Last updated on November 1st, 2012
IN AUTUMN, when the air is crisp, the sun is shining, and the leaves are falling, I enjoy taking Lily the Beagle on leisurely walks. Would you like to see what we see as we tour the gardens here? Walk with us:
The upright yews (Taxus hicksii) which form a figure-8 around my Rose Garden are handsome in all seasons. But in autumn, they are lit with cranberry-colored berries.
Usually, these yew berries provide food for wintering birds. Just now they are the sole domain of hungry squirrels.
Squirrels do not have easy lives. I’m happy to offer them something to eat.
The two fountains in the Rose Garden have been turned off for winter. But they continue to enchant, as leaves form a colorful mosaic in the ponds below.
A pair of weeping crabapples in the Rose Garden have dropped most of their leaves, revealing tiny red marbles of fruit. The fruit is a magnet for wintering birds.
Most of my roses have put up “closed for winter” signs. But the climbing Rosa ‘Tahitian Moon’, above, still clings to one yellow blossom.
Rosa ‘Iceberg’ has but one blossom, too. This did not escape the attention of an intrepid honey bee.
The ancient silver-leaf maple (Acer saccharinum) that lives at the north end of the rose garden has exchanged its summer green for autumn gold. The color will become even more vibrant just before the leaves begin to drop.
To understand the majesty of a tree, you must stand beneath it and look up. Well, that’s what I like to do.
On the steeply-sloped, south-facing lawn, a purple-pansy redbud has replaced its foliage with bean-like seed pods. The seeds can be winter-sown to produce new trees.
Are you still with me? Good. We’ve arrived at the grove of white pines. Last June, I cut an opening through the dense branches in order to produce a view of the headless statue at the end of the long path straight ahead.
I don’t know about you, but when I linger beneath these trees, I feel some type of mystical energy. Why this should be, I can not say. Perhaps it is the arched shape of the opening. In Feng Shui, circles and arches are thought to produce positive energy.
In any event, the pines are busy shedding their oldest needles. The needles make excellent mulch for acid-loving plants. They also make a very cushy carpet to walk upon.
The Kitchen Garden took quite a beating last week, when temperatures dropped, for just one night, to 28 degrees. This spelled the end of my zinnias, tomatoes, and other heat-loving plants. Well, I have a big clean-up job to look forward to.
Glancing down at the house — that’s the Music Room on the far right — you’ll notice the lawn is becoming littered with leaves. All that litter will be gathered, shredded, and saved. It is nature’s compost.
Shall we enter the Woodland Garden?
Here’s the fish pond. In previous years, I’ve always retrieved any leaves which land on the water. But I was recently told to let some leaves settle at the bottom of the pond. This way, resident frogs will have something to burrow in for the winter months.
If you have fish in an outdoor pond, follow this rule of thumb: Feed them daily as long as water temperature remains above 55 degrees F. At 55 degrees, reduce food to only 3 times per week. When the water dips below 40 degrees, stop feeding until spring.
It’s fun to watch the ferns in the Woodland Garden prepare for dormancy. The one above has lost all of its chlorophyll, giving it a rather ghostly countenance.
Several “Christmas” ferns in the garden are still lush and green. This Polystichum acrostichoides is evergreen warmer zones. But here in zone 5-b, it disappears with the first heavy snow.
A pair of Boston ferns, achieved from last year’s propagation efforts, and kept as houseplants over winter, are still holding strong. I’m amazed they survived the recent frost. Perhaps they are hardier than we are led to believe?
As the trees shed their summer-wear, one has a better view of the Hudson River tributary that runs behind the Woodland Garden. In winter, this body of water is cherished by Canada geese.
I think we should head back to the house now, where a roaring fire, a plate of Autumn Spice Cookies and a pot of tea await us.
As we descend the hill, notice the pair of ancient sugar maples (Acer saccharum) in the front yard. In autumn, these are the most dazzling of all the deciduous trees on the property.
