Archives for October 2014

Years and years ago I planted some small cyclamen bulbs.  And this little patch has still survived.

You can see them here hiding under the hosta.  Every year again they surprise me when they suddenly appear.

They are pretty small and delicate.  This patch has not grown much over the years.

When I read up on them, they should be hardy to a zone 4 with good snow cover.  I’m in zone 5 here, and they do get lots of snow protection.

The leaves are evergreen, there all season long.  Cyclamen look lovely in a woodland setting, with hostas and ferns.

In between the rain and drizzle, we’ve had a few warm temperature days.

Not warm enough to dry anything out really.  Just good weather to get outside for a few more precious hours.

The garden is muddy and weedy; the sunflower seed heads are even molding.

I wanted to harvest the last vegetables, before it gets much colder.

A dishpan full of red and green peppers.

I’m surprised there were that many red ones, but it is October, so they’ve had long enough to turn.

Quite a nice batch of jalapeños.  I’ll just wash them and pop them whole into the freezer.

Some beets.  Sweet golden beets, and a fun striped variety.  Dark red ones I’ll get another  day.

And some green onions and raspberries!

The raspberry bush is still full of potential berries, so I pick a few every other day or so.

Overall, the vegetable garden did very poorly this year.  Some poor planting decisions I made, a lot of rain, not really enough heat.

But the critters didn’t do much damage,  I had lots of flowers,  and the gourds were a success.

And there’s always next year to try again!

 

As late as it is in the season, some plants are just showing off now.

The monkshood, so named because it looks like a little man in a hood.

Well, use your imagination.

All sorts of sedums are giving some great colour.

The Japanese Anemone, pink and white, are really doing well with all the rain.

And the orchid-like toad lilies are coming out.

The purple and pink asters are a welcome shot of colour too.

After a lovely September, October has been cooler and wet.  Even though lovely things are blooming, I’m not outside to enjoy them!

 

I’ve replanted some of my favourite plants, so I can move them indoors for the winter.  There’s the two Plumbago, and a begonia.

Some geraniums I’m going to try to save, not in soil, just bare roots.  A new method I’m trying.

And the dark purple Wandering Jew or Setcreasea ‘Purple Heart’ keeps well over winter in the house too.

The chestnuts are all falling.  A big raking job awaits.

The onions have been drying on the deck and are almost ready for storage.

The patio is getting bare.

I’ve cut back the water lilies,  trying hard not to fall in myself.

The heat is on in the house. Jackets are back in the closet.  A thicker  blanket on the bed.  Looking for stew recipes.

I think summer is over.

Castor bean or castor oil plant is a bold and beautiful plant.

Not a bean at all, the castor plant is our source of castor oil.  The leaves and especially the seeds are extremely poisonous.

The leaves are this lovely palm shape.

I grew this red variety from seed saved from last year’s plants.  It grows 4-5 feet tall, with a thick woody stem.  I don’t stake it.  It usually stays upright, unless a strong summer storm makes it lean over.

There is no bloom to speak of, it’s all about the leaves here.  The seeds are hidden in these spiked red balls.  I wait until they are more mature, when they turn more brown and dried.  Then it’s easy to pop the seeds out, and save them for next spring.

It is a striking plant in the garden, doing best in sunnier areas.

One or two plants will provide lots of  conversation with your garden visitors!