It’s nine days into the month of September and already there are signs of fall including some trees starting to change color, leaves covering the ground under others, and night temperatures falling into the low 40’s. Where did the summer go?
The squash was taken out by bugs, the tomatoes have been attacked by every type of disease imaginable, but we’re still eating the tomatoes that have developed and the lettuce that was planted in May. Who knew we’d still be eating lettuce in September from a May planting?
The broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes have done fine while the raspberries were abundant and the blueberries were non-existent. Throughout the ups and downs of the dramatic weather swings, the perennials kept growing and flourishing.
Now the fall cleanup and prep work for next season starts. Besides the normal cleanup, we added a new raspberry bed, removed a bed of day lilies for a new planting bed, and I’m trying to come up with a plan to enrich the soil in the raised beds. And, of course, I’ve been moving plants – it’s fall and that is what gardeners do, right?
The 
sewing/quilting bug hit me earlier this year so I’ve started two small quilts and have been sewing, using the embroidery machine for some blocks, and putting blocks together in between gardening sessions.
I also took on a Master Gardener project helping a group resurrect the Forest Glade Cemetery Chapel Garden that has been neglected for quite a while but has good bones.
So, before I run out of energy, does anyone have any suggestions for improving the soil in raised beds that has worked for you? All feedback is welcome and appreciated.
Now we’re off on a short trip with our granddaughter to see Mt. Washington. Hey, you have to enjoy this fall weather before the snow flies. đ
NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
Many years ago Jen and I had redone that bed (Jen’s design) at Forest Galde, before it was filled with burning bushes which we removed. We maintained it for a few years until the town told us they had someone else to do it. Now when I drive by it’s sad to see how it looks today. Good luck with it and remember the maintence is the key
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Small world, and you are so right about the maintenance. I’m waiting to hear back from my contact about how they want to move forward. I summarized our first meeting in writing and included the need for maintenance. It is a beautiful little garden but in sad shape because apparently they contract the mowing out but it doesn’t include maintenance.
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Do you by any chance have a photo from when you worked on it? It would be wonderful to see how it looked then?
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Judy, I’ve always heard if you want something done, give it to a busy person because they’ll find a way to accomplish it. Good luck with the Master Gardener project–seems like a challenge, but an important one.
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Forest Glade Cemetery Chapel Garden that has been neglected for quite a while…what a kind soul you are helping restore this. This will be beautiful when it is beautify. I hope you show us pics when it is finished.
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Hi I might also mention that as you are standing at the garden looking at the gate near the road off to the right in that group of evergreens you’ll notice that one limbs whos’ foliage look different from the rest of the plant, almost like a pom-pom sticking out. (if it is still there) I always assumed it was some kind of reversion to the parent plant. please let me know if it is still there.
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Reblogged this on eugenejferguson.
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Wish our gardeners could be there to help. You can already see its potential. Thanks for your efforts to rescue it!
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Oh, and I wish I could get some experienced help like you have. It would be beautiful in no time.
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I bet that garden will be breathtaking when you get done with it! Hope you and the granddaughter have fun!
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Your MG project sounds a lot like what we’ve been doing at the 100yr old Hallstrom House. Lots of work but fun to see it looking better again, yeah?
I miss my Massachusetts autumn days…nothing quite like that cool crisp air! Enjoy your wonderful bounty and get those shovels ready! đ
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Full disclosure: I don’t garden any more, so have no suggestions for you. But I do enjoy looking at your photos!
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I use mushroom compost to amend the soil.
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How interesting. Is it available for purchase?
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Yes. I have seen it at Lowes and garden stores.
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Your new project sounds an interesting challenge. Good luck with it!
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All I can think of is a standard composting answer. I did a little compost pile over the summer and was happy to see that it all decomposed and turned to black gold so I am starting another one only THIS time I’ll just use on of the pots that my brilliant container garden plan didn’t work in ha ha …… Torrential downpours flooding container pots with miniature pumpkins…NO. Ditto for greenbeans. So I figured use one for another small composting round and use one for spring bulbs…then I dismantled my fairy garden and put lettuce seeds in there.
I have normal tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes that are okay, and then heirloom tomatoes ( all the same seeds though ) with weird green blotches up by the stem. For canning or sauce I’ve just been cutting away the blotch but next year….I will most likely go back to standard Early Girl, Big Boy etc / the heirlooms in my book are not giving me a full tomato for the money and work involved. Half of them look like ZOMBIE tomatoes, ha ha…and the one Early Girl plant? Each tomato is perfect.
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By the way that little Chapel is darling….I’d love to work in that garden with you as long as we didn’t plant tomatoes! đ
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If only you lived close enough to help, and for sure we’d plant no tomatoes!
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Oh lordy, you’ve been busy good for you!! potatoes look great! I am always working on my soil too. I think worm casting, lime & maybe peat moss will do the trick. I want to do a cover crop this year to help mine, but i am not sure what to use or where to buy it or anything really! don’t wear yourself out!
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If you come up with a good cover crop let me know. I keep reading and I haven’t found one that doesn’t cause you more grief in the spring.
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Oh really! Hmmm. I wish they would all stop telling us to do that then. I think covering the bed in a black plastic would be good for makin sure their were no weeds and breaking everything down well but it too seems like too much fuss.
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Reading your post about the disappointing growing season reminds me of what the early settlers endured. But there were no grocery stores for backup! I’m glad you have a good tomato harvest at least.
Your quilt is going to be very pretty. I love the soft, subtle colors. I can picture you snuggled up inside once the cold comes with that piece in your lap, happily stitching away!
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