Saturday we went to a neighboring town for a short seminar on what to do with your water garden in the fall. It was interesting but there was a lot of information that wasn’t useful to us as we don’t try to overwinter Tropicals; don’t even have tropicals as I prefer the more natural look. Because of the drought and early leaf drop we had already covered the pond with netting supported by this homemade pvc rigging. It will break down for storage. Behind it is one of the beds I am working on that is not finished and mulched yet.

Last year, with the netting just stretched across and anchored with rocks we had problems with frogs and snakes getting tangled so this should help by raising it up and leaving a space for the critters. So far, so good. I have finished the waterfall and I don’t think there are any leaks there now, but there is a leak somewhere as the water drops to a certain level pretty quick. I don’t even want to think about that!

On the way home, we stopped at one of my favorite plant farms and came away with about 20 new perennials. I tried to limit myself to things that would be happier in the conditions that I have. Salvia, Lamb’s Ear (the smooth one, with hot pink flowers), Blanket Flower, Coreopsis, Caryopteris, Plumbago and Maiden Grass. And Raspberry Wine Monarda that does require more water. I could have gone on because the fall sale prices were so good, but the thought of planting more than what I had already, stopped me! As it was, during the planting, I had to separate several bunches of daylily and transplant those as well!

The front beds don’t look like much right now, because everything is small but come spring it should be nice. The Clematis Rugoochii (SP?) is enjoying the cooler weather and the support of this little tower. There are soaker hoses under the mulch.

The Chaste Tree is also enjoying the change in the weather. The milder winter allowed it to get an earlier and more vigorous start and for the first time we are getting a second bloom!

We don’t often see this much moisture on the roses, I’m sure they are feeling much happier!

But behind them you can see that the lawn, where it was newer and not very established is really struggling and will need to be overseeded. The bare dirt is mole activity. They are also enjoying the moisture.

Tags: Gardening