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Saturday Gardening Thread: Going Foliar [KT]

autumn-i-new-england.jpg

I love fall leaves. The photo above was posted by a blogger from Connecticut preparing to leave on a country-western dance hall/sightseeing road trip to Texas.

For anyone who stumbles onto this travel blog, and is not familiar with New England's fall foliage, scenes like this are what surround us for a few short weeks. We don't have to travel anywhere in particular...but, that doesn't stop us from driving distances in search of the "best" of what is already pretty amazing, almost anywhere you look.

I am only mentioning this, because autumn in New England is arguably my favorite time of year. But, I am making this little sacrifice of leaving New England at the height of our fall foliage season, in order to visit some equally beautiful places "down South".

Too bad you can't be in two places at once.

There are lots of places I would like to visit during the fall foliage season. Any nice leaf displays near where you live? In your yard?

Here's a photo from the City of Provo, Utah. Different color palette. There are some breath-taking expanses of golden aspens in the mountain range above Provo if you catch them at the right time.

provo city 10 18.jpg

The Horde does Photography and Art

Our own master photographer Don in Kansas took some photos at the botanical garden at the end of last month. The photo below isn't "fall foliage", but it is spectacular foliage. Coleus. Have you ever grown any that looks this good? There are some great flower close-ups (and other wonderful photos) at the link.

coleus da.jpg

We got a nice surprise in the mail from George V, "Frequent reader, rare commenter".

Hi KT,
I always enjoy the gardening thread, although I don't do much myself.

We do have some apple trees and a raspberry patch that have both produced well this year in our part of the world, Southeast Michigan. I finally got this picture out of the camera from early September as the fall berries started to come in. I've had new companions in the berry patch - this little fellow who's about 1 1/4" long and one who was even smaller. I've not seen this variety of bright green tree frog before in our yard. The first time I saw him he jumped away from my hand and I almost jumped out of my skin!

Thanks again for the gardening thread.

I love this little guy:

20170909_110754.jpg

Speaking of apple trees, are you considering planting one? King Arthur Flour did a comparison of pies made from different apples. They chose Granny Smith as the best they tested. I am not sure I agree. Granny Smiths are often sold before they are ripe. I thought the cooking and selection tips in the comments were interesting. Would you choose apples to grow yourself for fresh eating, storage, cooking or a combination?

Incidentally, a friend made some mighty fine fried apples a couple of weeks ago. On the tart side, but buttery. Easier than pie. . .

bestapples.jpg

Sherpa_K2 has send in a bouquet, or maybe a still life, for us to hang on the AoSHQ Garden Thread Refrigerator. I think it's great. Looks like someone ate some tomatoes before adding the sepals to the arrangement. Anyone care to do some flower I.D.?

DSC_9006 (3).JPG

He also send in in a lovely photo of an end-of-summer Hollyhock. I think it makes a nice challenge to JTB and others in The Horde who do drawing or painting from nature, because of the interesting open seed capsule below the flower.

Speaking of drawing, I took a bunch of leaves to Cub Scouts this week as part of a plant and tree identification project. The boys did rubbings (with old crayons, used sideways) of leaves between two sheets of paper. Recommended as a way to get kids, or yourself, away from electronics for a while. It's slightly magical to see the images of the leaves appear. Hollyhock leaves were the biggest leaves I took. They have a nice, somewhat hand-like "Halloween is coming" vein structure. If you or a kid you know would like to send in a leaf rubbing, maybe we could post it.

DSC_8215 (4).jpg

Those are shingles in the background. Wonder if a ladder was involved in the taking of that photo?

The Holihock disdains the common size
Of Herbs, and like a tree do's proudly rise,
Proud she appears, but try her, and you'll find
No plant more mild, or friendly to mankind
She gently all obstructions doth unbind.

Abraham Cowley

The poem above comes from Part 4 of 6 essays on hollyhocks at this site. The first known image of one in cultivation seems to be from 9th Century China.

We've discussed hollyhocks before, along with hollyhock dolls and parades, but it's been over a year. (Don't comment on old threads). The kind pictured was the ultra-double form favored in Victorian England. Some commenters expressed nostalgia for the single types. So I thought that maybe now was a good time for a little additional information on hollyhocks. For the artistically-minded, Frank Lloyd Wright did a Hollyhock House inspired by the geometry of this plant.

One of the challenges to growing hollyhocks is hollyhock rust, a fungal disease. There are some control strategies, but some of the single and semi-double kinds have some resistance, too. Vietnamese hollyhocks are recommended for Florida. Dwarf, award-winning Queenie Purple is recommended for New Orleans, between hurricane seasons. Nice flower list for the brave-hearted.

Happy Lights is the result of a cross between the common Alcea rosea and the rust-resistant yellow fig-leafed hollyhock. I like it.

happy l.jpg

Anything going on in your garden? If you would like to send information and/or photos for the Saturday Gardening Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden
at g mail dot com

Include your nic unless you want to be a lurker.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 01:00 PM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 I was going to take down the veggie garden today. But it's raining, and I'll wait for a dryer day. My wife dumped some of the smaller tater containers yesterday and left the spuds on a table to cure a bit. Someone stole them. I suspect they're going to be surprised when they cut into all-blues, because they are all blue. Many folks do not like the look of purple or blue taters.

