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!
I am just finishing up a nice, long vacation at home which has been especially nice since my husband and youngest daughter were around for most of it. I am thankful for those lazy days we spent with each other in the comfort of the living room as well as the walks that we shared as part of his knee rehabilitation.
This morning I woke up and knew that this was the day that my indoor gardening was going to have to take priority. To start the day, I got myself a cup of coffee, my seed catalogs, my box of leftover seeds, and a notebook. It was time to start planning this summer's garden.
Planning is the key to enjoying garden the most. If you don't lay out some sort of structure to where you are headed in the coming season you will be disappointed. I like to order my seeds early so the varieties I want are still in stock. If something is not available, it gives me the time to get something as a replacement. This is really important if you are starting some of your plants indoors yourself. It is important if you want the newest plants that the magazines tell you you just have to have. It also gives you time to seek out sources for some of the plants and seeds you saw last season but didn't get.
If you don't have one already and you are saving seeds from year to year, now is the time to invest in one of those cheap, plastic shoe boxes and a few index cards. You probably have your seeds stuffed into jars and envelopes and aren't really sure where they all are. By dividing your seed into categories such as herbs, leafy veggies, garden start veggies, greenhouse start veggies, annual flowers, and perennial flowers you are able to quickly access those seeds you will need earlier. Don't throw out your empty packets just yet. I will come to that soon.
Now that you have all your seeds in one place start to make a list by categories. Note the varieties of each type of seed, the year you purchased them, and the approximate quantity especially if it is low. Many seeds can be used for several years and you may have more than you need already in your possession. If there are seeds that you don't like, pass them on or toss them out. Make room for what you really want. Now you have a working inventory so you know what you need from the catalog and what areas you have more than enough in. You can spend your seed money much more wisely now. This will also open up avenues to try new things that will fit into your budget.
I do something with my empty packets other than stick them at the end of my garden rows. I put mine in the back of my seed box so I have them there for information reference to germination, thinning, and transplanting. They stay there until the next year when I order so I remember the varieties that I planted and really liked. Those go on my must-buy list the following year. I also remember the ones that I didn't like and don't reorder again. If you are a seed saver, you can reuse the envelope for the saved seed. I wish I had the refrigerator space for my seeds, but they get a cool, dark corner of the basement instead. I cold treat the seeds that need it when the time comes.
After several cups of coffee, I finally had the list I really want for this spring's seeds. I am going to do more of my own annual flowers and I also had a few varieties of vegetables that I want to try. I finally got down to my basement and transplanted my cutting plants and cleaned things up. It really feels like spring is on the way and it is only January 2nd.
