There are several things I've been working on this fall.
1. I'm removing all the plants from the bed closest to the house . . . to start a veggie garden. I've interplanted some vegetables there, but have decided to clear the whole thing out for vegetables. I've transplanted some perennials, and dug up callas and gladiolas. I have several varieties of lavender and sage that I will move in the springtime to strategic places within the bed to use an animal deterrents. I've still got to dig up cannas, japanese anemones, an agastache, a climbing rose, and a type 2 clematis.
2. I've cleaned out all the terracotta (and other temperature sensitive) containers. The annuals have petered out from the colder weather, so I tossed them in the compost pile. The pots have been cleaned and stored in the garage.
3. Just this week we've had the sprinkler system guys come out to winterize (or blow the water out of the pipes) the system. The folks we use are wonderful - always on time, return calls promptly, professional, reasonably priced, and capable. If you live in the Richmond, VA area and need the name of a sprinker company, I'd be happy to recommend these folks to you. Just let me know.
4. I've sprayed once for winter growing annual weeds, but I will have to continue this battle all during the colder seasons. I'll use hand pulling, Preen, and sprays (but only on warmer days). Some weed sprays only work at a minimum temperature of 70 degrees - check your labels!
5. The leaves haven't started falling in any serious way, but the acorns are downright dangerous. A walk to the mailbox requires a hard hat! I'll get the blower out this weekend. I have to say that oaks are my least favorite trees - lots of deadwood, the leaves drop all winter long (extending the clean up season), and the acorns cause Daughter to slip on the driveway and sidewalks.
Soon the leaves will be down, so I'll have to rake up. The hard frosts will kill the perennials which will have to be cleaned up. The tools will need cleaning and sharpening. And the mowers will have to be winterized also. Lots to do still. . . I'm grinning. It's all good!
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