When our Hickory trees drop their leaves we will have more mulch than we can shake a stick at.  And best of all, there are 4 big trees like this one near the garden.  They all fall right into the garden.  

 

They are a little problematic so close to the garden because they cast a bunch of shade.  But we work around that ok.  We just plant shade lovers in the shady spots:  you know, lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, and beans.  The rest of the garden gets plenty of sun, so it creates a nice balance for ALL our crops.  

 

It looks like the Hickories will be dropping soon.  Everything else is just about done.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

A few years ago, Sheri sent us hot cherry peppers that she grew in her garden.  We saved the seeds and have been planting them ever since.  Jon likes them because they are hot peppers.  I like them because when they turn red in the fall they look like red ornaments on a Christmas tree.

 

That’s how they looked before those cold nights.  Love it.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

We planted our garlic last Sunday when the moon was in the third quarter in the sign of Taurus:  perfect for planting root crops.  We planted three rows:  one row with 40 cloves, and two rows with 50 cloves each.  That way, we will have enough garlic to last the year for cooking, and enough left over to plant next year.  

 

If you notice, we don’t buy mulch.  It is provided abundantly by our maple and hickory trees.  

 

Our only dilemma this year so far has been the lack of rain since early September.  So we had to hand carry water down to the garden.  That’s ok, it will be worth the trouble in the end.  

 

I’ll show you the garlic again when it comes up in the spring.  And of course I will show you the harvest in July.

 

 

HAPPY  GARDENING!!!

 

This is my wild Mullein in a pot.  

 

A few weeks ago, I cut off the terminal flower spike, and it responded by growing new flower buds at EVERY leaf axil.  All up and down the stem there are new flowers growing!!!  And they smell so sweet.

 

Next time I get a Mullein plant I’m going to top it, right from the beginning.  This is beautiful!!!

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

As you can see, the persimmon tree still has lots of persimmons hanging on.  

 

We love seeing them, because we know they will fall soon.  They fall when they are all the way ripe.

 

Consider this a warning:  the last thing you want to do is pick one from the tree.  The tannins are so strong that the skin will turn your mouth wrong side out.  Even the fantastic sweetness of the persimmon pulp can’t make up for the feeling left behind.    

 

So, be patient and wait for them to fall.  

 

I hope you have found a persimmon tree in your travels.  Best thing about trees is that they don’t move.  They will be there next year in the same spot.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Look, even my lemongrass is showing its fall color.

 

It won’t survive a frost, so it will probably get cut back and spend the winter in the basement.  But for now, it sure is pretty.

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

My friends live near Charlotte NC, and they have this banana tree in their back yard.  Of course, it is a tropical tree and dies back in the winter, but this fall it bloomed, and if you look behind the flower you can see a bunch of little bananas.

 

They probably don’t have enough time to ripen before it dies back, but it sure is cool right now.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I love seeing wild grapes in the fall.  Look at this gorgeous color.  

 

These are on Beaconhill, just past the sign.  We tasted a couple and they are still a little sour.  I guess that’s why the birds and deer haven’t eaten them yet.  

 

When they start disappearing, I will know they are ripe.

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

I thought you might like to see the maple trees on Five Forks Drive.  These are near Solitude, but there are lots of them changing all over town.  

 

So pretty!!!  

 

 

HAPPY FALL Y’ALL!!!

 

Looking up into the Gingko tree in the church parking lot.  

 

Look at these beautiful leaves.  The species name is biloba, meaning two lobes, but they look like butterflies to me.  

 

And they haven’t even begun to show fall color.  Just wait!!!  I’ll show you again when they change.  They look like golden coins then…I'm thinking a couple weeks.

 

 

HAPPY FALL!!!