Bonus – When a bear likes your solar lights as much as you do

When a bear likes your solar lights as much as you do, but nevertheless leaves it behind, semi intact, and still working, and you discover it while clearing the ferns from the area that will house next year’s 1 year old pollinator created daylily seedlings. You use a shepherd’s hook – that wasn’t bent by said bear – and holds it (kind of), hoping you will find the hanger, somewhere.

The bird feeder was not quite so fortunate.

First look

One of my favorite times of the day is the first look outside at the gardens in the morning.  The sun catching the colors.  The dew still on the leaves and pine branches.  So beautiful!

Summer in the garden is incredible, but fall is still pretty doggone good.

This morning I ventured outside and what did I see?  A ripened South Seas seed pod!  I suspect I would have more seeds had I gone out yesterday, as one chamber was already empty, but 4 is still good.  Thank you pollinators!  I stand in awe of your skills!  Enjoy the Autumn Joy sedum!

Bonus – Foggy, almost fall morning

It is a foggy, almost fall morning here in Minnesota. Queue the apple orchards and the fall jackets.

Not quite yet, but soon.

I would leave my recliner and go out in the garden, but there are no daylilies left, I am exhausted from last weekend’s two moves out of the small house up north – one trip to bring stuff to the camper, and then another trip to bring the remaining stuff back to the townhouse. But that is done now, and the up north recliners are perfect for being sluggy, on this damp fall-ish morning. Time time to indulge in an open front door, cricket to bird serenade, with a little side of squirrels playing on the trees. No need to get out the towel to wipe down the lawn chair this morning. I’m good with this.

The purple shamrock -update

It was a slow return for the purple shamrock this year. At the beginning of the season I was preparing myself for the end of that era. But it came back by June, and it remains in its usual spot.

The purple shamrock is one of two summer garden plants that come inside in mid-fall. They go in my office – all four feet wide – and greet me every morning with their year-round blooms.

Up north this past weekend, we had a 38°F night. When that starts further down south here, I start to watch the lows. Nights consistently below 40°F and time for them to come in.

I’m hoping that is still a while 🙂

Ready or not, here it comes

We were up at the top of Minnesota for just a couple days. When we arrived, no color. Two days later …

I watched, as these fluttered down.

And the ferns are in tandem with the birch and aspens.

It will be at least a few more weeks before we see fall color seriously arrive further south in Minnesota, but sure enough, fall is heading our way.