Well, I hope you enjoyed our little stroll. I know Lily the Beagle did.
In the comments field below, tell me know what’s happening in your own garden. Is it still growing? Or has it prepared itself for winter dormancy? As always, I love to hear from you.
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Related Posts:
Caramelized Butternut Squash Soup
Forcing Hyacinths for Winter Bloom Indoors
A Tour of My Home
badger gardener says
Kevin, What a lovely walk. I especially love the Hudson tributary running through your land. Don’t you just love the Fall?
Here in Southeast WI, Lake Michigan has kept our frost at bay even though our temps. have dipped a few times now. Amazingly my petunias and vinca are still going in both containers and in the ground. My swiss chard and parsley are still offerring more for harvest although growth is slow. I finally brought my cherry tomatoes in and am trying to ripen via your paper bag method. They seem to be responding. I also have a few more German Beer radishes to harvest. As advertised they do pair well with Milwaukee’s official drink.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi badger gardener – Thanks for joining us on our walk. Petunias, Swiss chard, beets and romaine are holding on here, too. I took cuttings of the petunias, and am rooting them under lights. I’m tempted to try the radish you mentioned…next spring.
Bobbie Floyd says
Thanks, as always for sharing your home and gardens witth all of us. And of course, photos of Lily. Here on the Texas gulf coast, we are just now getting some cooler weather, ie 70’s at night. Still not quite cool enough for winter veggies.
Robin says
What a lovely walk! Here in southern Indiana, we live in a little hollow that collects the cold. It’s good in that it helps slow down the famously unpredictable weather and temp fluctuations here. Our woods are all orange now and I’ve stripped the garden of the summer season debris and burned it to get rid of bugs that might over winter [like squash bugs and blister beetles]. I’ve put up the first cold frame already. The second will go up next week – even as the temps are in the 70’s again. I’m trying fennel in the cold frame this year – and leeks. Fingers crossed we can have a fennel gratin for Thanksgiving!
Cherylann McGuire says
Beautiful walk, Kevin – thank you. My garden has pretty much been put to bed. One lesson learned this year was to put paths across the long 4′ wide garden so I can keep it more organized. Done. Next lesson, do NOT let dear hubby go near any of the planting beds without supervision. He was told which plants to remove from my herb beds, but did it when I was not home. Gone is the chocolate mint plant that was doing SO well and I hoped to harvest and then overwinter; sigh.
Anne B says
Oh, that was a lovely, relaxing walk. I like the glimpses of river (don’t have one of those close) and the path through the pines.
Here, zone 6B, we’ve hovered near freezing, but not quite made it. Beautiful fall color still. Zinnias still marching on. Kale and broccoli happy. Leaves everywhere (same as you…to be mowed, gathered and used). Still a few tiny green peppers growing. Almond verbena doesn’t seem to care that it’s fall-smells so wonderful.
Happy autumn everyone. Ben the collie sends regards to Lily.
Deb says
That was a lovely walk. Made more pleasant by Lily’s presence.
Me – I’ve just come in from potting up the rosemary which will spend the winter in the greenhouse. Fingers crossed.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Bobbie Floyd – Thanks for walking with us. Hope the Texas gulf coast receives some suitable veggie-growing weather soon.
Robin – You are well ahead of me in completing the October chores. Kudos to you!
Cherylann McGuire – I learned that lesson long ago: never let a non-plant-minded spouse or friend tend your garden without strict supervision!
Ann B. – Lily to Ben: “back atcha, bro!”
Deb – I hope your rosemary knows how lucky it is.
joseph gilbert says
great walk….i promise i will come tour the entire property…and you can always come and tour all the greenhouses anytime youd like
Rosemeri says
I am so envious of your beautiful garden. What a fantastic walk and thank you for sharing it with us. I live in a high desert area and we don’t have many deciduous trees. I really wish I could reach through this screen and grab a bag full of those gorgeous leaves. I have lots of tall pines which are dropping needles and pine cones right now. This is a good year for collecting pine nuts. We haven’t had our first frost yet, so I still have lots of tomatoes, peppers, and butternut squash in the garden. Gotta love that.
