In between all the big work of the nursery and greenhouse, I snatch moments in my own garden life. I don't do marathon gardening sessions like I used to. Even less now. Here is my list of garden jobs you can do in small snatches of time and still enjoy gardening on your terms:
- Weeding. You don't have to do the whole garden all at once. If you have to pick and choose, get the ones that are starting to flower first. Get a small hand cultivator (single hook for small spaces is my choice) and work small patches. Something is better than nothing.
- Watering. Most plants are better off allowing to dry in between watering. Concentrate on containers first and do it in sections so you aren't out there for hours. Consider soaker hoses and drip lines where it makes sense. Turn it on and have a beer.
- Planting. It doesn't have to get done all at once. Prep an area and plant. Have another beer. Prep another area and plant. Do a little each day, don't save it all for the weekend. A hidden reward in planting over time, especially with edible crops, is your garden keeps producing all summer long. The one caveat is to watch the days to maturity on your seed packets. Don't wait too long on those long season crops or you will be disappointed. Space out greens, herbs, and short season root crops for extended harvest.
- Harvesting. My favorite thing in mid-summer is to take my morning coffee out to the garden early in the morning. The neighbors are sleeping, but the birds are singing. What better atmosphere can you ask for if you have some work to do? Morning is also the best time to harvest many things since they are not wilted by the heat of the day. Keep buckets or bags in a small deck box or even a plastic covered bin so they are always handy when you find yourself picking more than fits in your hooded sweatshirt.
- Dead heading. Yup, you really should pull, pinch, or snip off those spent flower heads. Early in the season, this will keep your plants blooming better. If you plan on collecting seed, then you should let some go later in the season so the seed can mature on the plant. Keep a garden scissors or snips in the same box or hang it on a hook by the door. If you don't have to look for your tools, you are more likely to do the job. Purchase a couple so you can keep them close to different garden areas. You can also enjoy a beer while doing this task.
- Smelling the flowers. Don't forget that the main reason you garden is for the beauty of it all. Put chairs out where you can sit and enjoy the fruits of your labor. I like to have sitting areas in the most unexpected places. It is fun to look at things from various perspectives. And have another beer.
Fall is a busy time. I haven't been on the computer much let alone writing about all the stuff I have been getting done out in the yard and kitchen. Rather than try to document it all in separate postings, I decided I have to do it in one so I can keep track of my activities for next year.
TO CLEAN OR NOT TO CLEAN...
Different people have different ideas about whether or not you should clean out your gardens in fall. I clean mine out for many reasons. First, I collect seeds and it is easier to do if I collect as I go. This way I can get down to the small stuff and collect that as well as the tall stuff. I save seed from several annuals. Asters, zinnias, marigolds, larkspur, love-in-the-mist, thunbergia, and nasturtiums are the usual suspects. I collect them in envelopes and hang them in my basement with clothes pins on hangers. I also shake out the plants to direct seed for next spring, allysum and love-in-the-mist are good for this as well as larkspur and cosmos. You have to be patient next spring to give them time to bloom. Another reason for cleaning out the garden is to take advantage of the city pick up of some of the vegetation like the old tomato vines and such. They only do this in the fall so that is when you have to get it to the curb. Leaves and such find their home at the municipal nursery. I used to work there and it was always interesting to see what was going to pop out off the leaf covered fields the next year. Several things still remain standing especially the flowering kale which still stops people in their tracks.
HARVEST, BUY, PRESERVE, AND DO IT AGAIN...
I was on a mission this fall to really take advantage of what I could from the local farm markets. I share this with my daughters who are both out of the house. I get some help from them in return with all the cutting, peeling, and canning to get it all done. We also were able to get half a steer from a local farmer. My husband and daughter were both successful in the Wisconsin deer season this year. You have to make hay while the sun shines.
FALL CAMPING...
I have missed many years of fall camping because school and sport schedules didn't allow us the freedom to flee. This year we got out of town on a regular basis to state parks, private campgrounds, and family cottages as the weather got colder and wetter. Empty nesting has been very, very good for us.
CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE...
We went out and cut our tree in the next county this past weekend. I also have been collecting trimmings and grapevines to hanging up and string lights. Next on the list is cookie baking and eventually, I will have to shop...I hate shopping. I want to get some cards out, if only I can find the stamps I bought last month.
DARKNESS HAS FALLEN...
The days have gotten so short that I feel like I am cramming several hours worth of work into the limited daylight hours. After all that, I sit down and fall asleep. My children love to tease me about my ability to zone out immediately. I try to motivate myself, but it just ain't happening.
Merry Christmas to one and all!
