There were the most beautiful sunflowers in the Ingles Market the other day, so I got a bunch for ME.  They are so bold and gorgeous!!!  They make me smile every time I walk past them.

 

The ones in the garden are long gone, but I saved seeds, so we'll have some again next year. 

 

But in the meantime...these will do just fine.

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

You know how leeks are white at the bottom, and green at the top?  Well, the way that happens in the garden is by a process called "blanching."  You do this by piling up the soil around the base of the leeks, or use a deep layer of mulch to cover the base so the sun doesn't hit the parts you want to stay white.

 

I read last week about another way to blanch leeks.  See the new method?  I'm giving it a try.  I'll let you know how it works out.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I think I can honestly claim the title "Arugula Queen of Crabapple Lane."  I can grow Arugula anywhere!!!

 

I plant seeds three times a year in this bed, and sometimes I let it go to seed.  Well, I guess I got a little rambunctious this time, seeding the bed.  Or I may have just been sloppy and dropped a few seeds.  Either way, you can see that our Arugula seeds are viable and healthy.

 

We love Arugula and eat it just about every day.  Sometimes raw in salads, sometimes cooked like spinach.  It is really good on a pizza.  

 

And this whole bed of Arugula is as pretty as some people's flower gardens, with an extra benefit:  it's edible!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

It wasn't a frost, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.  

 

Monday afternoon we harvested all the tomatoes and peppers, because we were expecting freezing temperatures overnight.  We woke up to 30 degrees on Tuesday, and were glad we brought in everything we wanted to keep.  

 

So Tuesday, we spent a little part of the day roasting, slicing, freezing, and stashing our pepper harvest.  

 

The good news is this:  the arugula didn't mind the cold a bit, and neither did the cabbages, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale.  We'll see how much cold they can take, but for now they are happy in the garden.  So am I.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

You know the seeds that bakers put on rye bread?  This is what Carraway looks like in its first year.  This one is about a foot tall, and 18 inches across.  It looks a little like a spiky parsley plant.  Like parsley, Carraway is a biennial, meaning that it takes two years to go from seed to making its own seeds.  

 

This is my first time growing Carraway, so I am hoping that it survives our winter, and goes to flower and makes seeds next spring or summer.  

 

I'll let you know if we are successful.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

Hey!!!  Look at the Brussels Sprouts.  They are starting to sprout!!!

 

Jon was concerned that they might not like the cold the next few nights;  we're expecting 25 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday.  But I have read that Brussels, along with most other Brassicas get sweeter after a frost or two.  Yay!!!  

 

Some people refer to Brussels Sprouts as "yucky green things."  Not me;  I love Brussels Sprouts.  I eat a few every day.  But this is the first time I have grown them in my garden.  I am happy!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

The Bittersweet berries are popping open.  You can see them all around the neighborhood, with cheery red berries popping out of their yellow calyxes.  

 

And look at these vines, tangling all around themselves.  You can see why they would be used for fall decorations.  I love seeing them!!!

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

 

 

On my walk on Wednesday I saw this beautiful sight.  Couldn't help getting excited about Fall, 2022.  

 

Since it's been so dry this month, we should be getting a real show!!!  And you can see it's already happening.

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

 

 

Our favorite Hickory tree in the park is starting to change color.  

 

Fall is so exciting.  It seems like there's something new to see every day.  

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

 

 

Look how beautiful!!!  This is one of about ten trees in The Home Depot parking lot in Blairsville.  

 

They offer a bit of shade in the summer, and all this beautiful color in the fall.  

 

Thank you Home Depot.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!