Midday temperatures have been in the mid 60’s the past few days and working in the yard has been absolutely wonderful. The leaves are beginning to change, the mosquitoes have packed up and gone home and there is a nice breeze all around us as we work.
I’m loving it!
Yesterday the HH cut down a few overhanging trees and some of brush from the side yard. He hauled out his wood chipper and fired it up and we were able to get a few wheelbarrow loads of mulch.
I wasn’t planning on mulching the hydrangea beds just yet {I still need to plant the spring bulbs when they arrive} but with the lasagna garden topped off with mulch already, I didn’t have anywhere else to put it. I suppose I’ll just work around it when the time comes to plant bulbs.
I just checked the weather report and for the next 10 days the evenings are only suppose to dip down to the lower 50’s, so we still have a ways to go before our first frost.
Pretty much everything in the garden is still alive and blooming.
Even the tomatoes are still hanging in there.
And we are still picking zucchini, peppers and herbs as well.
Although I probably should get out there and harvest the oregano, chives, basil and parsley and get it dried and stored in containers before it all goes to seed.
Even the delicata squash are still going strong. {I hope they make it in time.}
But what I’m most looking forward to harvesting in the next few weeks is the butternut squash. I’ve been craving a roasted butternut squash lasagna lately, but it’s doesn’t feel cold enough outside to make it yet.
A few more weeks, and I think I’ll be ready. 🙂
Cooler temps… bring ’em on! I’m ready to break out the wool socks and flannel shirts.
How about YOU? Are you ready for fall?
~Mavis
Rebecca in MD says
Fall is my favorite time of the year. I just picked the last of the tomatoes and have begun cleaning up various parts of the gardens. I am still harvesting green beans, peppers, herbs, and kale.
Waiting for my garlic seed and Itoh peonies for planting this fall. I also have some Perovskia to plant and a lilac cutting that I rooted from a friend’s garden.
Marie says
Wow, your temps are higher than us in Northern Alabama, we are going to 46 tonight.
Jules says
Is drying herbs easy? I planted basil, parsley and oregano for the first time this year. I have so much and don’t want to lose it when the weather turns
Mavis Butterfield says
Drying herbs is super easy. Here’s a quick tutorial: https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/how-to-dehydrate-cilantro-in-the-oven/
Elisabeth says
Aren’t you supposed to let the mulch age a bit, like at least a season? I’ve always heard fresh mulch will leach nutrients from the soil.
Lori King says
I see fried green tomatoes in your future!
Cindy says
Mavis you still have all those beautiful vegetables! Awesome!
Linda says
I also have read that freshly chipped mulches need to age in a pile and turn brown before using on plants. If fresh they will leach nitrogen out of the soil to aid in breaking down the chips. The fresh chips also get hot as they break down. If you have to use fresh chips ,I think I also read to sprinkle nitrogen on the bare soil before application so as not to deplete the nitrogen in your garden bed. I just leave fresh piles of mulch in the yard in a pile to overwinter. By spring when the snow has melted the pile will be moist, brown and ready to use on the garden. Also helpful to turn the pile a bit before it is covered in lots of snow.
Diana says
The more I read of your life in Maine, the more I consider moving to New England. I’d always said I was going to retire there and now that I’m retired, I’m seriously thinking about it. I’ve been in GA for 40 years as of this year (grew up in MI) and I think I’m ready to come back to the snow and more cold. Much as I’ve loved the weather here, I prefer it cooler and I think I’ll take a few trips this next spring and check it out.