On a rainy Friday, as Nichole fizzled out, November 11, Veterans Day, I started putting out Christmas Santas. Shutter—before Thanksgiving! Well, at least it was after Holloween. I’m not putting everything out, just most of the Santas. I’m holding back the ones going in the dining room until after turkey day. Then we got a cold front through Sunday, November 12, so I decided to organize the rest of my Christmas decorations.
I have so many Santas, at least 50, that I’m having trouble storing. I have room in the attic, but getting them in and out each year is getting old, as am I. This year, I earmarked one of my huge red bins for Christmas for the kids. This will go into the attic and remain there until they have their own homes. After Christmas this year, I’m sure I will add more.
If you think I have a lot of Santas, you should see my ornament collection.
I tend to like change. It can be lonely in a changing world, but sometimes change can be welcomed, particularly in how I communicate this blog. Most of what was listed after the monthly photo journey has been moved to the directory. So now, if you want information on wildlife, for example, instead of scrolling down, you can just click under WILDLIFE to the right when you hover over the three-bar directory.
I hope you find this more useful! Let me know what you think!
#Leavetheleaves Here is a view of my Food Forest with a mix of collected leaves and chips. To me and those like me, find this BEAUTIFUL!, and as you know, we are all about redefining BEAUTIFUL!
We often think we want to have something planted for the wildlife to feed year-rounds. Typically what comes to mind are flowers and berries. But I have a question for you—Do you leave the leaves? It’s a good idea! I do, and I’m the crazy lady in your neighborhood collecting leaves from the street. I really like it when I find native oaks, maples, and elms. There’s a lot of life down there! Feed The Wildlife!!!! Just as important is the FREE Mulch! Our goal in sustainable gardening is not to buy products when nature gives them to us for free!
Leaves don’t have to be kept where they fall. Rake them and put into your garden beds. There is a lot of food in there and life. Don’t move them over. Would you like to be mowed over?
If you are worried about the leaves blowing around, they will flatten once a good rain comes. Often, I’ll find a chipping service to dump if I have enough or work with a neighbor to share. I can then put it over the leaves for it all to the last longer.
#Leave the leaves
Bee Better Naturally with Helen Yoest had another competition garden at the NC State Fair. We won second prize; of course we should have won first!
Back (40) feet North to South.
Many of the annual cutbacks went here to compost. The area was then covered with street-collected leaves.
Mixed Border, North to South.
Mixed Border, South to North.
The Corner Gazebo. You’ll not the pink flags. David wants to removed some trees that he believes will threaten the house during a hurricane or other bad storm.
The Epimedium Patch. The Epimedium Patch may recover. Ha! The rabbits ate them before they even spread their roots. The Voodoo lilies, Amorphophallus konjac, are spreading, though. They are always fun! By golly, I will make this what I always hoped it would be.
The Southside. The fig needs timing this winter, but not a hard one. That happened last year. I gave John, the City’s Greenhouse Manager, some seeds from the hardy kiwi. Actinidia arguta. Maybe other City Gardeners would like to grow it.
The Ostrich Patch. This patch will look great next year! Isn’t it wonderful how gardeners look forward to the next year and season? Those new to gardening plants wait for their garden to look as awesome as the magazine photos. It doesn’t work that way. We must be patient
The Food Forest. I’m thrilled with how this has turned out! The path is just right, and so is the amount of trees. After trimming the persimmon, Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu' last year, I only got one fruit. Next year will be better.
The Food Forest Extension. The blueberries are looking mighty fine!
The Entrance Garden.
The Parterre. I turned this into an annual bed. I think it will be better this way and easier on me in the long run.
The Raspberry/Scuppernog/River Bed. We are now in peak season of the hardy mums!
The Pollinator Garden. Instead of “going bananas,” itt was time for the bananas to go. They were wonderful for the 15 years I had them, but I wanted to try something different. I will be digging up the scuppernong. Remember, scuppernong is a variety of Muscadine. scuppernongs are muscadines, but not all Muscadines are Scuppernongs.
With the plants at the Fair, I redid this bed and added them here.
The Blackberry Patch. This winter, I need to redo the stakes of the blackberries. The weight of the blackberries tipped them. I think I will bring them all forward as well. The Chimney Swift area will primarily be for this fruit.
The North Side. Looking good with the green foliage of the acanthus. Used the Chip Drop for the mulch edging. As you can see, the left side has been done. Will get to the other side side, soon.
The Girl’s Garden. They are still not laying. At first, I thought it was the heat, but now I’m wondering if it is their age. I’ll probably stain the door as a winter project
The Wildlife Pond. Another winter project. I said I wasn’t going to do it, but I am.
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Until soon,
Helen
#WeCanAllBeeBetter!