New England

To borrow from Mr. Rogers – it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

This photo was taken yesterday at the reservoir that provides water for Portsmouth. The fall color is stunning, but there is no water going over the spillway because we are still under severe drought conditions.

I’ve been composting annuals, deadheading, dividing and moving perennials and shrubs, and incorporating compost into the veggie beds.

I also worked several days on a new duck house. I’m the gofer, holder, and painter. I do love to paint. This was definitely a DIY/repurposing project since we took down a tree fort my husband built the grandkids and included those materials in the construction. There are six resident ducks, and they seem to be pretty happy with their new home.

Saturday we held our first fall MG plant potting party. I dug up buckets of perennials and along with nine other MGs, we potted up 312 plants in three hours. They are being over wintered at a member ‘s house who has 15 acres. He dug trenches, the plants were put in, soil added on all sides, and then they will be covered. We’re hoping the plants will be well established and bigger for the 2017 plant sale.

Two gardeners brought me gifts. Did you ever wonder what one gardener gives to another? I received a fresh butternut squash and Jack in the Pulpit seeds, and I smiled all the way home.

Before I headed home, I stopped by McKenzie’s Farm and bought some fresh apple cider cinnamon donuts and macoun apples. I must confess that one of those donuts didn’t make it home and was eaten warm  while I headed down the road. Ah, fall, it is a wonderful time of year especially before I have to start raking.

This week I’ll take in the potting tables, bird baths, and other things that need to be stored in the barn and not left out under feet of snow.

Next Saturday, I’ll spend the day in Concord at the MG Fall Conference. Rick Darke will be discussing Layering, Designing, and Maintaining the Living Landscape,  Elizabeth Farnsworth will talk about climate change and the effect on plant life here, and Chris Schadler will tell us about the Eastern Coyote in New England. My pulse is quickening already.

How’s this mid week in October looking for you? 🍁