Posted by: Gordon at October 21, 2017 01:05 PM (+En3w)

2 And yeah, we pretty much know who took them. It's one of those "this is why we can't have nice things" situations.

Posted by: Gordon at October 21, 2017 01:07 PM (+En3w)

3 Darm, Gordon. I hate when you go to all that work and someone steals your potatoes. We had it happen with fruit this summer.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 01:10 PM (BVQ+1)

4 Sorry I'm late with the thread today. Technical difificulties. Partly.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 01:11 PM (BVQ+1)

5 I love the Coleus. When my baby brother died when I was three, someone gave my mom a beautiful burgundy-colored Coleus. To my child's mind, it became "Daniel's plant" and remains so. I always get a little misty when I see one.

Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 01:14 PM (wyW7g)

6 California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 01:14 PM

That's tender.

And you're right. That is a beautiful photo.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 01:19 PM (BVQ+1)

7 I bought a pair of high end drones to do some fall foliage photography this year. I wanted to get some pictures of the hardwoods on the mountain sides and my body just isn't going to let me hike in and out the way I used to. Flight times are 25+ minutes and they have 4k camera's I will use for video's and still shots. I hope it goes the way I think it will because there should be a totally different perspective and shots of places you really can't hike into easily. Technology is going to work in my favor.

Posted by: Gmac - 'All politics in this country now is dress-rehearsal for civil war' at October 21, 2017 01:22 PM (qZdIZ)

8 What type of coleus is that? It's beautiful.

Posted by: Infidel at October 21, 2017 01:24 PM (4ZKcy)

9 Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 01:14 PM (wyW7g)


{{{Hugs}}}

Thank you for sharing that. I'm so sorry you lost your baby brother. In your heart & mind his spirit still lives...and in Daniel's Plant. You honor him with beauty.

Posted by: Professor Chaos aka gumdrop gorilla at October 21, 2017 01:28 PM (phyXb)

10 I don't know what kind of coleus that is. Wish I did.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 01:32 PM (BVQ+1)

11 http://preview.tinyurl.com/ybag4hvm

Gilda. Maybe this is it.

Posted by: Infidel at October 21, 2017 01:34 PM (4ZKcy)

12 I bought a pair of high end drones to do some fall foliage photography this year. I wanted to get some pictures of the hardwoods on the mountain sides and my body just isn't going to let me hike in and out the way I used to

---

how much does that cost you?

asking for a friend who lives near the girls dorm...

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at October 21, 2017 01:36 PM (vChNs)

13 These plants are now dying because of Trump's Pro-Global Warming agenda........

Posted by: Mary Clogginstien from Brattleboro at October 21, 2017 01:43 PM (WmgTn)

14 Infidel at October 21, 2017 01:34 PM

That one does look quite similar. If it's the same one, Don's photo is better, though.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 01:45 PM (BVQ+1)

15 KT your sense of arrangement and the time you spend putting this thread together for the horde is simply breathtaking. Morning coffee wit KT and her gardening thread.

Posted by: sherpa_k2 at October 21, 2017 01:46 PM (QAFyR)

16 i'll be in Gwyenth Paltrow's bunk

Posted by: Harvey W at October 21, 2017 01:46 PM (vChNs)

17 Professor and KT, thank you for your warm thoughts. I appreciate them.

Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 01:49 PM (wyW7g)

18 KT, I agree. Would love to find one. Does Don know what it is?

Posted by: Infidel at October 21, 2017 01:49 PM (4ZKcy)

19 sherpa_k2 at October 21, 2017 01:46 PM

Thanks for the comments and the material. Did you use a ladder to take that photo?

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 01:49 PM (BVQ+1)

20 Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.

Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 01:50 PM (NWiLs)

21 Beautiful photography. The second picture is particularly stunning.

Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 01:51 PM (NWiLs)

22 KT, I agree. Would love to find one. Does Don know what it is?

Might want to ask at his website.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 01:56 PM (BVQ+1)

23 Dance halls in Texas, don't miss Gruene Hall in Gruene Texas. Pronounced Green. A lot of country stars got their start there. I used to live just down the river and could hear Willie Nelson or Clint Black from my backyard.

Posted by: Dumpsterjuice at October 21, 2017 01:57 PM (wyiRb)

24 Yay, gardening thread! I almost bought a big bag of daffodil bulbs but wanted to research first. Apparently one plants them now in order to enjoy them later. I'm thinking of putting them all around the outside of the screen porch, that seems like the best sun situation for them.

Posted by: Peaches at October 21, 2017 01:58 PM (14URa)

25 Love that little tree frog. We don't get tree frogs out here. Did have a toad in the bedroom a while ago. Not nearly as cute.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 01:59 PM (BVQ+1)

26 Peaches at October 21, 2017 01:58 PM

Don't line them up single-file. They will look better in groups. Have fun!

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:01 PM (BVQ+1)

27 Gorgeous trees ... and the tree ID and rubbings sounds like an excellent cub scout project. Nice to get kids started early, observing the details.

My grandparents picked hard maples out of the woods based on how nice their fall colors would be, and planted them on the north side of the house ... and a couple other spots. They weren't real bright this year, and the winds are already taking them down, but still pretty.

Drones ... yeah, I gotta get me one. I guess for about $1200 one can buy a pretty decent one. And the range is over a half mile ... good way to check out those bird nests way up in the tree, unless the parent hawk or vulture decides to attack the drone.

Beautiful fall weather here, though it popped up to 80 degrees for today ... cooling off tomorrow. cheers to the horde

Posted by: illiniwek at October 21, 2017 02:01 PM (/aIFg)

28 Skip can't post but we know he's here in spirit!

Posted by: kallisto at October 21, 2017 02:02 PM (53MZt)

29 Don't line them up single-file. They will look better in groups. Have fun!


Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:01 PM (BVQ+1)
Really? That's exactly what I was going to do, KT! This is why I will now be popping into the gardening thread. Solid advice from people who actually know what they're doing (since I don't).

Posted by: Peaches at October 21, 2017 02:03 PM (14URa)

30 Hi KT and everybody,

Running a bit late to the thread. I love those photos. The still life looks like something I would have arranged when I did photography. And be assured, I will try to sketch it and the hollyhock. I had forgotten about crayon rubbings. Hope the scouts had fun. You can do the same thing, especially for more delicate objects, with soft artist charcoal.

Posted by: JTB at October 21, 2017 02:03 PM (V+03K)

31 Found a Brahminy Blind Snake on the driveway today. Swept it into the lawn so it can eat the ants. That's the extent of my gardening this week.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at October 21, 2017 02:03 PM (IcT7t)

32 KT I used a step ladder at a distance of about 30' and believe it or not it is still there and last one standing.

Posted by: sherpa_k2 at October 21, 2017 02:04 PM (QAFyR)

33 Dance halls. . .where I grew up, if a guy couldn't two-step, he couldn't get laid. I could, but I envied the guys who had that jitterbug style. The kind of style where he just sort of stands there as a living pole and the gal is flying around him.

Thanks, KT. I wouldn't begrudge anyone some potatoes, and we do share with our neighbors. But coming into someone's backyard, well, that can get you shot. Even here in very blue Minneapolis, it might be hard to convict a homeowner who felt the need. . . .

Posted by: Gordon at October 21, 2017 02:04 PM (+En3w)

34 Kansas City & suburbs have gorgeous fall colors. A longtime radio personality once noted that October was the reason people who lived there, stayed there.

Once spent a week in Harper's Ferry WVa during the height of their fall foliage. All these years later, I remember -- just, WOW.

Posted by: Shopgirl at October 21, 2017 02:06 PM (ASGHc)

35 On my place all the leaves have turned except for the lilacs. Most have fallen.

Posted by: Ronster at October 21, 2017 02:06 PM (fC+mL)

36 BTW, tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. I mention it because that year was THE BEST autumn color this area has had in over 35 years. Driving down Skyline Drive was part of the honeymoon and, despite any romantic haze, the foliage was spectacular.

Not great color around here this year but even the yellows and light browns can look wonderful when the sunlight shines through.

Posted by: JTB at October 21, 2017 02:09 PM (V+03K)

37 20 Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.
Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 01:50 PM (NWiLs)

---

but we get apple pie

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at October 21, 2017 02:09 PM (vChNs)

38 Normally I don't much go for the semi-double hollyhocks, but there's a pind and white fringed one that a guy from Wisconsin brought back from Costa Rica called "Fiesta Time" that's kind of appealing. It comes on about a half-height plant.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:09 PM (BVQ+1)

39 Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 01:50 PM (NWiLs)


lol
I know that is from somewhere in the bible, I don't know where. It used to bum me out, but today I saw you post it and it made me laugh. You are a card Mr. Insomniac.

Posted by: Professor Chaos aka gumdrop gorilla at October 21, 2017 02:10 PM (phyXb)

40 Annie's annuals and Perennials used to sell a fringed single pink and white hollyhock called Aunt Brownie's Fig Leaf. I might want to establish this one if none of my neighbors had hollyhocks. It's a looker. Not overly tall.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:12 PM (BVQ+1)

41 Supper the other night was a huge salad made from our second growth leaf lettuce and the ripened-on-the-window-sill tomatoes. Considering this wasn't a great gardening year for us, having a salad this late was a real treat.

Posted by: JTB at October 21, 2017 02:13 PM (V+03K)

42 illiniwek at October 21, 2017 02:01 PM

Nice story about your grandfather and maple trees.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:15 PM (BVQ+1)

43 Blanco Basura at October 21, 2017 02:03 PM

I have never heard of that kind of a snake. Sounds like one of the more useful ones to have around.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:17 PM (BVQ+1)

44 a commenter here suggested apple pie with a cheddar cheese crust. I also saw a recipe for deep dish sour cream apple pie. So much goodness out of that fruit, no wonder Eve couldn't resist.

Posted by: kallisto at October 21, 2017 02:17 PM (53MZt)

45 but we get apple pie

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at October 21, 2017 02:09 PM (vChNs)

Fair point. As long as you don't contaminate it with cheddar cheese. This is an abomination.

Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 02:17 PM (NWiLs)

46 sherpa_k2 at October 21, 2017 02:04 PM

Amazing that your hollyhock is still there. I have one still blooming and some new plants starting up. Volunteers. The one that's blooming is a "black" one.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:19 PM (BVQ+1)

47 Posted by: Professor Chaos aka gumdrop gorilla at October 21, 2017 02:10 PM (phyXb)

Thanks, I try. It's from Genesis 3. Humor keeps me from sinking into the abyss.

Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 02:19 PM (NWiLs)

48 Happy Anniversary JTB

Posted by: kallisto at October 21, 2017 02:19 PM (53MZt)

49 My late father-in-law used to say, "Apple pie with out cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze." Made me laugh, but I still have never brought myself to try it. It just sounds wrong.

Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 02:19 PM (wyW7g)

50 49 My late father-in-law used to say, "Apple pie with out cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze." Made me laugh, but I still have never brought myself to try it. It just sounds wrong.
Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 02:19 PM (wyW7g)

And tastes wrong. The only thing that belongs with apple pie is vanilla ice cream.

Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 02:20 PM (NWiLs)

51 wow Gordon, so sorry you have a bad neighbor. I can't imagine stealing produce right out of someone's yard. If I was on a thrill spree or desperate I would take like 25% and figure they might think they just didn't have as much as they thought or critters got into things. But then my mom raised me to have empathy and I have dabbled in the garden enough to know how much work it is, so I would feel just awful stealing the fruits of all that labor just to save a few bucks at the grocers.

Posted by: PaleRider at October 21, 2017 02:20 PM (84F5k)

52 The only thing that belongs with apple pie is vanilla ice cream.

Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 02:20 PM (NWiLs)

I am in complete agreement. Especially if the pie is warm. Mmmm.

Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 02:21 PM (wyW7g)

53 And tastes wrong. The only thing that belongs with apple pie is vanilla ice cream.

Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 02:20 PM (NWiLs)
Could not agree more, Insomniac! But, not much of a cheese-lover, myself. In fact, I have the palate of a 5-year-old.

Posted by: Peaches at October 21, 2017 02:22 PM (14URa)

54 JTB at October 21, 2017 02:09 PM

Congratulations on your anniversary!

And yes, sunlight makes a difference. In life, too.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:23 PM (BVQ+1)

55 this is Lost Angels... we don't do seasons here.

well, except for santa anas, so the fall colors here will likely be grayish-white and brown smoke clouds the next few days...

too much dry vegetation and too many dumb asses means it will be a miracle if we don't get one or more big fires here in the next few days.

Posted by: redc1c4 at October 21, 2017 02:23 PM (gVCVQ)

56 5 I love the Coleus. When my baby brother died when I was three, someone gave my mom a beautiful burgundy-colored Coleus. To my child's mind, it became "Daniel's plant" and remains so. I always get a little misty when I see one.
Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 01:14 PM (wyW7g)

Damn. I'm so sorry.

Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 02:24 PM (NWiLs)

57 I'm apple pie w/cheddar curious. YOLO

Posted by: kallisto at October 21, 2017 02:26 PM (53MZt)

58 I have never heard of that kind of a snake. Sounds like one of the more useful ones to have around.

I had never heard of it before this morning. Thought it was worm, until it started moving.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at October 21, 2017 02:26 PM (IcT7t)

59 Thanks, I try. It's from Genesis 3. Humor keeps me from sinking into the abyss.
Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 02:19 PM (NWiLs)


Ya know, the abyss is chock full of capers. And if those don't get ya, the brussel sprouts will.

Posted by: Professor Chaos aka gumdrop gorilla at October 21, 2017 02:26 PM (phyXb)

60 Dammit. Now y'all have me wanting Dutch apple pie.

All threads morph into other threads over time. Usually gun threads, but this one's on track to become an early cooking thread...

Posted by: Brother Cavil, this space for rent! Call 1-800-MORON-AD for details! at October 21, 2017 02:28 PM (66CWr)

61 I love the fall color photos, they are beautiful.

The coleus is gorgeous. I have one hanging on my porch but it's not that colorful.

Posted by: CaliGirl at October 21, 2017 02:29 PM (Ri/rl)

62 56
5 I love the Coleus. When my baby brother died when I was three, someone
gave my mom a beautiful burgundy-colored Coleus. To my child's mind, it
became "Daniel's plant" and remains so. I always get a little misty
when I see one.

Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 01:14 PM (wyW7g)



Damn. I'm so sorry.

Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 02:24 PM (NWiLs)

Thank you. It's been decades since his departure, and, even though I was a little one myself at the time, I've never forgotten him. I take comfort in the fact that I'm that many years closer to seeing him again than I was before. He was a sweet baby.

Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 02:30 PM (wyW7g)

63 Mary i believe they are annuals unless you live in an area that doesn't get too cold

Posted by: willow at October 21, 2017 02:31 PM (FKrah)

64 Thank you. It's been decades since his departure, and, even though I was a little one myself at the time, I've never forgotten him. I take comfort in the fact that I'm that many years closer to seeing him again than I was before. He was a sweet baby.
Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 02:30 PM (wyW7g)

Suddenly got all dusty in here. Yeah, dusty...

Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 02:31 PM (NWiLs)

65 Peaches, Daffodils are my favorite flower, especially the scented ones. I don't grow them, just get potted ones. Hope they work for you. Those early spring green leaves poking through the soil, or snow, tell me winter is waning and whisper of milder temperatures to come.

Posted by: JTB at October 21, 2017 02:31 PM (V+03K)

66 Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 02:30 PM (wyW7g)

That is super sad, California Girl. I can't even fathom how families survive something like that, although I know a few who have. I'm so sorry.

Posted by: Peaches at October 21, 2017 02:32 PM (14URa)

67 Ya know, the abyss is chock full of capers. And if those don't get ya, the brussel sprouts will.

Posted by: Professor Chaos aka gumdrop gorilla at October 21, 2017 02:26 PM (phyXb)

Brussels sprouts are Satan's dingleberries.

