Showing posts with label Late Fall Garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Late Fall Garden. Show all posts

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Fallin' for You...

I know I'm in trouble when I have to stop and take a photo of every single beautiful tree I cross! Even making myself late for work, classes, and, dare I say, getting my daughter to a party! But, she's a good sport and just rolls her eyes with a "C'mon, Mom!" And no matter how many maple trees I snap, each one takes my breath away! Please, please, tell me I'm not the only nut out there...please!

Most of my garden chores are done, though I've still a 1/2 bushel of daffs to plant...that's roughly a 150 count. Sounds a lot, but, it goes quickly when I group 15-20 per digging.

The Historical Red Mill of Clinton is the most photographic scene when articles are written about NJ. And the home of the Haunted Mill I'm always talking about. Not soo scary in the daylight though, eh?



Flashes of bright orange caught my eye~how could it not?!~and I did one of those skidding stops on the side of the road...lol! Ya just gotta admire the dedication and work that went into this whimsical and fun decoration.

Blooming still in my garden is this Honey Perfume rose.
And with fragrance as musky and intoxicating as they were in the height of summer.


Autumn Joy Sedums are especially rich in color this year. And the bees are still buzzing about.

I love the bright turn of this sumac, Tiger's Eye, I think....

Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to tuck those bulbs in for their winter nap.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

October's Glory

How fortunate we've been to experience such mild temps in central New Jersey. And I can't remember a more colorful and long-lasting display of spectacular foliage!

A favorite walking trail through Ken Lockwood Gorge.



The annual Haunted Mill was a huge success! Proceeds go to the upkeep of Clinton's Historical Red Mill



A few of my make-up handiwork...so much fun!




Enjoy your October glory and Happy Halloween!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Ouch!!!

The procrastination bug has bitten, and bitten hard! Other than just walking through the garden with my camera, I've been flaking out with the year-end chores. Leaf clean up, trimming, mulching....all things necessary to put the garden down for a deep sleep. And I keep thinking I still have plenty of time to plant my bulbs!

Instead, I'm out touring gardens in my free time....like this one in south Jersey!



Clusters of pearls are what these beauty berries remind me of... Amazing that only an hour south, annuals are still looking great!
This pond was pretty shallow but look how healthy these kois are! They were extremely hungry...following me with their big eyes and opened mouths. Sorry guys, nothing good in my pockets.
So what's my excuse for neglecting the garden? Can I blame it on shorter days? Adjusting to daylight savings is easy...what's one less hour of sleep for this insomniac...it's the time I can spend outdoors after work that I miss. Pitch dark now by 5pm...that's the hard part!
Too busy with work, home projects, crafts, etc. etc....
Okay, I'll come clean and admit it....I've been LAZY!!!

But, in order to get beauties like these....
I must plant these! Pronto! Before the ground freezes...
Am I alone in my procrastination? Have you, too, been bitten? Somehow, I think some of you can relate....
Have a wonderful weekend!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Rise and Shine!

Nothing like a 5am walk to get your heart racing! And I don't mean from the exercise! Up and out the door with Bandit in total darkness was how this day started. I am not easily spooked so no thought at all given to the fact that I could barely see beyond arm's length. But, soon my eyes adjusted, and I found the cold morning air quite exhilarating.

Too engrossed in my audio book, I wasn't aware that Bandit sensed something in the bushes! Suddenly, the still, peaceful quiet was rudely interrupted with his best 'protecting my mommy' voice! And for a 13-lb. ball of fluff, he's quite loud! Sorry neighbors!

So, do I turn and run back the way I came? NO, silly! Being the brave girl that I am...or just plain crazy!...I pull out my camera and aim it at the bushes, snapping away! Maybe it's just a raccoon! A fox? Possibly a bear!

Hmph...no such luck! Here's the culprit!

Drats! Just another deer! Or maybe an alien in disguise!!

Another hour or so later, Mr. Sun is out, but just barely. I'm chilled now and ready to head back. So is little Bandit.


Back in my garden, there's still color to be found...mostly in the form of foliage.




After his quick rest, Bandit was rearing to go again. As soon as I opened the door, off he went, chasing more intruders! And boy, do they run!!Many chores on my To Do List but, first, someone desperately needs a warm bath! Then I'll take care of Bandit's feet...lol! Oooh, the joys of owning a little white fluff!So, friends, I hope you realize that I was willing to risk my life...hey, it could've been a bear!...all for the sake of a good picture/post...just sayin'! Maybe next time! Happy Day, all!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Saying Goodbye....

Once I flip my calendar to November, I find the rest of the year quickly runs its course. Maybe it's the crazy-busy activities of Thanksgiving and Christmas that help speed the months along but I also think it's because I'm sadly saying goodbye to the garden and eagerly anticipating its return come Spring. There are still beautiful foliage to enjoy, at least in my neck of the woods. But soon, these deciduous branches will lay bare, and oh how we will miss their multi-colored coats! Seemingly overnight, the glowing fans of this gingko tree will create a golden carpet at its trunk, which in itself, is a beautiful sight.
Though presently living up to their name, these burning bushes will soon be naked, huddling tight and shivering through winter without their dense, fiery coat of red. Haphazard blooms found here and there but the majority of plants/flowers have bid their farewell and settled in for the duration. The annual visitors, sadly, make no plans to return.
A final visit from this colorful moth brought me much joy.As do the fruits and berries decorating these trees. Captured here for posterity before they are picked clean by our feathered friends ;)

My collection of chrysanthemums vary somewhat, but mostly, I go for bold, rich colors.With the daisy-like mums being my favorite!Of course you need white ones to make a vase arrangement 'go together'. Hey, how'd that little geranium sneak in there! Imagine my surprise to find this beautiful rose in bloom! Five days later, they still look great on my bedside table. And somehow, attending the last daylily club (GSDG) meeting of the year, makes saying goodbye to the garden that much more final. But, as we gardeners know, now begins the fun phase of dreaming and planning our projects for 2010. My 'Wish List' of daylilies increased tenfold...thanks to our wonderful speaker on hybridizing...Mike Huben. I can't wait for that first pollen cross next summer! Have yourselves a great week and enjoy the last Hurrah of Autumn!