Denise in NJ says
We had one unexpected night of frost (our first frost date is Nov.1st) that took it’s toll on my sweet potatoes. The garlic is looking good, and believe it or not, my kale is still producing along with my fall-bearing raspberries. I had a few figs that are waiting to ripen – I’ve moved them under cover along with my peppers that are still loaded. Everything else is just done and ready to be cleaned up.
Jo says
Here it is Spring, and I am enjoying walks through streets filled with blossom, and planning my Summer garden. Your Autumn garden tour was lovely. A wonderful time of year to evaluate what worked, and what you would like to do in the future..
pennifer says
Here on No CA coast, I’m preparing to have a quiet winter (for me) in the raised beds. Maybe plant a few things, but I need a break. The onions are the only thing still really going. Need to deal with Too Many Leeks. Waiting until November to see if the horseradish is any good.
The hydrangea are still flowering madly. My roses have varying opinions. The most vigorous one not only grew a whole bunch of new stalks, but put out another solid round of flowers. Dormancy is in January, so lots of pruning will happen then.
Lana says
Lovely tour – I felt as if I were right there. I know what you mean about the feeling you get under the pine trees. I always feel that way when I am in any kind of wooded area, especially this time of year. I would love to know how you put your garden to bed for the winter. Do you mulch the beds as well as the paths? And do you then leave the mulch on the beds in spring or clean it off? I am caught between square foot gardening and Ruth Stout, and not quite sure what to do. Thanks again for the tour – such lovely grounds, you are indeed blessed.
Lori says
What a lovely walking tour. Thanks for sharing.
My garden is all but done. The herbs are still green, but flowering has stopped. Only the arugula continues to actively grow. We had a frost a few weeks ago. It was a bit early for us actually and somewhat of a shock after the hot, hot, hot summer. I’ve still got a few tomatoes ripening in the kitchen and most everything is put up and away for winter use. I’m hoping my lavender makes it another year!
Anna Lapping says
What a beautiful property to walk in. I miss walking with my dogs, but now I have 4 and we don’t have as much land as you so I would have to walk all four on leads. I’ve tried it, not fun.
Yesterday I cut down/pulled out the tomatoes and last week the okra. My Tuscan kale is doing well, as is the Arugula, but something ate all my collards in spite of being surrounded by rabbit fencing. I’ve never seen it, but I’ve seen its’ hole, which is about 4″ in diameter. I still have much to do to get the garden ready for winter, but here in NC, I still have time.
Lynne says
You have beautiful gardens. How did you make your fish pond?
norma brooks says
I loved the stroll thru the garden. You have such a beautiful place. enjoy seeing it so much. I am 84 yrs old. and living in a moble home now on my daughters property. I would be lost without my pc, so I can see all of these things. I have been trying to write a blog. but not sure how to make it public. and see if anyone wants to read it. love what you do. makes my day.
Beverly, zone 6 eastern PA says
I am making potato, fennel and leek soup today, a great indulgence on a chilly morning. I have collected, dried and stashed seeds for many varieties of flowers and vegetables I want to grow again next year. I seed swapped yesterday with a pal from Brooklyn. Seeds are organized in a large copy-paper box, filed alphabetically in 2 smaller boxes to keep them from spilling. I place a small, open bag of rice in this box to help absorb moisture which might cause mold in the seeds. My 28 gourds are drying in the boiler room and garage. I am pulling out frosted ‘Queen Red Lime’ zinnias and preparing to plant 3 kinds of garlic in their spot. We will rake and chip leaves for the first time today, although I did rake up some finely textured leaves twice already and put them directly into the compost bin. I like to chip up the larger, waxy Norway Maple leaves to hasten their breakdown in the composters. Average #loads of leaves through the chipper each fall is 25 ! The hottest bin is hovering around 110 degrees and puffing out its PVC chimney like a little steam train first thing in the morning. That is a supremely satisfying fall sight.
