Preserving Fall Leaves, Part 1

Drying leaves in a book

Fall leaves are so beautiful, with so many gorgeous colors and shapes.  I collect some of them for decorating, along with acorns and pine cones. There are ways to preserve leaves, so that you can enjoy them longer.

Fall Color

 

Red maple

The last few days, trees here have started to show their fall colors.  As I drive to and from work, and as the dog and I go for our walks, at every turn of a corner there's a new and colorful view.  The maple in the photo is a tree in my back yard. 



Scraping Continued

Here's the results of the last several evenings. 

Summer and Fall

Moss rose, zinnias, and mums

One of my flower beds is pictured at right. My moss rose is still blooming, lasting long enough to  be seen right next to the white mums.

Carrot Seedlings

The veggies I planted last month are continuing to grow.  Pictured here are the carrots. They're growing in a large wheeled container, so I can move it into my little greenhouse before the first hard freeze. It's unheated, but even so, these carrots will give me and my bunnies fresh crunchies later this winter.

Spreading Compost

This weekend, I've been taking the finished compost from my largest compost bin to spread in my garden beds. This bin is the one where I put most of my fall leaves and chopped up garden debris. Since the bin doesn't rotate, and I don't turn it very often, it composts slowly.  I just leave it to break down on its own, and then remove the finished compost from the bottom door when it's ready.

Potted Parsley

With winter coming, one of the things the bunnies and I really miss is all of the wonderful fresh herbs from the garden.  In the summer, I grow parsley, rosemary, basil, chives, and several kinds of mint.  Every summer morning, I bring in a "bunny salad" of various greens and herbs for the rabbits.  I use a lot of these herbs in my cooking too.