Monday, September 21, 2015

September 21: Garden Update

We’ve had a warmer and dryer than usual September and as I wait for the last of my tomatoes to ripen, I have watered my garden every 3 to 4 days.  These long drinks remind the tomatoes to finish the job at hand and keep the grass that surrounds the garden lush.


Saturday was warm and sunny; the sort of day that can persuade you that summer will never end.  But on Sunday, Mother Nature looked at her calendar, saw that “autumnal equinox” was close on the horizon, and sent us a cool breeze.  The temperature eventually rose just above 80.  But as the morning haze gave way to blue skies with fast-moving, fluffy, white clouds, it was clear that things had changed.


The breeze that blew all day rang bell chimes, ruffled dry leaves on the trees, and sent the leaves that have already fallen skidding across the lawn.  Fall has arrived, as the dogwood branches confirm.


The week’s forecast of days in the 70s and nights in the 50s means that the garden will have time to finish the work of the season.  But fall is at hand and soon enough warm garden tomatoes will give way to drooping leaves.  Dahlia bulbs will be dug up.  The garden will be raked and the season’s leaves will be spread around to mulch and fertilize the soil.  The work guided by this seasonal change is a reminder to pause and appreciate all of the seasons.  


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