Seasonal Changes In The Garden
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In the fall, I begin to see the garden’s seasonal changes. There are the leaves of the trees turning, and the drying of flowers and plants. It is the time when the garden is preparing itself for its winter nap.
The petunias stop blooming as summer turns into fall; just a few are still growing here and there in my garden. They are annuals, so they won’t be coming back in the springtime.
I’ll have to get more petunias, because I always love to have petunias in my garden. Petunias come in so many wonderful colors and shapes!
The seasonal changes in the fall mean that the frantic growth of summer slows, and everything begins to turn inward, preparing for rest.
Below the surface, the real work begins. Roots thicken, bulbs settle in, and microbes break down fallen leaves into nourishment. The soil is busy, even as the garden looks still.
Sedum Autumn Joy:
In these photos, you see the Sedum Autumn Joy plant. The blooms turn a pinkish-orange hue in autumn. It is a welcome sight, adding more color to the garden as other blooms fade for the season.
Leaves shift from green to gold, rust, and crimson, then loosen their grip and drift down, layering the soil like a soft quilt.
Perennials fade and collapse back toward the ground, their energy retreating into roots that will sleep through winter. Annuals finish their last burst of color, then bow out after the first frosts.
From time to time, as fall descends on the garden, I like to go out on the patio and take in the beauty of Sedum Autumn Joy. It has such big, resplendent, rust-colored blossoms.
With the recently cooler weather this week, I’m seeing new growth on some of the other plants, such as the daisy above. I love to watch the blooms unfold into these multi-layered yellow petals.
Vegetable gardens offer their final gifts—squash swelling on the vine, tomatoes ripening in the cooler sun, herbs growing more aromatic as nights turn crisp.
Seed heads dry and rattle in the breeze, feeding the birds.
Chocolate Mint:
The chocolate mint smells so wonderful as it winds and meanders between the pots and plants. The insects obviously don’t like the scent of mint, since the leaves aren’t eaten up as much as those of many other plants in the garden.
Mint grows quickly and easily, as the runners it sends out create many more new plants. The mint plant thrives in shade, especially in hot climates, where afternoon shade helps prevent scorching and keeps the soil moist.
While it prefers 3–4 hours of sun, it is highly adaptable and can grow in shadier spots, though it may grow less vigorously than in full sun.
Mint plants (which are hardy herbaceous perennials) react to cooling temperatures and shorter days by going dormant. Above-ground foliage turns yellow, becomes brittle, and dies back after the first hard frost.
The roots and rhizomes remain alive underground, ready to resurface in the spring.
Ajuga:
The ajuga plant, also known as bugleweed, thrives in shade during the cooler months of spring and fall. After a time, blooms will form on the plant, as you can see below.
Ajuga belongs to the mint family. There are many different species.
Take time, if you can, to savor these changes in nature. The wonderful thing about seasonal weather is watching the daily ebb and flow of your garden.
I feel so calm as I walk among the container plants on the patio. Watching the birds. The subtle fading of the tree leaves.
In the fall months, the garden slows, gathers strength, and begins to change again for spring.
Brenda, you certainly have mastered the art of container gardening! What is the plant in the photo above the petunia photo? It is absolutely exquisite. I want one!
And you are right, those of us who are not in the middle of a natural disaster like in Texas certainly do have a lot to be grateful for. I will probably have to sell my house in a few months. There's not any way I want to move out of the house or the wonderful neighborhood, but money dictates it. Sometimes I feel so sad and grim about it, yet, all in all, I do have many things to be grateful for and I try to focus on those instead of what feels like a devastating loss to me. It's the only way to stay sane and healthy–focus on the positive as much as you possibly can. Plus, remember that the word "devastating" is relative.
It just cooled off here as well! 45 degrees this morning but up to 73 or so in the afternoon. Changing clothes all day long 🙂 I never even knew that there WAS a chocolate mint.
I have been thinking / praying about Puerto Rico constantly. It's so horrific what has happened to them and what they are going through and sadly, the response was not well-thought out on this one. Having the Navy ship Comfort JUST leaving now when it should have been ordered to prepare for deployment the day the hurrican hit.
Small amount of military there…
What's been going on NOW is due to people such as Clinton and General Honore saying what should be done / should have been done.
NOTE: They DID NOT SAY to pick a fight with the NFL…
My garden is my retreat. After walking my dog, I went out to the garden. During the fall is when I try to do most transplanting. I lose complete awareness of time. My friends were hollering over the fence for me. It is Friday tea time. They know where to seek me if I don't answer the door! It is a lovely day. I know how you feel. Have a grand day Brenda.
Hi Brenda~
I love the changing of the seasons. I don't think I could live somewhere where it was always summer…not for me. The flowers do love the cooler temperatures don't they? I planted a few mums in May, after, Memorial Day, and they are just loving the cooler weather, blooming like crazy!
Your last blog post about, blogging, was wonderful! I don't blog for money, but, it sure did open my eyes to some very important blogging facts that all bloggers should think about. Thank you for posting it.
Have a great week-end, Brenda!
Hugs,
Barb
I don't think I'd want to live where it was always summer either.
SO FAR A DELIGHTFUL DAY HERE IN KANSAS. IT'S 67 AND NICE BREEZE.
WAS WONDERING IF MY BIRDS AND SQUIRRELS WILL BE MORE ACTIVE TODAY, WHEN A JUVENILE CARDINAL LANDED ON THE WINDOW LEDGE, THAT HAS SUNFLOWER SEEDS AND SHELLED PECANS ON IT. I KNOW IT'S A JUVENILE BECAUSE THE BEAK IS STILL DARK.
TRY NOT TO STRESS TOO MUCH ABOUT YOUR WALL PROJECT. HAVE A GOOD DAY.
SNUGGLES TO THE PUPSTERS.
I love cardinals! Been hotter than that here.
Your pictures are so enjoyable to view. And yes, we all have so much to be grateful for.
My son in law works for FEMA and is presently in Houston inspecting damaged homes, and he says it is a real eye opener. He has inspected poverty stricken areas and he had never seen how true poverty stricken people live. He has a new appreciation for his beautiful home on 10 acres in the hidden area where he resides.
I've been watching the coverage in Puerto Rico. I feels so bad for those folks!
Your garden is beautiful. I am so glad to see you are still blogging away. I took a very long break from blogging to let my life changes settle in. I missed out on so much of what you are doing but it looks like you have a new home. Hope you and the pups are well. Have a wonderful weekend.
I just visited you.
IT'S 57 HERE IN KANSAS AS I WRITE THIS, RAIN AND COOLER TEMPS HAVE BEEN A DELIGHT. MY ROSES ARE BLOOMING NICELY, THE BIRDS AND SQUIRRELS SEEM TO BE ENJOYING THE BREAK IN TEMPS ALSO. WHEN IT IS SO HOT, I ONLY SEE THEM AT THE FEEDERS EARLY MORNINGS AND LATE AFTERNOONS.
I HAVE MISSED WATCHING THEM THROUGHOUT THE DAY, HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE OUT AND ABOUT MORE TODAY.
TRY NOT TO STRESS OVER YOUR WALL SITUATION. GLAD TO KNOW YOU ARE MANAGING TO HOLD OFF TACKLING IT, EVEN IF THE HUMIDITY IS A BIG DECIDING FACTOR FOR YOU.
ENJOY THE COOLER WEATHER AND
SNUGGLES TO THE PUPSTERS
Yes my thoughts exactly Brenda, I have much to be thankful for too. I feel terrible if I grumble now over little things which really are of no consequence.
Puerto Rico is really suffering and will for a long time. They are part of the U.S. and need our help.