First Day of Fall

I re-planted beans, and some survived the bunnies. The marigolds are looking good. They do NOT keep bunnies away, but they don't get eaten. That's amaranth, ready to go to seed.

Warm weather means more peppers. Below is lettuce and greens. Anything cabbage related has been hit hard by caterpillars and slugs. I found two huge slugs hiding in the lettuce when I picked some. Very unappetizing. I really cleaned it well. 

The strawberries I replanted dies completely back, but I kept them water, and they've got some new leaves sprouting, storing energy for the winter, along with many other plants, shrubs, and trees. Let's hope we get some rain to help. 

Seed saving, revisited

Last year I grew zinnias from saved seeds, and the plants succumbed to powdery mildew. I didn't save seeds from those diseased plants. I was feeling pretty sad about my failed experiment.  But I found some old seeds and gave them a try. They're thriving! Below are seeds I'm saving, and below that is another photo of a flower on the same plant of the saved seeds. I'm excited to try again next spring to see if they grow true or if they cross-pollinated with the many zinnias I planted. A warmer climate (or a  greenhouse) would make this happen faster than waiting until next year. Can't you hear the mom voice saying, "Don't wish your life away"?

The view from my kitchen window

First of all, I have the privilege of having a kitchen, especially one with a window. On top of that, I have the privilege of a yard and garden. I have the physical strength and energy to dig and plant and the financial resources to buy seeds and plants. I know not everyone has that. I so appreciate this view in the morning. The white flowers on the far left are cosmos in the new wild flower garden. (I know, cosmos aren't wildflowers.) In the middle left are the limelight hydrangea. The deck railing is center with cosmos and painted lady runner beans just outside the window. The vegetable garden is on the right. There are many holes in the fence, but that's a story for another day (bunnies). In the foreground are my houseplants. The pink one is a wax begonia from a four pack I bought in the spring. Then there are three succulents, including one baby on the left. I'm delighted with how the work and planning have paid off after five years. And I'm feeling blessed every morning when I see this view.