Jealousy

Is is possible to be jealous of a country that is shrouded in mist and fog?

Well, I am. When traveling to England and France, I was jealous of the green grass and the daffodils that were just pushing through the ground. After browsing through the gardening magazines I bought in the U. K., I am jealous of their close-knit gardening community, which is probably because they share similar growing conditions, unlike here in the U. S. where we have everything from the tropics to tundra.

Yes, I am green with envy. Mostly I am jealous of the greenhouses--glasshouses--which I have coveted for too long. Really, even if I won the lottery, I wouldn't be able to have one at my home because we have so many trees. The main reason for my jealousy is that I could be working in the garden now.

Yet, if I lived in a different climate, maybe I wouldn't get nearly as much writing done because I'd be outside all the time.

A Flurry of Seed Catalogs

As the snow deepens here in Central Minnesota, a flurry of seed catalogs hits my mailbox. I am definitely not complaining. I love the bright, cheerful colors and the possibilities that each catalog represents. I, too, can have a garden full of healthy produce and a rainbow of lovely flowers.

One complaint I have is the high shipping costs. I will pay more for certain varieties that I want, but I used to buy from several catalogs. Now I choose the seeds I most want, figure out what other packets I can buy, and then cut myself off before the next tier of shipping costs rises. So, catalog companies, your shipping and handling fees are limiting my purchases and limiting the number of catalogs from which I buy. Some things that I consider are if the seed is Northern grown, if the company is mindful of the environment (sometimes that means organic), and if the company is family owned or non-profit or independent of large agribusiness (such as Cargill). I like to vote with my money.

What will I order? I'm not sure. I still have some seeds from last year, and I saved some seeds, too, so my order will probably be smaller this year as compared to last year. Yet I still enjoy perusing the catalogs and dreaming of spring.

Happy Thanksgiving

I don't mean to brag...okay, I do...but I ate some lettuce from my garden today. Yes, it's November 26th. I'll like to take full credit for it, but it's one of the warmest Novembers on record. I'm aiming for some on December 1, but it's really up to Mother Nature.

Leaves and Fire

On Friday the day began with the golden glow of autumn leaves clinging to the trees. By the end of the day, each leaf covered our lawn in a puzzle of brown and gold. Yep, most of the oak leaves fell and they all fell at once. With the wind blowing the leaves sideways and the addition of rain mixed with snow, we weren't sure that our daughter's day-before-Halloween party would have a bonfire, but my husband came to the rescue so the girls could roast marshmallows, burn marshmallows, and become budding pyromaniacs as only a fire can inspire.

Also, please note that my entries will be few and far between now that the growing season is over. (Well, I have a few lettuce plants that I will harvest soon.) Yet I have already received my first seed catalog!

Pumpkin Days

Yesterday we visited 4R Ranch for Pumpkin Days. We took a hay ride, picked a pumpkin, and got lost in the corn maze. The weather cooperated so we have a great time.

The corn maze is a clever invention. Since a farmer usually grows field corn for his livestock, why not carve a maze before harvesting it? The corn stalks are too high to see the pattern. This particular maze was tougher than usual, probably because some complained that it was too easy in earlier years and partly because we took many wrong turns and ended up in some circles. The point of the maze, for me anyway, is to enjoy the experience. Many people like to hurry through the maze competitively, but we just followed my daughter while she led the way, creating some fun family time.

Melted Snow

Yesterday's snow has melted. That's two days of snow this early in October. I am worried about my fall garlic because I have not planted it yet. First it was too warm. Then it was too wet. Now it's the snow? Only in Minnesota!

Snow?!?

Yep, the first snowfall (about a half inch) welcomed us this morning along with temps in the teens (at least on my thermometer on the north side). Now it's getting blustery, too. Isn't this a bit early? Yes, indeed. I heard on the news that this is only the seventh time it has snowed this early. I still have lots of garden work to do, but it's a little tough with--gasp--a windchill.