The hours drift down through cool, misty mornings into warm bright afternoons. My garden is a patchwork of late bloomers, leafy roots and rich dark earth.
 |
| Helianthus H. x multiflorus ‘Flore Pleno' (probably) |
 |
| nasturtiums having a late surge |
 |
| enough buds for another jar in the window |
I tried something new this year. I had two tomato plants left over so I popped them beside two roses. I'd heard it was good for black spot. Although not a complete eradication it cut back on the damage significantly. In our unusually hot weather all my roses dropped their leaves and stood like skeletons against the fence. When normal weather service resumed the two roses with the tomato buddies sprang back with fresh leaves and new blooms well ahead of the others.
 |
| the scarlet runners are still going strong |
 |
| sun on the blueberry bushes earlier today |
I went to another homesteading workshop last weekend. Seed saving, cheese making and preserving by lacto-fermentation were on the schedule. I proudly brought home a jar of coleslaw. A week at room temperature, the instructor said, before storing somewhere cool. Ha Ha Ha, I'm already dressing in at least four layers to survive the morning chill in the kitchen. One of these days I'm going to give in and light the wood stove.
The chill came here today, going from nearly 80 degree temps down to the 50s. Like you, I am putting sweaters on and hope I can resist turning on the heater. However, the fireplace might get lit if the cold continues.
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting about the roses and tomatoes. With the thorns of the roses, it must be tricky, though, picking the fruit.
Absolutely spot on about the picking!
DeleteOh making coleslaw is a job I have never tackled good for you. It is cool here in Ontario too. Your flowers are beautiful. B
ReplyDeleteTurns out coleslaw is easy using lacto fermentation. Of course I haven't tasted it yet......
DeleteBritish Columbia must be in zone 5, right? Or is it much warmer than my zone 6? It's lovely to see all those blooms still going strong in your garden.
ReplyDeleteThe government or somebody says 9a. I would say my little pocket is more of a seven or eight. I'm at least two weeks behind in blooming times compared to even a few kilometres down the road.
DeleteIt's not the end of summer till the last rose of summer, keep picking those buds!
ReplyDeleteWren x
I'll hang on to that thought!
DeleteStill a lot going on in your garden, Susan. It is bittersweet watching the garden slide from summer into autumn. Makes me want to squeeze the last drop of sunshine out of these days!
ReplyDeleteWe are holding off on our woodstove too. The first fire of the fall is a most treasured event and we have not had wood heat in 6 years so this will really be special. Our crazy tomatoes are still producing and tonights supper will be a tomato, basil and mozzarella salad!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless
Keeping the woodshed stocked is a lot of work. For now I'm willing to keep at it as I love the woodstove.
DeleteYou are so lucky to be able to get to the classes. I'm never in town enough. My scarlet runner beans were a bust this year. I had a few when I got home from a week in the States but they were so far gone I decided to let them go to seed. I'll make chili with them later. But my bush beans are doing great. - Margy
ReplyDeleteI'm letting some go to seed as well. Beans are a wonderful food.
DeleteI've never heard of giving a rose a tomato buddy but what a great idea! I've taken out so many roses because of blackspot. Love all that yellow and red. :o)
ReplyDeleteI have to admit it looks a little odd. Of course it won't stop me, especially as the dreaded spot drives me crazy.
DeleteYou are very hardy ! Our fire is lit every evening now. The days are still reasonably warm, but the nights are cold, even though we haven't had a frost yet. Loving the yellows in your garden, and glad the roses reclothed themselves and had a second wind !!
ReplyDelete