Fall Vegetables Emerge

 

Lettuce seedlings

Back earlier in September I planted lettuce and carrots in a large planter, so that I'll have fresh veggies on into the winter for myself and my bunnies. Both are plants that can handle cooler temperatures.  Plus, once freezing temperatures come, I'll move the planter into my pop-up greenhouse, which should keep them going quite a while.

Vita brevis

Why is it that plants start to really flourish when it's so close to frost!




"Blushing Susie" vine (thunbergia)

Bringing Plants Indoors

With the coming of fall, I've been watching the weather forecasts for a different reason.  As the nights grow cooler, it will soon be time to bring in for the winter any tender plants that I want to keep.

Fall Planting Time

Don't forget as temperatures moderate, that fall is the best time to plant not only spring-blooming bulbs, but also shrubs, perennials and most trees.  By planting in the fall, you give the plants three seasons to establish a good root system before summer's heat.  Do go ahead now; it's best not to plant after the end of October.  You want to give the plant time to establish some roots before winter hits.

Fruit Flies

Fruit fly trap in covered box

In late summer, when so many people are bringing harvested fruits and vegetables in from the garden, or home from the farmer's market, is the time when we are most likely to find tiny gnat-like insects flying around in our kitchens.  These tiny insects are fruit flies.  They are brought into our homes as unwanted guests on the fresh produce, or are drawn to the smell of the produce, and squeeze in through even very small cracks around windows or doors.

Mid-September Harvest

Here's a photo of what I picked from my garden today.  I enjoyed fresh tomatoes at noon, and this evening, had sweet corn and cantaloupe.  Tomorrow evening I plan to have pepper steak.

War on Weeds: Sandburs

In the late summer and into early fall, one of the things my dog and I encounter on our walks is sandburs: a nasty weed with prickly burs that stick in a dog's fur, and between the pads of his feet.  There are a few yards in the neighborhood that are infested with sandburs along the edges of the sidewalk.  Theo gets them in his feet and stuck in the fluffy fur of his legs.

After we get back home, I have to carefully work the burs out of his hair.  If I don't get them all, he pulls them out and drops them on the floor all over the house, or drops them outside in our yard, where they will try to populate my yard with the weeds.