Changing in a changing climate with Charlotte at Bluebird Gardens
Charlotte’s Tips for Fall Gardening
The changing of leaf color in fall in Missouri out my office window is surprising.
No two days ever look the same.
Perennially-green native Cedar trees hold on to green.
As morning haze burns off, the view gets a sunny tone, adding even more color.
The colors last until early November, or until a storm knocks leaves off.
Charlotte
"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn." -- Elizabeth Lawrence
In the midwest, of all of the four seasons, fall is a time when nature puts on a show just for us.
One day there's green and some brown, the result of a continuing midwest drought. Next day, trees and bushes seem to magically turn into a rainbow of colors. Leaves, too!
I didn't appreciate a bulb planter until I had gift bulbs to plant.
Think biscuit cutter, only for planting.
You insert the bulb planter into ground; turn, then easily remove soil.
Pop in a bulb. Cover. Water.
Is it spring yet?
Of the four seasons, spring and fall are sneezing seasons in Missouri. A high pollen count from wildflowers like yellow goldenrod are wonderful for honeybees but hard on people who have allergies.
According to Cindy Brick's "The Stitcher's Language of Flowers," this is a "sneezing ditty" from the Ozark Mountains:
"Sneeze on Monday, sneeze for fun:
Sneeze on Tuesday, see someone;
Sneeze on Wednesday, get a letter;
Sneeze on Thursday, something better,
Sneeze on Friday, sneeze for sorrow;
Sneeze on Saturday, a beau comes tomorrow,
Sneeze on Sunday, trouble on Monday."
I didn't appreciate a bulb planter until I had gift bulbs to plant.
Think biscuit cutter, only for planting.
You insert the bulb planter into ground; turn, then easily remove soil.
Pop in a bulb. Cover. Water.
Is it spring yet?
Charlotte
Have you heard Daddy Long Legs are poisonous?
It's not true, these arachnids often mistaken for spiders, are like ladybugs, good to have in your garden. Daddy Long Legs spiders feed on small insects, fungus, dead organisms and fecal material. They're also a bit of a change artist. Daddy Long Legs can also detach their legs which will continue to walk away and confuse would-be predators. They also have special glands that act as a repellent against ants.
Charlotte
If sticking coffee beans in one of my Mom’s orchids is considered
gardening, I’ve been gardening since I was 2 years old. I’ve always been
fascinated by how things grow and what we can do with them.
My Missouri limestone hill wildlife garden is also my sanctuary. I crave
it for the closeness I feel with God, and the spiritual renewal it gives
me. I will share my adventures here, all of them - even the ones that don’t
work - because I learn the most from failures.
The wonderful thing about a garden is that there is always a next year.
USDA Zone 6
Limestone Hillside
