The End Is Near

First Snow

Can you believe we received our first snow on October 31st, so does this mean we will have 31 snows this winter? Now I am a lover of winter and snow, but I might just tire of it after number 24. What I do like about northwest Ohio, is the four season change. I don't like grey days and extreme heat, but I can adjust to what ever it is because one thing for sure it will change.

We have been preparing our gardens for winter over the last three weeks. We have been cutting plants back and deciding what ones we will prune next spring. Some summer bulbs need dug, like cannas and bring in planters that won't survive our harsh winters.

The fall color has been magnificent this year. Temperatures  have been just right to give us the big show. We do a lot of hand raking of the leaves, but we also mulch with the good old John Deere. We don't compost with them and I know we should. I do amend my soil in the spring with composted manure. For fertilizer this year I totally used Annie Havens Moo Poo Tea. My gardens have never been more beautiful.

Fallen Leaves

Today our Weeping Mulberry dropped its leaves in one mass drop. It made it easy to clean up. I would guess the snow and the drop of temperatures stepped up the process. Our Cleveland Pear hasn't had its color change. It is one of the last to loose its leaves. Now I really don't want to mislead you , but I do have this wonderful lawn boy (Fred) that takes care of cleaning up the lawn. I take care of the flowers, because he can be a little aggressive and some things may be gone forever. We each have passions, his is a beautiful lawn and it is a perfect frame for my gardens. There is a science of having a beautiful lawn. Properly attended grass will overcome weeds. Love walking barefoot. It is soft and feels so cool to your feet. He fertilizes the last time around the first of November.

Weeping Mulberry

Artistic Form

We have been cleaning our tools and equipment to put into storage. The garden art that needs to get out of the freezing temperatures is put away. We have drained the garden hoses and have had the irrigation system blown out. The snow blower has been put in position for quick access.

It has been a wonderful summer. We seemed to get rains just when we needed them. Not the case for some of you gardeners. Our farmers are harvesting a bumper crop. God is good. As we wrap up another year let us count our blessings. Looking forward to a rest, but will be looking for the first signs of spring before we can blink an eye.

That's a Wrap

Sue and Louise