. Wish me luck. Nothing smells better than gardenia unless it's Johnson's baby power and all their baby products. LOL Rebecca will find out soon enough.

I was going to cut back my twiggy dogwood but have laundry in the dryer and don't want to be like Rhonda and work my a$$ off. (although it could use a little working off -- LOL) Rhonda, I love you but you work way too hard.

What's everyone else doing to prepare for Fall and Winter? I made some vegetable soup. That is a definite smell that signals that Fall is here. Carol came over yesterday and I shared the soup with her and also with the kids that live next door. (Great neighbors!)

Yes, Fall is here and even though it's not my favorite season with everything seeming to come to an end ---- it smells wonderful and is a season for cleaning house and getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas (two of my favorite holidays). Thanksgiving my kids and their families will be home and I can pamper, cook and nurture - the things I love to do most. I don't know why that Fall makes me think of Craig more and more but I'm OK with that too.

Danaus29 · #2 10-06-2008, 01:25 AM

Yes I work my a-- off, but most of the work is because of the livestock. Sometimes I think I'd rather have a regular job, not as much work.

Did you know you can dig the runner bean roots and save them to grow next year? I can't remember how to store them though. Might find it on a google search.

We spent part of today working on David's house. The back wall is in baaaaadddd shape and needs to be totally replaced. Along with all the interior wall along that side. We plan on making and installing passive solar heat panels, have to get that done soon, it's been chilly in the mornings and since that house is mostly concrete block it stays cool. And we've been picking up branches and cutting down broken trees, thanks to Ike. I've been picking up and hulling black walnuts and since Christmas craft shows are coming up I have been making a few pieces of jewlery a week. (Rebekah has lost interest and I have too much money in the material to let it set there) I've been reseeding the yard with grass and trying to keep ahead of the leaves. As soon as the sycamore leaves start falling I need to start bagging them for the rabbits (I could not find hay anywhere last year and didn't save enough leaves to last till spring).

Bird Lover · #3 10-08-2008, 11:20 PM

OK you two, stop piling the guilt on me. I've been sewing for the past couple of weekends. Just got the bug to make something, & once I start, there's no stopping me. Leo went around the yard, front & back, putting all the fall & Halloween decorations out. He even hung strings of orange & purple lights. He's a big kid! So, my gardens are still waiting for me to clean up. But they are not quite finished anyway. Some things are still blooming here & there. I cut long branches from my curly willow, to keep in a vase. They look nice in arrangements. I have to harvest some Golden Rain Tree branches with the brown seed pods, love them too. I meant to cut some Autumn Joy Sedum to root them. I'll get to that on the weekend. That is if I finish my sewing project!

Danaus29 · #4 10-09-2008, 12:01 AM

Hey, I would NEVER knock someone for sewing anything! Granted I won't do it (oh yeah, I know how, did it for years, I just HATE, HATE, HATE it so) but I know the skill and concentration that goes into it. It's one of those skills people are gradually forgetting about and will be lost if someone doesn't keep doing and teaching it.

Pburgh · #5 10-09-2008, 01:40 PM

Pat, what are you making?? I used to sew years ago too. I really liked it.

We had a frost night before last. Not a really bad one but enough that I had to pull a few of my potted plants together on the porch and cover them.