In one of my favourite films, Sue comes looking for Mick "Crocodile" Dundee. The doorman says he's "gone walkabout". For Australian aborigines, this usually means a period of time spent walking in the bush. For me today it meant "a walking trip" around my garden.
I decided to walk in the front, side and back, take photos of my late summer garden and make notes as to what worked, what didn't and how to improve plantings for next year.
Note: Allyssum like cool, moist conditions - not high heat and humidity. Do NOT grow from seed anymore.
Note: the true workhorse of the summer was red tuberous begonias. Buy flats and flats of these as annuals next summer. Make it the only annual front and back.
Note: Balloon flowers will re-bloom if deadheaded.
Note: After cutting down Elaine bed, check if the wasps were ground digger wasps and if yes, destroy nests.
Note: this fall or next spring, chain-saw the pussywillows.
Note: Skip the tomatoes and plant herbs in raised beds instead.
Note: Prune bottom branches of walnut tree so that they don't hang into and obscure the Feather Reed Grass
Note: prune Fairy Rose and remove purple Harebell to give the emerging Quince bush more room to grow
Note: move new Carpet Rose and 2 Lavender plants into sunnier spots
Note: Stake Miscanthus grass early in summer using strong metal stakes and wire, not string.
OK - notes have been taken and recorded! Now to enjoy these last summer blooms before I start the huge job of cutting down the garden in mid-October.
Please check my food blog - the latest recipe is Asparagus, Goat Cheese and Bacon Tart.
8 comments:
Walk abouts are good and so are lists. Every year about this time I do the same...walk the property and make up a punch list for spring. It gives you something to plan for and look forward to over the long winter. Looks like you have a good "to do' list there...better get going!
Ah, being a gardener is an endless list of to-dos! I have a very long list too and try to mentally divide it up in smaller tasks or else I would get very frustrated seeing all that needs doing. Good luck with your list!
I also use my walkabouts to make to-do lists. The list is always growing, and I never get to the end of it, but that is what gardening is! I am miserable when I can't get out there to do a little 'work'. Since my hip surgery, I have had a lot of walkabouts, but a few days ago I managed to get out there with my cane and do a little watering and pruning. It felt good!
Hi Lee
You're right - winter is terrific for planning. I'll need to get really organized before that.
Astrid
Hi Helene
Once the long list is made, I sure could use a helper we well!
Astrid
Hi Deb
So glad to hear you are getting out and about! Do any physio they tell you to do and you will get right back to normal soon. (Take this from a double knee replacement chick ;)
Astrid
Hi Astrid. Your walk about and taking note is a good idea. Looks like you live next door to a park on the picture of tomatoes which you are not going to have next year
Hi Alistair
Almost a park - there's a mutual funds company behind us and that's the driveway to their offices. Looks good eh? Especially because of the see-through chain link fence.
Astrid
Astrid, I see you have a lot to do in the garden. I have a list to do as well. Do you plant new bulbs? I love your The fairy rose and looking at yours decided to prune mine too.
This is a great exercise and one I meant to do last year but didn't. I would love to have notes on what needs to be moved and where. In spring when plants are small and just emerging, it is so hard to gauge the size and spacing. So much better to make photos and notes when the plants have reached their full seasonal size.
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