As we were walking up the hill I saw more sourwoods changing color.  It is interesting to me how some are darker than others.  But you can see them all along the roadways and in your travels showing their beautiful fall colors.  Some are still sporting their seed pods, which stay white and poke up at the top of the trees.  Maybe from a distance that's what makes them look pink.

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

This is my favorite Sourwood tree.  It turns pink early every year, and it kinda peeks out from behind all these other big trees.  I know that fall is here when I see my little sourwood changing.  

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

I read an interesting thing about Fall in the Farmers Almanac.  And while I was there, I borrowed this picture.

Anyway, I learned that Fall begins this year at 8:44am on September 22nd, from an astronomical perspective:  based on the earth's tilt.  Well, meteorologically, Fall began on September 1st and goes through November.  I never knew that anybody thought that way, but me.  

 

But, I found out that meteorologists think the same way, with their focus on the weather.  

 

Fall:  September, October, and November

Winter:  December, January, and February

Spring:  March, April, and May

Summer:  June, July, and August

 

That sure makes it easier to organize my blogs into seasons.  I can do it by the months.  :)

 

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

 

Here is a last bit of summer sunshine to start your day.  Julia gave me this begonia last year when she left for Florida.  I kept it alive in the basement.  I'll tell you the truth, I didn't baby it AT ALL.  I just cut it way back, and watered it about three times all winter.  This spring I brought it outside, and it has grown back to be beautiful, and greet me every day when I walk out the front door.  And of course, the hummingbirds visit it every day too.   

 

Not too many signs of summer left:  too hot, too dry.   So we are just kissing our mountain summer goodbye, and looking forward to a gorgeous fall.  I think the drought may have pushed it up a little.  

 

I am excited to be part of it, and to share it with you.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

We are still getting eggplants.  I guess they don't mind the dry weather.  They start out like this, and then in a couple weeks we have eggplants.  

 

I love seeing them in all their stages.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

This is Virginia Creeper climbing my trees.  It is mid-September and it is bright red.  In the summer it looks a lot like poison ivy, but in the fall it is red and poison ivy is kinda yellow.  They both are climbers, but I can still tell the difference at 45 mph.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I thought you might like to see what the Clematis does after those beautiful flowers fade.  These are the seed pods.  See the one at the top?  That fuzzy bit at the base of the swirl is the way the seed travels by wind.  Kinda like dandelions.  Cool, huh?

 

Next time I get the chance, I will get a picture of the native Clematis;  its seed pods look the same:  fluffy.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

After we took out the sweet potatoes, I fluffed up the soil, and sowed arugula seeds.  Just a couple days later, we have sprouts!!!  And in a couple weeks, we will have arugula.

 

I am so happy to have reclaimed the arugula bed.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Look up!!!  Next time you are out for a walk, look up, and you will probably see some wild grapes hanging in the trees.  They are the most beautiful color this time of year.  

 

I'm not sure why the birds don't eat them, but we have seen them still on the vines way into the winter.  Maybe the birds save them for emergency food.  They are a little sour, but not too bad.  

 

I hope you get to see some in your travels around the mountain.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

That, my friends, is an heirloom tomato.  I planted Pink Brandywine seeds last March, and this is the reward for our efforts.  There have been quite a few of these, but I think this is the biggest one.  

 

Just wanted to brag a little.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!