It's Snowtime

Earlier today, the only place accumulating the light snow was the catnip growing behind the garage. Now, however, I see the patio table is collecting it. Hope it isn't too scary by morning.

This is after the wind came through on Monday evening and removed leaves and limbs from trees and panels from greenhouses.

Happy Pumpkin Day!

Along with the rest of the garden, the pumpkin patch was on its own this year. No weeding, no watering. Two pie pumpkins make it through.

We have been having some frosts, so tonight, these guys where harvested just in time to do their duty on the front steps...even if it is just us who will see them! Our sweet neighbors already "treated" us with goodies, before the pumpkins make it out. Enjoy your evening, everyone!

Opening Day of Frost Season

Looked out the window this morning to see frost out on the grass. And in the garden. Guess the trees will really start showing their fall colors now.

Home Again

Nothing quite like that first cup of coffee at home after a vacation... here, in a cup found at Memento Park in Budapest.

We've had lots of moving history, beautiful sights, good food and drink in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Germany.

Now a beautiful day here at home. Me and my cup of coffee will now go tour the jungle formerly known as Petunia's Garden.

My Garden Looks After Me

What a nice surprise to finally slink out to the garden and find a little dinner (some weeks ago). Without watering (or rain) the beans are not so prolific, especially the runner beans. These purple climbing beans have produced just enough for dinner now and then. The tomatoes probably had too much shade from giant hyssop plants and not enough water for a bumper crop.

I cannot complain. I've left the gardening to the bees this year. ... and Petunia (the snake). They've done a fine job, just to their tastes.

Too many trips and interruptions this summer, but these years happen.

Another (fun) trip later in September and then a good fall garden sort out is on the calendar for October!

Beans

Yeah! The beans are climbing out of the garden chaos.
Now for the race to the top!

And we have had a Petunia (snake) sighting in the garden. I just hope she doesn't venture to the pond where the little frogs are sometimes venturing out of the water.

In the Garden

The new residents have been in the garden with me. It didn't take old Missouri long to find the catnip in the garden. He is around 17 years and doesn't seem to see well. Try to keep him in sight, though, and he is gone in a flash! He seems to remember how to find the garage door, at least.

The beans are starting to reach the bean climber. Really, this is the last year for the now wobbly bean climber!

Cindy (Cinders or Cinderella) is all about meat though! I think she is checking out a critter trail. I hope she doesn't go after the Petunias (snakes).

I'm trying to fit a little garden clean up in each night. While I've been occupied, it became quite the jungle. But that also makes for happy garden critters.

Garden Dolly

One of the things I brought back from Kansas is this lightweight, but sturdy, dolly/hand truck. Pretty sure my dad had made it about 40 years ago (but not for a garden). As you can see, it is just the thing for moving the window cloches I like. They are heavy and awkward to carry but now I'm set!

It was time to move the cloches from the tomatoes and thin out the borage. All four tomatoes had grown up through the top of their cloches while I was gone.

This row was intended to hold some vegetables this year, but the herbs and flowers have filled it up. Much better than a row of weeds and grass at least. The catnip is huge already this year. I'm surprised since it has been so cool and rainy.

Recent Adventures

I'm back in Washington after two plus weeks. And I've returned with possible new garden assistants! My Mom, her three pets and I just drove the 1,800+ miles from Kansas to Washington. Her household stuff for her apartment won't arrive until later this week.

I suggested some garden work until then, but she isn't convinced it is warm enough outside (I'm happy about that after enduring days of near 100 degrees while we packed & loaded stuff in KS).

A Rose of Sharon from KS. The mimosa trees were blooming too, but the wind didn't let me take a clear photo.

The cats settled in to travel very well (& I think they appreciated air conditioning). The dog likes car trips. The car developed had a few mechanical issues, but the Park City UT Ford shop took care of us.

DH planted my broccoli, lettuce, pumpkin and squash seedlings while I was gone. The beans, peas and tomatoes really grew also. I hope to get out there, and around to visit your garden blogs, sometime this week.

Updates, Updates

Things are moving along even if I'm not keeping up with them:

• Many, many tadpoles in the pond
• Tomato plants are in the garden, under window frame cloches
• Peas are growing
• Broccoli seedlings sprouted
• Lettuce seedlings sprouted
• Chard seedlings sprouted
• Pumpkin & squash seeds planted
• Really need to plant the beans, carrots and beets
• Hedgerow plantings are growing, although hard to visualize it as a hedgerow
• Kansas house is on the market

We've had a nice time with visiting family. There are more visits to and visits from family in the next two months. If the rain stops, I'm looking forward to a few breaks in the garden!