FROST ...

It's been a couple weeks since the frost warnings began and 3x  we've awoken to frost.  We've even had 4 fires in the fireplace so far this October. So Mother Nature had been warning us to either move the annuals inside/ big them farewell. Each year I prolong the decision making of which should remain outside and which should have a chance at survival. 

The one day I decide they can't wait one more day, I return home to discover that Natureman had beat me to the punch by moving the majority of the lot of  potted plants already inside. Big OOPS as I usually not only spray them off with the garden hose but also give them a pretty severe hair cut before they ever come in. Well, the majority had to be pruned inside since my helper bee had done all that work.

For those of you who try to salvage annuals, you know what the future looks like. It will be a mess as plants adjust, need repotting/ consolidating to not have four pots deep to their light source.

Perhaps those that don't, will understand saving herbs for cooking  but most of you will be rolling your eyes re: the common annuals. Seriously, that's why they are called annuals, right?

 But as I have commiserated each year, they do add color during future dreary fall, winter and spring days besides providing a challenge to keep alive. Truthfully there is nothing cheerier than seeing future blooming.

Consoladation will continue... 

Yet, many like the lantana suffer shock coming inside and there is a major leaf drop and constant sweeping for other plants too as they transition. I often question as to why I am making more work for myself.???


For some plants the move will be too much and 
they will not be happy at all. There will be attrition but, some will make a comeback/ like the cypress vine will send up new shoots/ maybe it's another plants quest to survive. Surprises may even occur. Yep the cypress vine was climbing up the bird feeder post so those sprouts are many new sunflowers. Time to thin!  

Meanwhile we will have the greenhouse look. Obviously, we think it's worth the effort.