Zola says
I cannot tell you how much I enjoy ALLLL your pictures, comments, recipes, etc. etc.
When I see your Email, It’s like a Birthday Surprise, I enjoy them so much. I live in the
Calif. Sierra Mtns. & appreciate your gardening adventures
marilyn harrison says
Lovely walk, thank you for sharing!
Sandy T says
Thanks for the lovely tour. I’m loving fall more and more every year. I’m curious about your headless statue and wonder if you heat the fish pond over the winter?
Sherlock says
Gorgeous! I’m thrilled to find that there are others that see & appreciate the beauty that surrounds!! Thanks for sharing!!
Valerie C. says
Just beautiful! I really enjoyed it. I love little Lily too 🙂
Carol says
That was lovely!!
Mary Brotherton says
I really enjoyed walking with you and Lily. Here, in South Carolina, our leaves have only begun to change slightly. Our temperatures are dropping, but I still have tomatoes and peppers in containers on the back porch, ready to rush in at the first sign of frost.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Sandy T. – If you click the link “the headless statue” above, you’ll discover how, exactly, Ms. Venus lost her head!
I have a floating device that heats the fish pond in winter. It comes on only when temps dip below 32 degrees.
Sandy H says
Lovely. Thanks for sharing.
Pam says
Loved walking with you Kevin, and everyone who also shared their garden progress. Feels like a cross country expedition:) Our autumn foliage colors are just starting here in northern California and actually rival some of the east coast beauty.
Our garden is in pots as we have no ‘dirt’ among deck and concrete plus many trees that give too much shade for vegetable growing success. We are slowly manicuring and removing some of the growth though.
Lots of all kinds of peppers this year, our best crop. We bought two Japanese purple pepper plants at our local college farm sale. The blossoms and first fruit is purple, and the peppers change from the purple to yellow to orange to red. The plants looks like they are decorated with little Christmas tree lights…and the peppers are wonderfully hot. We had a dahlia this year..first time and it has been so beautiful.
Love your newsletter and all the delights you share!
Denise in Colorado says
Kevin,
My fav part of Sunday mornings is catching up with you and getting ideas for my garden! The walk was fun, Lily enjoyed it as much as I did! I walk with Tazzy and Moses around my neighborhood. My garden remains are now in the compost pile and I did get my garlic planted for next year. I still have tomatoes getting ripe inside!
This first year ever for my high altitude veggy garden was marked by a huge wildfire that caused us to be evacuated for 8 days, record high temps, and no water for my plants but everything survived! I can’t wait to see what next year brings!!
Thanks for your inspiration! 🙂
Gail Metzger Woodside says
I enjoyed my Autumn stroll here with you and the baying beagle Lily! And, that’s almost as much as really being there, Kevin. Having a chance to enjoy you, your house, gardens and cooking here is a real treat.
I love that you cut a hole in the trees to look up into your garden. I also often look up into the tree canopy and photograph them…they are often so beautiful.
I look forward to watching the seasons pass with you and staying in touch!
Gail
Mary says
What a delight! I can smell our woods from my Dallas easy chair this morning. I miss the east coast woods (spent several year in the Catskills at a music school, Creative Music Studio.) It’s where I truly “grew up.” The nuture of kind souls and east coast woods. Lovely memories. And, Lily! She’s wonderful…..blessings to you!
Mary says
oops….Your woods. umph….booboos
Mary says
OMG…my keyboard is sticking, missing letters…..sorry for the mishaps.
Adriana Fernandez says
Thank you for letting us walk with you, it was lovely. Fall is my favourite time of the year!! I have enjoyed the walk and learned a lot!!!!!
Lola says
A lovely walk. I too like to walk in the fallen leaves of Fall. Used to is the theme now. You have a lovely garden & your whole place is to die for. Sure like your cooking.
MarteyC says
Nice picture of the Valatie Kill!
Andrea says
Thank you – always great inspiration here. I live in the inland northwest where it is already feeling quite like winter. Expecting snow tomorrow and I still have daffodils to get in the ground. Hundreds, 4′ deep, line my long, curvy driveway which I add to every year. They’re so dependable and cheery. I’m still digging and dividing irises, as well, but definitely worth the cold, finger numbing work this time of year. Thank you for always providing something new for me to learn and try in my own garden.
Andrea
Beak says
thanks for the walk in the woods with you and lily. I’ll give you a glimpse of our log home nestled in 23 acres of different oaks and cedar trees with many ravines and hills in the ozark mountains. we love walking through the woods especially this time of year as we can see the lay of the land.we see all the nest of birds and sunning nest of squirrels in the top of trees. we ran into a family of wild turkeys down in the bottom. I love the smell of the woods with dried leaves and evergreens . the leaves on our trees have color but not as brilliant as I have seen. my husband says its because they are hardwoods. I love sitting on my porch in the mornings and watch the fog roll out of the woods. we are always in awe of nature. we have a few grapes left but deer enjoyed the sweetness of them. I have a few flowers but the wildlife plays havoc on them. I had to share my cherries with a scarlet tanager as he could reach the tops branches. the fistey chickadees wanted to build their nests in the bluebird boxes. I would clean them out but as soon as I turned my back they were right back building again. we were blessed to have bluebird families though. now we see the geese and cranes fly over heading to the nearby White river before heading to their winter dwellings. the hummingbirds are gone till next spring. so now you have an idea of what life is like in the ozarks. peace to you.
Lynn says
Hi kevin, could u tell me more about keeping fish in the pond all winter please. Here it will reach, at its very coldest, -20c or -5F for a short time in mid winter. Can fish survive this type of cold ?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Andrea – you are right. All the digging, dividing and planting is SO worth the effort! And by the way…I lived for many years in the inland Northwest.
Beak – Loved the imagery you painted of your Ozark location. Your place is much larger than mine, but like you, I get to enjoy the company of wild turkeys!
Lynn – Gold fish (and Koi) can survive quite low temperatures. But the pond must always have an un-frozen opening where gasses can escape. If you have a pump running in your pond, that will probably suffice. Otherwise, do what I do, and place a floating heater in the pond. It will insure that the pond does not freeze solidly.
lisa williams says
Kevin, I so enjoy this newsletter.I’ve passed it on to friends that live in your area. I may have missed an entry on what herbs will winter over. (zone 5) I’m putting the garden to bed and I don’t want to remove anything that will return. I have about 13 different herbs. Thanks for yor help.
wkeithscott says
HI: I enjoyed the ‘house walk earlier’, now the garden, land and place in the Fall. We here in On-Canada…for shallow depth ponds, bigger fountains, have to drain the base, even if you have fish…rule of thumb is 18″ plus, for it will sooner or later freeze, killing the fish.
Many urban folks like myself, would love to have this super country-estate environment, like you have well-cared for, but I only look from an envy point re aged…so continue to enjoy et al.
Thank You..4 Sharing
Scotty-Canuck ++
flowerfield says
Hi Kevin,
what a beautiful property! thank you for sharing another one of your visions. I was also curious about the frog pond. I love the floating heater idea, and am curious how you lined the pond?
thank you,
Lisa
Martie says
what a joyous tour thru your garden I enjoyed it all. I have put my flower garden to bed for the winter and have made the raised beds for next years vegetables. I missed having a veggie garden this year cause I just moved into my place in May and the front flower garden needed massive clean up which took me all summer. Getting older and can’t do what I used to. Well any way my raised beds will be ready for next year and I will be able to plant some great veggies, Thank you for the tour it was real nice
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Scotty-Canuck – My fish/frog pond is actually quite small, and between 2-3 feet deep. The floating heater — a little donut-shaped device I plug into a regular power current — keeps the water from freezing over in winter. The fish are happy!
Hi flowerfield – A friend of mine dug the pond, and then lined it with left-over rubber-roofing material. The material works perfectly well — no leaks after 5 years. I used the same roofing material to line the two basins beneath the fountains in the rose garden.
Martie – Congrats on your new raised beds. I find it’s much easier (and more fun) to grow veggies “on higher ground.”
Oriane says
Bonjour Kevin and Lily,
What a lovely Fall tour of your garden. Loved the Woodland Garden with the carpet of colorful leaves, there is so much beauty in nature. Your garden is a reflection of who you are and you are a beautiful person.
Here in central Arizona it is fall gardening and our busy time.
Mesquite trees and Palo Verde trees will be trimmed slightly and branches will be saved to use as trellis.
Veggies are starting to grow: I’ve saved carrot seeds (a first) from the spring garden and sowed them 3 weeks ago, the carrots are already 2 inches talls.
Arugula, lettuce (Brune d’hiver) and Pepper Cress are growing in the same bed and I have had my first autumn salad yesterday.
Little Marvel Shell Peas and Dward Gray Suagr Peas have sprouted.
Yard Long beans are already 6 inches long, garlic is 2 inches tall, Sunchokes are in bloom (roots are edible and delicious roasted with garlic).
Sowed fennel, onions, dill in pots this year and am rooting rosemary.
Wild flower seeds are in. Hollyhock and calendula seeds have sprouted. Cacti nursed over the hot summer have been transplanted.
I’ve relandscaped one of the areas around the pool and am transplanting cacti, succulents and ruellia.
It is Humming Bird migration and the birds are very active, they descend upon the feeders and come up to me to fly under the fine mist when I water the garden (it is heavenly)
Off to the garden I go, comme toujours merci.
Lucy says
What a soothing walk! It gave me a break from my busy day. You are such a lucky man. I love your creativity and genius. I am a paint-by-numbers- chic myself. XOXO
Sunny says
Thanks for the walk with you and Lily. Beautiful!
We recently moved so next year I’ll be starting all over for a garden. I replanted a sprig of mint but it doesn’t look like it is going to flourish. I still have my rosemary and oregano in a container and they are doing well.
We are still in the 80s here in Oklahoma. This Friday is supposed to be cold.
The home we are renting has a small pond and we haven’t received a response yet on how to fill it or where to put the filter. As soon as we do I would love to have fish in it so your advice was much needed!
Marilyn says
Kevin, it was wonderful strolling through your gardens with you and Lily. I had no idea you were on a river. That makes your property even more perfect in my eyes. This morning I began clearing the 6 raised beds of things that have gone beyond; bush beans, pole beans, cucumber vines, thai pepper plants, annuals and tomato vines. There are many tomatoes in various states of maturity out there and I will bring them into the garage to ripen. My rubberized plants are littered with cherry and little lightbulb tomatoes that I should never have let grow. Next year I will be ruthless and pull out every invading tomato and bombast poppy plant that I see. No more of this taking over the garden stuff!! Our three dogs have free rein over 3/4 of our fenced acre, but the garden with the picket fence is by invitation only to them. Of course Ricky the feline goes wherever he pleases. This week here in s.e. Michigan it is in the 60-70 degree range and I imagine it will head your way as it usually does. Looking forward to more posts from you.
