Countdown to Halloween

How many spiders call your garden home? By some estimates and depending on the type of garden you have (grassy, forested, etc.) it could be thousands or tens of thousands. They clearly are the most abundant predator in gardens..


This is the time of year when the large orb weavers spin their webs across the garden paths, making early-morning walks treacherous, but right now a few other spiders have my attention: the ones decorating the front porch!

Read more...

Melons

At the start of this month I posted about the melons that I'm growing in containers on my deck. At the time I was concerned that there wouldn't be enough time for any of these fruits to ripen, that the cold weather would arrive too soon.


Well, we've had a remarkably warm September, and the fruits are now ready! The harvest has been small, with each plant producing only one or two useful melons, but since that's the most I've ever gotten from a melon plant anyway, I'm happy with a small harvest!

Read more...

More jewels

Jewels of Opar is not the only plant that's producing masses of tiny red gems in my garden right now.


The genus that really takes over the garden in early autumn is Persicaria, with Persicaria virginiana 'Painter's Palette' taking the stage in the front garden with its diminutive blooms.

Read more...

One-word Wednesday: Jewels




Read more...

Surprises

Today I want to talk about some things in the garden that have surprised me recently. Starting with this passionflower vine...


...growing into the bathroom window. On the second floor. I have no idea how it's supporting itself to get this high, since there is no trellis here, and they climb by tendrils, not sticky pads.

Read more...

A place to stand

Back in the garden this weekend after more than 10 days, and the cool weather inspired me to do some digging. As most of these projects go, we start with a quite boring "before" photo:


This is the point where the original walkway to the front door meets the driveway. As you may already know, I created the walkway that connects to the street a couple of years ago, but this is the path that we take when the car is parked on the driveway. It's awkward.

Read more...

Just looking

I thought I'd end the week with a few views that I particularly like in the garden right now.


The southeast corner of the house is really coming together, even though I need to remove the climbing rose that is hidden from view by the papyrus in this shot. What would I do without grasses?

Read more...

Love this vine!

I post about the maypop (Passiflora involucrata incarnata) vine a few times each year, but I just can't help it. The blooms are so beautiful, intricate, and fragrant, the vine is vigorous and attractive...


What's not to love about this cold-hardy native?

Read more...

What is it? Fish food!

Do you know what this is? I'm talking about the little squiggles in the bottom of the cup.



For a hint, this is some rainwater that was left standing for a few days (it picked up some tea-like coloring from soil or leaves). If you said "mosquito larvae" you're right!

Read more...

  © Blogger template Shush by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP