September 2010

We are having such a hot humid summer that since no one wants to work outside everything in our yard is overgrown and untidy. To look at the sunny outside, the blue sky (when we are not having a storm!) the butterflies flitting by, the birds splashing in the birdbath and foraging in the grass, it all looks so inviting until you step outside and your glasses steam up! Hopefully it will start to cool off soon. Then we will be grumbling about having to clear things out and put in cool weather flowers and vegetables. Remember to take cuttings from all things you would like to save or increase. Try doing this with some herbs, you would like to have indoors this winter, keep them on a tray of pebbles and keep well watered and in a sunny window. It is also a good idea to dry some herbs to use in cooking, they also add fragrance to your house, remember to put lavender in drawers and cupboards to add fragrance and repel insects, moths etc.

Do remember that the critters know that too and keep your garage door shut so that you are not inviting mice and such to spend the winter with you. A friend of mine just found a snake that had accepted his invitation and was curled up on his garage floor.

There have been very few tomatoes this year as they do not set fruit when night time temperatures exceed 70 degrees.

Dig and divide perennials and transplant them soon so they can establish roots. Dry any suitable flowers and grasses for winter arrangements.
Sow peas, sweetpeas, lettuce, radish. Bulbs –use groups of small ones like crocus and plant them in drifts Plant in dry areas as they will rot in damp ground.


Sincerely,

Joan Dewsnap, Your Newsletter Editor .