Marilyn says
Ooops! Not “rubberized plants!!!”, rubberized PATHS!! Also meant to say that the tuscan kale is mighty and beautiful as is the sage and parsley.
lora says
I enjoyed taking a tour of your lovely garden with you and Lily. It makes me feel as though I am back home in New England! Here in Georgia, we are having cool nights but still warm days in the 70’s. In many ways, my yard and many plantings come alive with the cooler weather this time of year. Our summers are brutally hot, and for the most part, it is a struggle for my garden to survive. I think even the tomatoes struggle with the heat! So, for our relatively brief fall, we and the plants, enjoy the lovely, milder weather. I still have many green tomatoes on my plants–they may or may not ripen before our first frost. In any event, I have many ripening on my kitchen windowsill. We will have fresh homegrown tomatoes for a week or two more. My roses love the cooler temps–especially my lemon-scented, yellow rugosa—so much like the bright pink beach roses along the ocean north of Boston—so fragrant! The tea-olive hedge is blooming and the scent is intoxicating. We do have some fall color on the trees already. And, this weekend I will take a trip to my secret spot where many years ago I found Bittersweet vine growing along an abandoned railroad track in a tiny town nearby. I will gather bunches of it and bring it home to display inside and out, and remind me of my home in New England, where bittersweet grew wild and was my very favorite plant–for the graceful and rambling form, the gorgeous red and gold color, and especially for the name ‘bittersweet’. It is a perfect symbol of Fall—the end of long, bright summer days, and the start of long, dark winter nights!
Migs Murray says
Oh my, what a wonderful space you have. Thank you for sharing it. Here in New Zealand all the new growth is flourishing as Spring marches on. The flower carpet roses are glorious and the others are budding up ready to bloom. I am leaving my home and garden and will miss the results of 16 years work but am looking forward to creating a new space for myself somewhere else. I’m brimming with ideas…fruit trees, vege gardens, herbs, flowers, natives, a wild corner for the lizards, more flower carpet roses…and a clover lawn for the bees. I’m excited. ^_^
kelly says
i can’t remember where i first learned about your blog, but i get your weekly emails and i just love, love, love this site.
thank you for sharing your walk with us! lily the beagle is sure a cutie pie.
S. Taylor says
We haven’t had the deadly frost yet so the garden is still producing. I’m getting all of the wonderful kitchen herbs, of course, then there are snow peas, black eyed peas, green beans, eggplant, bell pepper, tomato, potatoe, turnip greens, onions, lettuce, okra, all sorts of peppers, and cucumber. That’s all I can think of right now. I’ve been so busy between painting the two murals that my garden and laundry are about the only things I’m not falling behind in. I haven’t even had the chance to make that wonderful bread yet!
foxglove says
Kevin, please keep writing–it is balm for the soul.
dori says
Hey, Kevin, I was looking at the picture of you this morning. Is that a chicken coop or aviary in the background?
Barbara S says
Thank you Kevin for sharing. You have beautiful grounds and gardens. I love your beagle Lily!
Lee McLean says
Thanks for inviting me on your fall walk. We have 12″ fresh snow here in southern Alberta, giving me a reprieve from many of my undone garden chores. It’s now a case of finding power cords for block heaters and my snow shovel… Think perhaps it’s time to put the kettle on, maybe make some of those pumpkin muffins that looked so good?
Audrey Kaminski says
Autumn is my favorite time of year. Your property is simply beautiful! With a 50′ x 130′ lot,I certainly wish I had more land. But over the years, the fir trees surrounding the backyard have reached their maturity, two silver maples (70 years old!!) are beginning to lose their yellow leaves, the ferns have disappeared. The front lawn boasts a glorious Red Sunset Maple and a Kwanzan Cherry tree…deep orange leaves now. Begonias, lantana and Mexican heather are still blooming…at least until the coming storm and cold weather.
The squirrels and birds certainly enjoy the berries on the Taxus shrubs surrounding my home.
Please continue sharing your home, gardens and recipes!
Lori Scheuer says
Thank you for sharing your walk. Your property is beautiful and for me relaxing. My small vegetable garden is done for the year. Our summer lawn furniture and grill has been put in the shed. Our yard is decorated for halloween and we turned the garden into a pumpkin patch. We still have some raking to do but nothing major.
