Fall Equinox 20 Sept 2024

After the long, hot days of August and the shortening daylight hours of September, Fall officially arrives in just 2 days. The welcome rains that came with Francine are gone and we are back to the dry days for a few more weeks. The cooler mornings are refreshing and the diminished heat of midday have given the garden some new life.

I have been into more fall tasks. I have spread mulch from the compost pile. Some fall vegetables have been started from seed. Weeding delayed by the heat has been resumed. I have some bulbs to plant and some other bulbs that I will purchase for planting.

I will plan to join the Six On Saturday group tomorrow. If you want to read more gardening blogs, navigate to the site https://gardenruminations.co.uk. Join us if you like. Take 6 photos and post them on a blog or a file. Follow the instructions at the website. We would love to see your garden.

The zinnia section of my garden has been outstanding this year. The bees are in agreement. The hardy hibiscus is a beautiful color don’t you think.

The Ruellia (Mexican petunia) is refreshed and blooming again while the Ageratum is just beginning its autumnal glory.

This is the first year that I will harvest from the Japanese persimmon. It looks like that will be soon. The wood aster (Eurybia divaricate) is a delicate bloom with large leaves. It is a reliable fall bloomer.

I hope you are enjoying your gardens. May the weather be enjoyable for you.

Happy gardening!

Mid Summer 12 June 2024

The summer heat continues so the drill is to take care of gardening tasks in the morning. The rainfall has been sufficient and watering is only needed by the containers and window boxes. The summer blooms have been magnificent.

Last week, the two of us spent a grand time in the mountains of North West Georgia. Some mountain people might call them “cute hills” but they were grand. The constant breezes and lower humidity were especially welcome.

Its back to Birmingham now and the high temperatures and high humidity.

Here are my photos for the week. I will be joining the Six on Saturday group tomorrow and posting there. Come have a look. Gather six of your own and post along with us. It is such fun to join gardeners from around the world as they post each week. The link is https://gardenruminations.co.uk and is hosted by Jim Stephens.

I have shown the Rudbeckia earlier this summer but this gorgeous cluster of golden blooms is worth seeing again. Winter takes a high toll on this cultivar but this one has done exceptionally well.

The Tithonia is a show stopper. It is four feet tall and a favorite of pollinators.

The Casa Blanca is near its peak. This is a clump of about 6 tall stems now. Each bears 3 or 4 blooms and I have finally devised a satisfactory method of staking that displays them well.

I am showing you this zinnia because it is a volunteer that came up amongst the “Black and Blue” Salvia. The contrast is very eye catching.

The pollinators love this milkweed. I have not seen a Monarch cat or adult on it yet. I will start checking regularly for eggs.

This hosta has become quite large and showy. Its leaf color and markings really do justify its name. The blooms are beautiful this year.

Happy Gardening!!