Another month over half gone, it's insane how fast it flies. The days are buzzing by, and the gardens are beginning their waning process. I mourn this part of the season every year, it's hard on me at times. I've finally resigned myself to posting the picture below. It was taken last week and by yesterday, nearly the entire plant was in bloom. I cannot recall it's true/technical name, but for over 20 years, I've referred to it as the "Heralder of Autumn." I always know when it's going to bloom - once our giant crepe myrtles are completely covered in blooms, then this guy is next to burst out. He's also the last one in the summer bloom line-up. It's bittersweet. He's beautiful, but he signals something I'm never ready for, that change of seasons away from tomatoes and flowers.
But life goes on, thankfully! There are new things coming along. Look at these babies. Aren't they adorable? A few of the pumpkins are getting quite large, as you can see in the first picture. Others are just now coming along. By mid-October, I'm truly hoping we'll have pumpkins for the picking that last through Thanksgiving. If we get ten or so nice ones, I'll be thrilled. We did not overplant this year, so we'll see how it goes.
Speaking of babies, there are two cuties below. Bunny's fat, plush babies had a grand time last night playing outside. After two days of storms and being cooped up quite a bit, they were ready to go out and play and roll in dirt and get yelled at to "DON'T EAT THAT, DROP IT!" My little boy in front of that fan kills me. He really does make it a point to lay in front of it for a little bit most nights. The babies are smart and sweet and happy.
There are parts of September and the inevitable change of season that I'm truly looking forward to because, as we all know, pumpkin everything bursts out all over the place. And I am a pumpkin girl bigtime. For me, it's that trip to Peggy Ann's to pick up a dozen pumpkin donuts that really pushes me into the happy place for the new season. If you have to give up your beautiful gardens and tomato sandwiches with Dukes mayonnaise, then those donuts certainly offer some comfort! They're generally only available on Fridays and they prefer that you place an order. No problem, I'll be doing just that!
More than once, I get the question about the flower gardens and how long they bloom. The answer is generally that it depends on East Tennessee weather! But if Autumn doesn't carry too early of a frost or freeze, then we can see odds and ends of the flower beds still blooming in October. Having said that, what I mean is that the beds are mostly done, but we do continue to see some still pop out, and so we leave the beds alone for the lost-minute pollinators. We've had butterflies and bees that late in the year, so we don't upheave the beds until we know the flowers are truly finished. It's beautiful to see those flowers with orange pumpkins, believe it or not.
1 comment:
Yes, summer is winding down heralding autumn and it's kind of sad...I used to love fall, but it's not my favorite any more. I think I like spring best, now. Winter has always been last, with summer 2nd to last. But the fav line up these days it spring, summer, fall, winter..chronological order, which is kind of funny.
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