Carole says
Something I recently learned is that insects in the form of eggs, larvae, or adult are often winter on the leaves that fall from the trees. Many are beneficial insects and many may become a meal for birds during the winter or next year. You may want to consider postponing the shredding until the spring if they haven’t already broken down by then.
Chuck says
Great tour. Enjoyed the beagle. Really liked the Yew berries (I did a google search to learn more), the bit about leaves in the pond bottom for frogs was interesting, and I’m glad you still had an intrepid honey bee! I’m their newest and strongest fan here in this area of south central Colorado/northern New Mexico. Now I’m going to try to figure out if you posted how to make those autumn spice cookies. Yum.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Chuck – Thanks for walking with Lily and me. Here’s the recipe for Autumn Spice Cookies.
Marilou says
I posted a picture of my neighbor, Joyce’s maple tree that is in her front yard on face book. It was beautiful earlier this fall with its green leaves turned reddish gold. Now the tree is almost bare. She and I shared a small vegetable garden at the back of my lot this past summer. It was not the best growing season due to the drought here; but the tomatoes, green peppers, cabbages, squash, and cucumbers we did get were very good. I had to water a lot. Thank heavens I have a sand point for that. If I had to use city water for watering my garden I could not afforded to do so. The only thing that remains in our garden now are the marigolds I planted. They are still blooming. I am going to try to save some of the seeds and have even more of them next year. They make a very bright spot in the garden. I understand they also are important as part of a place to nourish, promote and protect the proliferation of beneficial insects in the garden. Otherwise we have already cleared off the garden and I have been spreading leaves I raked in the yard on it. We are both hoping for a better growing season next year here in the mid west. I intend to increase the size of the garden; however I am somewhat limited in doing that due to the size of my lot. Still I will increase as much as I can. I am also thinking of putting some square foot gardening into play on my side yard. Perhaps I will try just one next year and use your idea about pine boards to make a four foot square plot. We will see how it goes.
Dolores Claesson says
I do miss those lovely seasons so I really appreciate those pics. I just want to warn you to be careful out there for both you, your partner and Lily might pick up a tick in the North East. Warm Regards, Dolores
La Contessa says
STUNNING!
Love to that you feed the squirrels.
BRAVO!
Shelley says
Thank you and Lily for the tour. A little piece of heaven!
Peggy Herron says
Good Morning Kevin and Lily,
I really enjoyed your walk. I don’t have quite enough garden to take a walk . The view from the front windows of our row house is being brightened now by the luminescent female Gingo . When Sandy blew in last year her branches whipped around like those blow up balloon men in front of the car wash but she stayed firmly rooted. The twenty five year old Crape Myrtle in the back garden thinks it is a maple tree with its brilliant red , orange and gold coloring. I can sit on the sofa and view the colors through our French doors. The elephant ears are beginning to fade but with the cannas still give the garden a chilly tropical feel . One rose is still blooming and the largest tree in the garden,a European Larch may turn yellow before the needles drop. Some years it puts on a color show but not always. I gave it more water this year so we’ll see.
anita says
You have a lovely garden. And a lovely Lily. Thanks for sharing.
Your site is so informative about so many different subjects. I especially enjoy the garden “tours”. Thank you.
Barb Polski says
You are blessed with a beautiful property and I know that it took a lot of hard work to get it that way! We have just picked all of our green tomatoes and pulled the dead flowers up.
I actually got 4 raspberries too!
Last night was one of the first frosty nights and we expect much colder weather over the next few days and even some snow showers!!!
Leslie D says
Many thanks, Kevin, for the tour, although I am a year later than most to enjoy it. I am looking out on snow-covered gardens and planning for next year. I’m sending Lily some extra pets to thank her for being such a sweet companion on the walk. As I am recovering from a nasty cold, it is soothing to read your newsletter, and I enjoy all of it. I also love to read the comments you receive from so many diverse places and climates, from other like-minded souls.
Again my thanks, as I plan to make some of your delicious sounding cookies and light a fire in the fireplace. I’ll toast your many talents with a hot drink.
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