Warm Day

First day in a long while we've been able to go out without bundling up.  Spent an hour or so cleaning up the front slope - pulling vinca, and ivy, and digging out liriope. Found Japanese honeysuckle next to the big spruce, vining into the inkberry. Pulled it out by the roots but not sure if I got it all.

Big heap of snow still on the corner, but melting fast.

Filled two bags with debris.

Starter Fire

Getting ready for cold weather.

Best Harvest in Years

Already this year I've had the best harvest in several years. It's the cage, because the deer are huge and the squirrels are around as well. In spite of a very late start (end of June) other things that helped were:

I planted the day I bought them. 

It rained a lot for the first few weeks. 

We've had breaks in the heat so fruit can set. 

If I got no more for the rest of the summer I'm pleased. 

Spring for Real

I done remember this tree being quite so vivid before. The dogwood by the front door is also blooming, for the first time ever. 

Finally Spring

We had a glorious good weekend, and I had time to be out there. I cleaned up the  outside corner and the front yard. Small bites. 

I saw bloodroot up- I think this is really late. 

Autumn

I gave in and turned on the heat when I got home from work last night. 

Outside

There is a lot going on outside. I'll just post and caption a bunch of pictures.

Rocky did some liberal mixing of bulbs together.

The ironweed was spectacular this year.

This showed up - bidens?

The turtleheads are doing great. I think they like more light.

This showed up, too!  I had to cut back suckers and branches to create the little grotto she is sitting in.

Vignette of yellows.

White and purple ageratum with some asters as well.

The white blooms are in heavy shade by the Norway spruce.