Posted by: Insomniac - Getting Microaggressed on the Daily, Yo! at October 21, 2017 02:32 PM (NWiLs)

68 California very sorry about your losing a sibling so very young, must have been a truly horrible ordeal for your whole family..

Posted by: willow at October 21, 2017 02:33 PM (FKrah)

69 JTB, daffodils are very high on my list of flowers to love. I've only ever done container gardening (and only flowers, always), so this is a grand opportunity for me. I was looking at pots in the Lowe's yesterday (having stupidly given away some lovely and expensive ones when I thought the truck wouldn't hold all my stuff) and then I thought, heck, I don't need pots, I've got the "back 40!" And the front, too, but life happens in the back here, overlooking the pond. I thought of buying packets of wildflower seeds and just tossing them out where they don't mow and see what happens. Not sure when to do that, though, with winter coming on fairly soon.

Posted by: Peaches at October 21, 2017 02:35 PM (14URa)

70 kallisto,

Thanks for being Skip's voice while he can't comment. You got something going on apple pie.

Granny Smith apples are one of a relatively few that do well around here, though I don't have a tree. They taste really different when they're really ripe than when they're not so ripe, even though they are still pretty green when ripe.

My Dad used to go to West Yellowstone when he was single just to get green apple pie Wonder if Granny Smith is a better pie apple green or ripe?

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:37 PM (BVQ+1)

71 Went out to refill the bird feeder and water dish. I love the little critters but my God what a mess...I may put plastic sheeting down by where they congregate. The foliage around here hasn't really got going yet. It's so warm today.

Posted by: kallisto at October 21, 2017 02:37 PM (53MZt)

72 Does sage go dormant in So Cal for winter? Or is mine just dead like it looks?

Posted by: keena at October 21, 2017 02:39 PM (RiTnx)

73 Peaches, We have done the packet of wildflower seeds in years past. Sprinkled them in a moist area of the yard. While not spectacular, the result was lovely and pleasant to look at. It was one of those "so easy even I can do it" projects. Our mix was of annuals only.

Posted by: JTB at October 21, 2017 02:40 PM (V+03K)

74 70 . I never knew there was a distinction between green and ripe Granny Smiths, just have experience with the tart ones. One baker recommends a mix of Golden Delicious and GS in the pie. My mouth is watering just thinking about this, lol.

Posted by: kallisto at October 21, 2017 02:44 PM (53MZt)

75 Peaches at October 21, 2017 02:35 PM

The problem with just tossing out wildflower seeds is weeds. You might try laying down 3 or 4 layers of newspaper in an areal without aggressive perennial weeds, covereing with a few inches of mulch and throwing the wildflower seeds in the mulch.

Where do you live? When to plant depend on what kind of seeds they are and how cold your winters get.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:44 PM (BVQ+1)

76 keena at October 21, 2017 02:39 PM

I would vote for "dead". You might try cutting it way back and really reducing water.

My sage tends to die just before Thanksgiving. So now is about the right time. Heh.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:47 PM (BVQ+1)

77 The problem with just tossing out wildflower seeds
is weeds. You might try laying down 3 or 4 layers of newspaper in an
areal without aggressive perennial weeds, covereing with a few inches of
mulch and throwing the wildflower seeds in the mulch.

Where do you live? When to plant depend on what kind of seeds they are and how cold your winters get.


Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:44 PM (BVQ+1)
Just moved to south of Indianapolis from LA. There's a big ol' pond out there and, while they left me a packet of that weed barrier stuff, I thought with the wildflower seeds, I could just toss 'em over near the pond and see what happens. Should I do now or wait till the spring thaw? Prob'ly the birds will eat 'em anyway but I'm not doing any sort of major project until I find my socks.

Posted by: Peaches at October 21, 2017 02:48 PM (14URa)

78 I do not like Warm pies or cookies or donuts.

I do not like them
in a house.
I do not like them
with a mouse.
I do not like them
here or there.
I do not like them
anywhere.

I know that's weird, but here I am.

Posted by: Professor Chaos aka gumdrop gorilla at October 21, 2017 02:49 PM (phyXb)

79 Peaches and Willow,
It was a horrible time and completely unexpected tragedy. My young parents held on to what they had--God, each other, and me. I can't imagine how difficult it was for them; I know it was hard enough for me. I'm thankful to have known Daniel and thankful for parents who didn't let our little family fall apart afterwards. I know it happens sometimes, which makes a tragedy double fold. I'm also thankful for little things, like the Coleus, which bring him to mind and help keep his memory alive for me.

Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 02:49 PM (wyW7g)

80 I know that's weird, but here I am.



Posted by: Professor Chaos aka gumdrop gorilla at October 21, 2017 02:49 PM (phyXb)
That really is weird. I would kill for a warm donut right now. But, I will have to soldier on with cold beer. :-)

Posted by: Peaches at October 21, 2017 02:50 PM (14URa)

81 I love sharp cheddar cheese with certain ripe apples. Like Fuji. We have been getting Honeycrisps in the store lately. Anybody had a relly ripe honeycrisp? The ones we are getting seem under-flavored.

