Submitted by Joan Regan
Love spring, love summer, however there is something about the fall. Fall is when I usually throw some compost/soil mixture on the garden, however spring will work as well… so spring it is. I would usually throw a mix of soil, compost and mulch, mixed well, in my wheelbarrow and then throw it in and around the plants. I tend to get too heavy handed and bury some of the pretties (although I do find that not cutting back on the plants they protect themselves anyway) so I do this now by hand.
The one tomato plant that was planted in a pot by Ma Nature is huge; well over my height (ok so I’m short). It grew in a pot from a seed I guess. There were several, but this one just kept growing and is now covered in tiny tomatoes that are turning colour. I’ve been taking them in when they look orange to keep them from the darling squirrels. The plant is way too big to safely move into the green house.
Slowly getting around to all my containers checking to see if they all have drain holes. So far, so good. It does not take long for the roots to find the holes though, so I’m trying the landscape fabric in the bottom of a couple cut to size, that should work… we shall see. I sure would not use that stuff in a garden again… it certainly was not a gardener that came up with that idea. Newspaper works but just for a couple of years, a bit longer using cardboard as a liner (only on the bottom of the containers). So far the roots are the only issue I have found with gardening in containers, and it’s so much easier on this old gal.
Some of my plants look like they’re wanting winter to hurry up and some are looking like it is the fourth of July. Just like over here on the corner – one in bed before 10:00 and the other… hmmm what’s on when the news is over ? Oh good Blue Bloods – still have that crush on Tom.
Fall is here, winter is waiting in the wings, but my house plants are singing “Happy Days are Here Again”. A couple are looking down & out, and rightfully so – their neglecting Momma is coming.
Happy Gardening (in or out) and Happy Fall,
Joni
P.S. Keep an eye out if you’re going by – Cheri from AND ROD is putting in a garden for me on the far north front of our property…… yeah!
jpregan@amtelecom.net 519 596 2389
