Bits and pieces of the David phlox are still hanging in there, bless them. It’s clear, though, that they’re preparing to leave for the winter. We had a sunny day yesterday – so welcome after several dreary and rainy days – and I took some time to look at the gardens. They’re overgrown, of course. I haven’t been weeding because of my back. Come to think of it, I probably wouldn’t have weeded them anyway. I usually lose interest in weeding by August.
Once again, I have a morning glory climbing the chicken wire fence that is lovely but has no flowers. Do you remember the days when I routinely had tons of flowers on the vines? Now, they seem to bloom much later, if at all, and it’s always just before a frost hits. Climate change? Soil problems? I don’t know. I’m reluctant to give up on them because I’m ever hopeful, I guess. I loved the look of those beautiful morning glories. Sigh.
Truth be told, I sort of gave up on everything after the drought. I spent hours watering the garden beds, especially the chicken wire fence garden. And some of the beds revived and did well. But others suffered.
I finished The Ink Black Heart yesterday. Excellent! I’ve never had 1000+ pages move along so smoothly and effortlessly. It was completely engrossing. Sometimes after a particularly wonderful read, I need a brief palate cleanser before I make a decision as to what to read next. I’ve found that Georges Simenon’s shortish Maigret mysteries are perfect. I chose Maigret and the Man on the Bench which was on my TBR pile. I suspect that I’ll start Maggie O’Farrell’s newest, The Marriage Portrait, after I finish the Maigret.
Today, I’m going to mow. I’ll be careful and I’ve made a vow not to take on too much. I’ll start with the back forty where the grass is very long, then, the corral area. But right now, it’s too wet with morning dew so I’ll have to wait until it dries.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
i hope the flowers return next year for you.
glad you ‘ll take it easy when mowing. and that you have another book ready to enjoy.
heading over to help with prep work for some windows getting replaced today and then to put things back into place. glad it is to be dry, sunny and not super-hot today.
hope you, don and everyone else here have a great day. stay safe!
kathy
It’s 74 today, most likely the last day it will get this warm. I’m enjoying it.
Stay safe.
You are not alone. I lost interest in weeding due to the hot weather this summer too. Now the weeds are 4 ‘ tall and the wind is blowing the seeds everywhere. I can’t possibly clear a summer’s worth of weeds so will just clear along the side of the driveway for the snow plow.
Morning glories need full sun all day and they like even moisture so that might have been the problem this year,
My mom always said, “wait and see what happens next year.” A good motto for gardeners.
I’m going to pick up Ink Black Heart at the library.
They do get full sun all day. If anything they get more sun than they used to because we lost part of a tree that shaded them a few years ago. And the past three summers, they’ve had plenty of moisture and still didn’t bloom.
Enjoy the book, Betsy!
Stay safe.
I was hoping it was the sun. Mine haven’t bloomed in 2 years and I thought it was because a tree has grown over them . Fingers crossed for next year!
Fall has definitely arrived this morning.
It’s chilly! Only a high of 57 here today!
xoxo
It was late July I think the last time I weeded. With the mulch, most areas didn’t need it, but the skimpy areas had weeds galore. Next year…new mulch.
We are to get a freeze tonight…all my tomatoes and peppers have been picked. I will miss my flowers, but at least the hydrangeas will keep on looking fall’ish’ as they dry.
A slow and easy mow sounds like a good plan….happy mowing! ;)
Sorry you’re getting a freeze, Donna. I don’t see any freezing temps on the horizon, but I’m sure they’ll be here soon.
Stay safe!
Love the photo
Take it easy mowing.
Thank you, Brenda.
I did a lot of mowing and now I’m resting with the heating pad.
Stay safe.
A garden at the end of the season has its own charm. Don’t overdo the mowing. Hope your visit to New York City goes well. Hugs, Elaine
Not going to the city until next week as the schedule has changed.
Stay safe, Elaine.
I have had the very same problem with MG’s the last several years This year I gave up and did not plant any. They used to be later bloomers but full of blooms and beautiful flowers. Then for a few years they still grew, but blossomed just about the time of the first frosts and freeze. Then they grew and did nothing at all in the way of blooms. Same thing here ~ plenty of sun and watered faithfully. They were always some of my favorites, too.
Glad you were able to mow. As Donnamae said, we are getting our first freeze tonight. We have pretty much cleaned out all of the pots and the veg garden, so I am ready to face the inevitable. I have heard that the colors this year are beautiful. We will have to take a drive to check them out on a sunny day very soon. Safe travels this weekend. Take care.
I wonder what is causing the change? I’m sorry you’re having it too, but it’s comforting to know it’s not only me.
The colors here, unfortunately, aren’t all that beautiful because of the drought. And this is an area that people travel to in order to see the colors and pick apples.
Stay safe, Chris.
If you planted the morning glories from seeds that you purchased, it’s possible that they are hybrids that are not meant to bloom for more than a few seasons, no matter how well you tend them.
No, that’s not it. I buy new seeds every year because morning glories do not survive the winter here.
Thanks, Dana.
Stay safe.