Galas now seem past their prime in the stores around here, too. Love them in season.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:51 PM (BVQ+1)

82 Best pie apples are Gravenstein, if you can find them.

And of course, sharp Cheddar cheese is good on apple pie. The salty-savory note of the cheese complements the sweetness of the apple filling. It's not like there isn't a long tradtion of dishes made with contrasting flavors, is there? The whole is greater than the sun of its parts.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon, survivor of GNAMM at October 21, 2017 02:51 PM (O848g)

83 Peaches at October 21, 2017 02:48 PM

You could put a heavier layer of mulch on top of the weed barrier, too. I might try scattering some of the seeds now and some in spring. Because you would be planting a non-specialized mixture. If you want to go for specifi wildflowers, let me know.

Illiniwek has those wild Heleniums right at the edge of his pond. You could maybe plant some commercial varieties. I would start the plants indoors, though.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 02:55 PM (BVQ+1)

84 78 I do not like Warm pies or cookies or donuts.

Posted by: Professor Chaos aka gumdrop gorilla at October 21, 2017 02:49 PM (phyXb)

---

What did you do for God to punish you like that?

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at October 21, 2017 02:57 PM (vChNs)

85 God gives us gifts every day. Unfortunately, we are blinded by lesser things and fail to notice such blessings.

Thank you for sharing those blessings.

Posted by: Adirondack Patriot at October 21, 2017 02:57 PM (b01zK)

86 Cali, I just realized the screensaver on my phone has a big old burgundy coleus in it. So I too will think of little Daniel when my phone rings. His memory lives on. (Hopefully I'll remember to send the pic to KT. It's from when I was hemmed in by pavement - a planting I created to keep me sane in the asphalt jungle.)

Posted by: kallisto at October 21, 2017 02:59 PM (7l5V0)

87 RE: daffodils

If you plant your daffodils in full sun leave them alone they'll bloom for you every spring for years to come. By leaving them alone, I mean after they bloom next spring cut off the dead flower-heads leave the rest of the plant to die back on its own. DON'T braid the leaves or cut them off until they turn totally brown shrivel up. That will let the daffs build up their bulbs to bloom again year after year. Over the years they'll build up bigger bigger clumps that you can divide up to spread the daffodil joy all around your yard.

Posted by: badgerwx at October 21, 2017 03:07 PM (USo2R)

88 Kallisto,
That is so very sweet and kind! I would love to see it.

Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 03:07 PM (wyW7g)

89 KT, is it possible to grow any varieties of persimmons in a large barrel? I killed my dwarf mango in the barrel but maybe a persimmons would fare better. I think it's just not the right climate for mangos where we live.

Tons of swallowtail caterpillars on my fennel. Didn't know they ate that.

Finally got ONE finger lime on my teeny little Australian finger lime tree. Tons of yuzus on my yuzu tree so I think I will make up a recipe for yuzu margaritas later today!

Posted by: keena at October 21, 2017 03:07 PM (RiTnx)

90 What did you do for God to punish you like that?


lol
I don't know! Except, of course, I think everyone else is nutz for liking stuff warm. And ice cream with warm pie? Ewwwww. The ice cream gets all soupy.

Posted by: Professor Chaos aka gumdrop gorilla at October 21, 2017 03:08 PM (phyXb)

91 Over the years they'll build up bigger bigger clumps that you can divide up to spread the daffodil joy all around your yard.


Posted by: badgerwx at October 21, 2017 03:07 PM (USo2R)
Thank you for that! I did a little research and it supported your info. Maybe I will put them over by the fence where they can spread out, instead of along the screen porch. However, the guy does come into my yard with a mower once he's done with the riding one for the non-fenced areas. Also found out last night that the little stumpy thing halfway between the fence and the pond is a LILAC bush! A fave. They thought it was dead and cut it to the ground and now it's putting out new growth. I feel very, very blessed to be here.

Posted by: Peaches at October 21, 2017 03:11 PM (14URa)

92 NOOD pets

Posted by: blaster at October 21, 2017 03:13 PM (jHrzU)

93 I don't recall seeing a label on the coleus when I took the picture. It might have been hidden in the foliage, or it might not have been there at all. Next time I'm there I'll check.

Posted by: Don at October 21, 2017 03:19 PM (4espk)

94 keena at October 21, 2017 03:07 PM

Don't know about persimmons in a barrel. Doesn't sound easy to me.

Both Anise and Black Swallowtail caterpillars eat fennel. You probably have Anise Swallowtails. Do you happen to live near a ridgeline?

The little caterpillars look especially striking, when they are older, on bronze fennel.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 03:19 PM (BVQ+1)

95 Incidentally, the Cub Scouts got to taste a hollyhock flower and they learned what an aphid was.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 03:21 PM (BVQ+1)

96 keena at October 21, 2017 03:07 PM

Congrats on the exotic citrus. I had never heard of Yuzu until you mentioned yours. The finger llime sounds interesting, too.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 03:26 PM (BVQ+1)

97 KT-
They were selling small yuzu plants at the local Japanese market so I figured what the heck and it's actually producing! They taste great squeezed on sushi with a little salt too.

I guess they are anise swallowtails then. But I do have regular swallowtails on my citrus trees too. This is why I love gardening--so many interesting critters drop by!

Posted by: keena at October 21, 2017 03:35 PM (RiTnx)

98 My grandfather grew apples. A thousand acres in western Maryland. My dad grew up on the orchard and and worked on the orchard until after World War II. Staymans and Rome are the best cooking apples.

