Things in the garden are starting to slow down. The days are getting noticebly shorter, I now don’t find it imperative to be in the garden by 5:30 to get everything done that needs to be done before the heat of the day. Now I find myself lounging around until 5:30 and not really moving until 6. A lovely sleep in. The flowers are also starting to slow down. Oh they are still growing and blooming but just a a slower pace. I like that.
Clean up is beginning in some of the beds. Some of the flowers, like the asters, have just had enough of the wet and although they show beautiful color from a distance, they are shot and getting pulled. I am only pulling half though because they are still swarming with bees and butterflies who are obviously enjoying the nectar. The high winds we have had have broken many stems of the cosmos and the sunflowers so I am also cutting many of these back. At least enough so I can get down the paths to harvest the remaining flowers. Again, leaving some that have gone by for the bees and the birds. The finches just love the seed heads of the cosmos and I have waves of finches and chickadee’s raiding the sunflower heads. It is just so beautiful to see all the action happening in the garden.
The flowers that are getting cut are either getting composted, for future soil building, or better yet, making the feather and fur creatures happy. Recycling at its best I think.
There are still lots of flowers to choose from at the flower shed. Still lots of zinnias, celosia, a beautiful second flush of lisianthus, dahlias, sunflowers and more.
Just a reminder. i am planning to shut the flower shed on Friday Oct 8 for the season. Weather permitting. If you purchased a flower card this year you still have another year left. If you purchased your card last year and you have credit left, you have 4 weeks remaining to use it up. Just saying in case you have forgotten.
Until next week. Allie