We've had frosts, and snow (just 3 inches), the days are getting short; the garden should be finished by now. But the honeysuckle by the south facing front door still has a few perky blooms, and all its leaves.
The remarkably persistent Johnny Jump Ups that have seeded themselves in the vegetable garden are flowering in profusion.
I've been gradually cutting back the perennials, but there are plants like this amsonia whose leaves are so lovely in color that I will wait until they brown.
The mass of siberian iris in front of my shed is looking quite disheveled, but their greens and golds are too much alive for me to want to cut them away.
I am still eating vegetables fresh from the garden, the ones that love frosts, become more delicious in the cold. Brussels sprouts and leeks...
turnips (tonight I'm having caramelized turnips for supper)...
fennel, and of course kale.
Soon the entire garden will look like my peony bed, covered with the weekend's snow, in the northern shadow of the house. For now though, the grass is green and a few flowers bloom, easing me gently into the thought of winter.
I love turnips! They're a part of my Southern roots literally. I put them in my mashed potatoes. Enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteMyrna
Thanks, Myrna, they were delicious.
ReplyDeleteAren't those last bits of the color and taste of summer precious to us.
ReplyDeleteI must say, you sure make Vermont look tempting as a retirement spot... I cannot garden here in Virginia, with its killer heat, humidity, and bugs.
ReplyDeleteGood to ease into winter, it seems down south here, we've been catapulted past autumn into winter with 2 feet of snow. Its melting now and the unstacked pile of wood will be visible again and needing attention. Nice to see the late season vegetables.... I love them both for their taste, strength and enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa, Amy and Valerianna, for your comments.
ReplyDeleteAmy, I think some of us love gardening in Vermont because the season is so brief and therefore so precious; it holds just as many challenges as gardening in the South, probably more. As Lisa says, these last bits of summer are precious because short, and winter can come suddenly, as Valerianna describes.
Love the visit to your garden in November; yes, the vegetable that can still maintain their integrity in November are such a blessing. My watercress has a whole renewed section!
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