Posted by: Andrew at October 21, 2017 03:46 PM (ouui7)

99 Keena,

The "regular swallowtails" on your citrus are probably either Anise Swallowtail or Giant Swallowtail.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 03:47 PM (BVQ+1)

100 Andrew at October 21, 2017 03:46 PM

I think Romes make great baked apples. Bet a combo of Rome and Stayman is great in chunky applesauce.

Posted by: KT at October 21, 2017 03:49 PM (BVQ+1)

101 Late to the thread because jut got back from in-law's house. yes we have fall foliage like that. Clad I have one of those pull-behind yard sweepers to get it all up once it quits dropping. My neighbors are over raking their yard now.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at October 21, 2017 04:03 PM (mpXpK)

102 Beautiful pictures! Our fall colors are still holding back a bit.

I have parsley (from seed) growing in 3 pots. The largest is now home to at least 15 swallowtail caterpillars of some kind. They grow every day, so I guess they're well fed!

Posted by: OldDominionMom at October 21, 2017 04:06 PM (GzDYP)

103 And BTW I have a host of Fall Foliage pictures like those above that I keep for screen background pictures. I have a directory for each season and update the background as the seasons change.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at October 21, 2017 04:06 PM (mpXpK)

104 My fall colors on the trees out by the pond seem to be holding back as well. If they pop, I will snap some pics and send to the gardening thread, KT!

Posted by: Peaches at October 21, 2017 04:34 PM (14URa)

105 From Idaho's Treasure Valley:
I've never felt a need to go driving around to do my "leaf-peeping" - there are plenty of different trees grown around town, and I can enjoy all sorts of colors on my regular driving routes. My local downtown's got plenty of pretties to view (and nice flowering trees in spring as well).

I'm going to need a larger unit than "metric crap-ton" to describe how many leaves there are on my 2 acres. (Thank you!, to whoever first used that great phrase; I love it!) I've got about 20 mature trees on my property. Four of them are sycamores, along the street frontage - and they're each 3 stories tall, or thereabouts... On Thursday, I raked up the whole south side frontage (2 trees' worth - part of the leaves went to the burn pile, part got piled up for future carting-away). Following a storm front coming through... other than the existence of piles, you *can't even tell* I raked... I'm thinking maybe a "Jovian crap-ton" is a better unit.

Anyway, the sycamores don't finish dropping all the leaves till February - yes, I have raked leaves and shoveled snow on the same day. For now, we'll burn as many of those sycamore leaves, and the oak leaves, as we can, until the rains/snows come in earnest.

The crabapple is mostly done, and the linden about halfway - those we save for composting. When the maples really get going, those leaves get shredded and saved.

Most of our outdoor work is cleanup at this point. We've managed to get rid of all the dead garden vines (zucchini, butternut, pumpkin, 3 tomato plants, 4 cantaloupe) - all that's left is the 2 Romas.

We harvested the last fall radishes, and ate them on a salad with 2 of the fall carrots and the last of the Cherokee Purple, Early Girl, and Sungold tomatoes. We've spent this week roasting the last of the Romas (frozen, plus ripened on the kitchen table) to make the last batch of tomato sauce for this season.

We harvested the last Red Norland potatoes from their cloth pots. I didn't even bother weighing them - we had nothing like last year's 60 pounds of total potato crop. The main difference was how much water they got, so we'll change that back next year.

We did do more work on the new garden behind the kitchen. We had some small circles of tulips and hyacinths, and we've already added 3 mums. We'd been working on adding clumps of King Alfred daffodils, and had finished all but one clump - because there was an irrigation line that wasn't buried as deep as husband was expecting, when he - yep - nicked it with the shovel and water came gushing out. So we waited till the hole dried out, he tried one repair - nope. So the hole had to dry out again - 2nd repair worked. The last daffodils went in today. Next spring, I hope to find a tall red penstemon to put in the center of the area.

Husband did have to test his repairs - which means our irrigation water hasn't been shut off quite yet. By the end of the month, I'm sure it will be, though (we've had frosts, but no really hard freezes - yet). The guy who does the landscaping for the neighborhood usually comes around doing the irrigation line blow-outs, so we'll be watching for him.

Ugh, mice. We pulled the cover for the gas grill out of the shed, and mice ran out. We found one dead, killed one then and caught one in a trap, but we'll still be setting traps for a while. Meanwhile, we're testing whether a cat/dog urine product will work on mouse urine too.

Once we get done with canning tomato sauce, we do still have some jalapenos and poblanos to cut up, and frozen strawberries to make into jam - but it's the start of apple season! Both our Golden Delicious and our Probably-Jonathan are producing well. The fruits are all small and irregular, though, so we're planning to make mostly cider, plus hard cider. Husband's homebuilt grinder and crusher did all right when we produced our first gallon of this season. (We already have applesauce and pie filling canned up from last year, so no need to make more. - We make pie from whatever apples we get!)
***
Husband's mom taught me how to make hollyhock dolls - we ought to get some single-type, and I'll see if I can remember how it went...

I have no idea how apple pie and cheddar go together, but I'd have nothing against taste-testing the combo.

And California Girl, I have no idea how many years it's been since you lost your brother Daniel, but I'm sorry for your loss...

