September 1. Summer on the wane, but not quite autumn. In the mornings, I put on a little heat in the car and by afternoon I'm using the air conditioner.
Bees continue to hum about the flowers, collecting nectar against the coming winter.
The Concord Grapes are slowly turning purple - it will be a few more weeks before harvest comes.
I've just about given up on my tomatoes. Some are ripening, but there is a critter taking bites out of them - raccoon, squirrel, rat? Many are deformed and not as sweet and juicy as usual. It's been a very odd summer in my garden.
A few cornflowers continue to bloom alongside the yellow rudbeckias, dahlias, and zinnias. I'm beginning to do some garden cleanup. Most of the stalks and flowers I leave for insect hibernation, but there are a few shrubs to cut back, and roses to deadhead.
Hydrangeas are turning all sorts of mellow pinks, purples, and burgundies. A few new blossoms continue to appear. I love summer for its headiness - the exuberance of blooms, burgeoning life, and lush growth. I love summer's relaxed pace and warm, sunny days ending in long evenings. When autumn comes, I am ready to say farewell to summer and embrace this new season, also loved.
The zinnias and dahlias will bloom until frost comes - usually in early to mid October. Until then I'll clip bouquets for the house and enjoy the colour in the garden.
How is September starting out for you - with golden light, or grey rainy days that invite coziness?
Well it was a mix of both today. Thankfully sun was out when Fireman and I did our gardening/fire pit stoking. Then rain. The news is dismal, so the tiny bit of sun shone with a tiny bit of hope here
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Your Blog so very, very much. Happy September
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your last year in school, such a difficult time to teach. Those grapes look like they will be delicious. Curious how two years are never the same in the garden. We had a bad year last year for tomatoes but this year has been one of the best. Hopefully you will have a better year next year with yours. Have a good week. B x
ReplyDeleteYou have expressed my sentiments and feelings exactly - a golden September, yes, but no, I am not ready to think in terms of Autumn for some time yet.
ReplyDeleteA little mixture of both for us which is usual for this very changeable month. I love the cosiness of this month. Throws and sweaters making an appearance and the preparation of the Winter store cupboard all add to the beauty of this very special month.
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem with tomatoes this year. September here in NC is still hot, rainy and muggy. But I am embracing these days.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers. Happy September!
ReplyDeleteThis second day, wind and rain. It is not weather I dislike. I feel blustery days are the inspiring winds of creativity. Here, the zinnias sowed late into the ground, finally have buds. I pray they bloom before a frost.
September will be a transitional month for us all with the children back in school. There’s a coolness in the air and fall is on its way...we have oodles of tomatoes and beans to harvest! Our new raised beds have been a success.
ReplyDeleteReading JoJo Moyes Giver of Stars from our local library which thankfully has reopened! Will be my go to for the foreseeable future!
Take care Lorrie!
Your pictures are stunning!
Your September photos are breathtaking :)
ReplyDeleteThe day began with fog but a few hours later the sun came out and it's a glorious Fall day.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the critter that's taking bites out of your tomatoes. I have a piece of 'bird netting' handy and can drape it over any plants that need protecting.
I didn't know if I would be excited about autumn this year but with each blog friend who writes about it I am once again anticipating and looking forward to it. And that is such a relief. Your post is beautiful, but then it always is.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have fresh bouquets from your garden. It been the same here. Cold in the morning and air conditioning in the late afternoon and evening. Happy September to you.
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful photos. I have been waiting for the Concord Grapes to show up in stores, but I guess you just answered my questions about them, Patience, Ruth. It has been cool and today it is a drizzly sort of day.
ReplyDeleteSeptember has brought some rainy weather, but it's still hot and humid. Summer isn't quite ready to leave yet!
ReplyDeleteOur first two days of September have been quite summery. There are hints of the coming autumn as you look around, but the heat and humidity are shouting, "Not yet!"
ReplyDeleteI love zinnias too, and the fact that they stay on until frost.
Happy September to you, Lorrie! Your photos are cheery and bright and gave my morning a boost. I also loved seeing your zucchini tots, your butterscotch peach jam, from your previous post. I’m going to check out that pie crust that you mentioned. Thank you! I do have a recipe that uses all oil and mixes right in the pan.
ReplyDeleteSeptember already, how did that happen. At least you still have bright beautiful flowers to enjoy even if the tomatoes have been got at! Here it's Autumn already, constant rain and it's chilly in the mornings. There's talk of a late Indian summer but I'm sceptical, the heating is on and we're eating comfort food.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, I am looking forward to cooler days. It is rainy and quite humid today.
ReplyDeleteOur tomatoes did not do well this summer either. But other things did. Our hydrangeas were so pretty as well as the roses. The zinnias have finally begun to take the stage after three plantings. That was a first for me with zinnias.
Your post was lovely, Lorrie. I know you will be enjoying autumn before we will.
I’ve missed zinnias in my garden this year.
ReplyDeleteI’ve begun noticing that the early changing trees are already beginning, and local Amish farmers have tobacco hanging in their barns. Autumn is truly at hand.
just today as I was walking the dog, I walked by some wild grapes and could smell them strongly. September for us has been good- summer was far too hot here in Connecticut (at least for our liking) beautiful pics you've captured!
ReplyDeletewww.theartofhomegrown.com
I do like it when September arrives, it means Autumn is on its way, one of my favourite seasons.
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs, happy September wishes.
All the best Jan