Happy Fall!

The week of the 15th has not been like fall, with high temps and high humidity (dew points in the upper 60s and sometimes 70). I know it's humid when our dryer has a puddle of condensation because the humid air comes in the vent and hits the cool machine. The headlines said "unseasonably warm," but I say downright uncomfortable. However, I shouldn't complain. It could be snowing.  This photo is a bouquet made from a native viburnum branch, which had been laying on the ground, damaged for an unknown reason. The red leaves and berries are beautiful. P.S. Below is my last watermelon for this season. The small melon developed later than the others but was fully ripe and delicious. The steak knife is for scale. 

September Garden Tour

September has both delights and dents. Not everything looks good since the growing season is winding down. And the spell of low temperatures in the 30s didn't help. But it's not the end until we get a freeze, so here's a look at what's happening. Above is a monarch caterpillar on butterfly weed in the front yard. Below is a pot with lemon grass, purple basil, and strawberry mint. I wonder, why place a spike plant in a pot when you can harvest the lemon grass for cooking?

This is a closeup of black lace elderberry. It look dead after the winter, so I cut it back...

...and it grew big and full! It didn't flower (normally it flowers on old wood), but that's okay. Someday I hope it will hide the fire hydrant and the electric box.

The rose hips (above) are brilliant on the smooth rose. This plant (below) has come into its own after struggling for a bit. My one concern is that it sends out shoots, and I cut them back. This kind isn't supposed to take over in dry soil, but we did have a wet year. If I need to take it out, I will, but I'll leave it for now. 

The pots in front are feeling their age (I sympathize!), but I'll keep watering them.

This sedum (planted by previous owners and moved around by me) looks best this time of year.

Here's an overview of one of two front native gardens, looking a little scraggly. Do I want to cut it all down? Yes. Will I? No, because the seed heads are for the birds. 

Below are marigolds from seed that are finally blooming. They took a long time, perhaps because that spot got more shade this year from tree branches.

I hope that the service berry shrubs will grow to provide shade for the bench.

I see the deck as an opportunity. Lots and lots of pots! 

And the south-facing side is a great place for cosmos and painted lady runner beans.

The rose has been healthiest this year.

Gotta love zinnias! So do the bees, butterflies, and birds. 

Overview of the vegetable garden.

The honeysuckle bushes were supposed to be 3 feet by 3 feet, but they love their lives and have expanded, especially since the Siberian elms are gone. I think the shallow rooted elms were greedy for water.

Berries on the native viburnum

The bright pink zinnias are my attempt to save the seed. I know I said I gave up, but I can't. This is the perfect zinnia, in my opinion. We got a warm week ahead so hopefully the seed will ripen. 

A dragonfly on the Bloomerang lilac, which appears to be disease resistant

September is a great time for eating from the garden. Last night we had watermelon, and I had to purposefully set aside some for the tonight. 

Glossy and gorgeous!

Carrots for dinner tonight

This sauce is olive oil, garlic, tomatoes and basil. I added a little pepper and mozzarella. Delicious! I've got containers in the freezer for future meals.