We were up in northern Minnesota for a few days and saw that there are a multitude of hay bales already in the fields.
We also saw quite a few does, some with fawns, including this one with her two.
Back home, one of our white squirrels greeted us, and then proceeded with dinner.
Today the last Purple D’Oro daylily bloomed.
And there are only two ‘Marque Moon’ buds left. Two bloomed yesterday (“twins”) and two bloomed today.
Fall is on our heels.
Yesterday morning I was up at 5am. My husband told me it was 51° and I couldn’t resist. I had to check it out, that glorious pre-fall feel, before the day warms up. This morning when my alarm went off at 6:30, I didn’t dally. It is 55° and gorgeous out in the garden. Warm enough to be comfortable, and take it all in, but oh so crisp. There is nothing like a Minnesota morning as we are on the cusp of fall.
There is only one daylily blooming today. Yesterday I counted 6 ‘Marque Moon’ blooms left and only one ‘Purple D’Oro’ left. I will miss the beautiful color each night as we sit out in the garden, but pre-fall mornings are absolutely glorious!
A few days ago we watched a variety of young birds, including one of the young cardinals, feed off the seed the squirrels dropped on the ground. The squirrels are going through so much seed lately we were not surprised at how long the young birds were able to hop around, picking up seed. What came to mind was Ruth gleaning in the fields of Boaz. It was such a visual reminder that God always provides. It might not be what we anticipate but he is faithful and he will make a way.
Today the last ‘Just Plum Happy’ daylily bud of the season bloomed. We are going to miss them. They are so cheerful!
All that’s left now of the daylilies are a few ‘Purple D’Oro’ buds and about a dozen ‘Marque Moon’ buds.
There’s been just a tinge of “fall’s coming” in the air the past few mornings. The air here was hazy for a few days due to the Canadian wildfires, but has now cleared. Our thoughts are with all who have been affected.
One of the first things I planted in our gardens was a couple varieties of clematis. They grew like crazy. We had tall trellises and even those bowed under the weight of the early vines. It was so dense that one year we had a bird make a nest there! We really enjoyed carefully watching from inside the house as mama came to feed the babies. Eventually, however, the vines got to be such a jumble that I cut them down and started over with shorter trellises. That was all before we went to primarily hostas, daylilies, asian lilies and sedum, but they still come back every year and bloom a few times. They starting blooming again in the past few days.
Every spring I end up plucking out multitudes of clematis volunteers, but the blooms are just so pretty that they have earned a permanent place in the garden.
I just happened to look out during these acrobatics this morning.
“How does this thing work again?”
“Maybe this way.”
“Maybe a direct approach.”
“Let’s try this.”
“One more try.”
“Come on!”
And she fell off, but landed safely.
She settled for the back feeder.
I cherish and protect my Saturday mornings in the garden. The work week may be hectic and even stressful, but come Saturday morning, it’s garden time. I may go to the farmer’s market, and/or go for a walk, but I need Saturday mornings as down time. And today is Saturday!
I have come to like a tidy look. It’s not everyone’s preference, but for a modestly sized garden like ours I can keep up with trimming daylily stems and hosta scapes. This morning there was a bunch of that. And then there’s the inevitable weeds and tree sprouts. “Pampering the Garden” is a lot of fun, but the best part is when it’s done. There’s nothing like sitting in a peaceful garden.
Soon I also need to decide whether to harvest the hosta seeds from the Aureomarginatas.
I’m leaning toward no, and just trimming them. Despite losing 5 hostas this spring, I don’t have much space to spare. It was a bit crowded in the back and side gardens last year.
We’ll see. Maybe give it another week to decide. I’m definitely trimming the other hostas as soon as they are done blooming 🙂
Do any of you have experience with harvesting and growing hosta seeds? How did they turn out?
Over the past few years I have become convinced that 15 minutes per day is a simple way to develop a good habit. I am currently working on 15 minutes per day to do mail/filing/shredding and to see, yet again, if we can keep the kitchen counters relatively clutter-free. Setting the timer on the kitchen stove really works for me, and then just going about it.
The other day I had an opposite experience, and it made me smile. I set the oven to preheat to get ready to bake cookies, and then went outside to enjoy the garden. The buzzer went off and I was not delighted. I wanted to stay put. Nevertheless, I got up and put the cookies in the oven (a little treat-yum!). Once again when I was back in the garden and the timer went off, even though I like cookies, I was not happy to hear that sound.
I guess garden trumps cookies trumps paperwork and cleaning up the kitchen counters. Hmmmm 😁
Our ‘Marque Moon’ daylilies had three sets of what I call “twins” the other day, four sets yesterday, and more again today. It’s by no means a technical term, but when there are two blooms on the same day on the same scape, I call them “twins”. Just a little extra fun.
I bought the ‘Marque Moon’ fans on clearance (online) through Wayside, I think about five years ago. I didn’t expect much. I just put them in the ground and waited to see what would happen. I was not disappointed! They just get better each year!
Today the last ‘Hush Little Baby’ bud bloomed, and the last ‘Purple D’ Oro’ daylily on one of the 3 plants bloomed today as well.
It happens every year. I’m not surprised. But once again, I’m not quite ready. The daylilies are winding down. I already miss their profusion of color, even on the same bloom.
This time of year, especially, I have to remind myself to stay in the moment. The lilies are still blooming. They are not done yet. Then there will be the gorgeous ‘Rainforest Sunrise’ hosta scapes, and the sedum’s slow progression of color, and if we’re lucky and get a long fall, the hosta leaves will even put on a color show. But for today, lilies. Gorgeous lilies.
Susan's Daily Garden 