Good morning, gardeners, and welcome to the Saturday Morning Garden Blog!
Autumn is here, and moreover, it's the autumn of a presidential election year. It may not be the most uplifting notion, but it occurred to me the other day that my garden is looking as exhausted and fragile as i feel. Although we won't be able to fully exhale until November 9th, now that my vote's been cast, i feel a little less uneasy. So let's grab a mug of coffee that's been infused with autumnal herbs and have a look around my very wet backyard …
The summer drought is over, and it's raining here in the Pacific Northwest. But even though the blooms have faded, autumn color is on the rise.
Here's a splash of red hidden in the foliage of my favorite magnolia tree …
This tree is such a delight that i've decided to plant several more next Spring. I do think it may be trying to self-propagate, but let's fact it - i'm not getting any younger …
In the perennial garden, the agapanthus are mere skeletons of their former selves (which seems somehow appropriate since Halloween is around the corner) …
After a long, dry summer, the flowering bushes are looking a little anemic …
But a rain-drenched rose is still hanging in there …
In one of the herb barrels, rosemary and chives are attempting a yin/yang twist …
Out in the orchard, some of the fruit trees are putting on a beautiful show of color …
Even if the foliage hasn't turned quite yet, bright red apples still dangle from arched branches …
The persimmon is awash with rusty reds and oranges …
And the Parrotia somehow brings it all together …
Even on the greyest of days, the colors of autumn seem to soothe the soul …
On the way to the trails, fallen leaves are crunchy and fragrant …
Mosses and ferns are once again beginning to take hold …
Water is flowing through the streams again …
Sometimes, things just look better when they're wet …
All in all, i'm pretty pleased to put this summer behind me - autumn has its own sort of delicious magic. This is the time for cozy socks and oversized sweaters. This is the time for good books and some carefully selected Netflix marathons. This is the time for mulled ciders and long-simmering stews. And this year, this is the time to vote for a new President of the United States. I just can't wait 'til she's sworn into office.
What's going on in your gardens?
PS: The upcoming Saturday Morning Garden Blog hosting schedule is almost completely empty!
November 5th — Kishik
November 12th —
November 19th —
November 26th —
December 3rd —
December 10th —
December 17th —
December 24th —
December 31st —
If anyone would like to take a weekend, drop a note in the comment section (or send one of us a private message). We'd love to add a few new writers to the mix.