Posted by: Pat* at October 21, 2017 04:37 PM (FtfVi)

106 Pat, what is your experience on watering potatoes?

KT, I could point in any direction right now and there would be a Honeycrisp orchard within 20 miles. They bred them at the U of M.

http://tinyurl.com/y95yoh5z

The newer SweeTango variety is pretty good also, and they have a really cold-hardy one called Frostbite.

Posted by: Gordon at October 21, 2017 05:07 PM (dPOBD)

107 Hit Lost Maples State Park in the Hill Country of Texas. Around where I'm at...trees are few and far between.

Posted by: CatchThirtyThr33 at October 21, 2017 05:15 PM (qXaZc)

108 I have 40 acres in the Berkshires, 20 of it landscaped. A used Cyclone rake on craigslist was the best $500 bucks I have ever spent. And the farm that I was raised on in east TX is below something called Townlake Res. Personally, my favorite season is winter.

Posted by: riktheYFITB at October 21, 2017 05:29 PM (RhWew)

109 In Iceland, at fall colors time, everyone drives over to look at the tree.

Posted by: Gordon at October 21, 2017 05:31 PM (dPOBD)

110 I just want to thank everyone for your kindness to me about my brother. You've made this fall day just beautiful and full of memories!

Posted by: California Girl (not CaliGirl) at October 21, 2017 06:01 PM (wyW7g)

111 No frost here yet in N IL and the average frost date is Oct 4. So we are still harvesting beans, mesculun, cukes, Roma tomatoes and beets. Oh, and the second planting of peas has started to produce. Yay!

Posted by: Farmer - 2017 GNAMM Survivor at October 21, 2017 06:37 PM (yJ1e6)

112 "We don't have to travel anywhere in particular...but, that doesn't stop us from driving distances in search of the "best" of what is already pretty amazing, almost anywhere you look."

Sounds like y'all have a screw loose, or something.

Posted by: socalcon at October 21, 2017 06:43 PM (Roy2Z)

113 I was born and raised in Upstate New York. There is no place I would rather be in October.

Posted by: Very Undude at October 21, 2017 06:43 PM (2X7pN)

114 Great photos!
APPLES: There is an apple orchard/cidery near my house on a mountain outside Chattanooga. The cider has a crisp fresh taste unlike any cider I've tried before. I'm enjoying trying the various old apples like Winesap and Jonathan. Surprisingly, my favorite is Golden Delicious! They are crisp and flavorful, nothing like store bought Goldens. I planted two bare root apples last Spring - a Gala and a Golden. I intended the Golden to be more of a pollinator but now I'm excited about its fruit. Both trees had a good first year.
TEXAS DANCEHALLS: I spent most of my life in Central Texas and those old dancehalls were my natural second home. I've two stepped, waltzed, and polkad many times at Floores Country Store, Arkie Blue's, Broken Spoke, Gruene Ball and Luckenbach. The latter two don't have air conditioning, just open windows, so Autumn is the best time to visit.

Posted by: Cumberland Astro at October 21, 2017 08:40 PM (cEKqm)

115 Thanks for the great report, Pat*.

Sycamore leaves are kind of . . .awkward.

Bet your Golden Delicious apples taste wonderful even if they are funny shapes.

Mice. Ick.

Posted by: KT at October 22, 2017 12:11 AM (BVQ+1)

116 Gordon at October 21, 2017 05:07 PM

Love the apple info. Would have thought Honeycrisp was a Northwewstern variety.

Hope your local ones are better than the commercial ones we get here. Wouldn't be surprised if they are. Those new cultivars sound intriguing, too. Especially for noertherners.


Posted by: KT at October 22, 2017 12:15 AM (BVQ+1)

117 And Gordon, thanks for the tourist tip should we ever visit Iceland in the fall. Heh.

Posted by: KT at October 22, 2017 12:16 AM (BVQ+1)

118 Pat*, there should be hollyhock doll instructions at the old AoSHQ link in the post. I also have a link on hollyhock doll cupcake toppers I can put up sometime.

Posted by: KT at October 22, 2017 12:18 AM (BVQ+1)

119 Cumberland Astro at October 21, 2017 08:40 PM

Fun stuff you're reporting there. Golden Delicious in the right climate is indeed a great apple.

I used to have a juicer (lost during a move) and I would put a little lemon juice into the bottom of a glass before juicing apples into it. The ultimate in "fresh" as it keeps the juice from oxidizing. With Golden Delicious, you can add a little fresh ginger root, too. Maybe a teaspoon of honey depending on how much lemon juice you use.

Posted by: KT at October 22, 2017 12:24 AM (BVQ+1)

120 Farmer - 2017 GNAMM Survivor at October 21, 2017 06:37 PM

Peas! Yay!

Posted by: KT at October 22, 2017 12:25 AM (BVQ+1)

121 106 Gordon, husband says he thinks he put a 1 gallon per hour dripper, running 90 minutes, every day of the week, on each of the five 20-gallon cloth pots that had potatoes planted in it. (My thought was that not enough of the soil ended up getting wet, with just one dripper landing its water in the center of the pot.)

Last year, we grew some of the potatoes in 20 gallon cloth pots, but they were set next to a raised bed in the garden, so they were watered by the same sprayers that watered the lawn and raised beds. We had previously grown potatoes in the raised beds, and those did well too.

Posted by: Pat* at October 22, 2017 12:50 AM (FtfVi)

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