Even When I Complain, In My Garden I Do Best

Chart - "A Sparrow's Song"

Design - "In My Garden"

Designer - With Thy Needle & Thread

Fabric - 40 count Sand Newcastle linen

Fibers - WDW - 1 strand over 2 threads

I made a couple of small changes to the pattern.  I changed the year from 1810 to 2012, and added my initials on the bottom left.

This is another pattern where the strength of the design shines clear with the use of only four colors: WDW's Palomino, Olive, Cappucino, and Light Khaki.  I love the soft colors used in this pallet.  The soft gentle tones remind me of this time of year when the garden is dieing back and readying for Winter.  

The annual drugery chore task of cleaning up for Winter is my most dreaded least favorite part of gardening.  I start stressing about it in September, and it rumbles around in my mind until I finally get down to it sometime in October.  This year I began my "Great Garden Clean Up" on October 17th.  I think as it turns out I'll have spent more hours fussing, and stewing, and planning, and worrying than the actual project will take.  The Back Patio took only two 90-minute sessions to finish. 

The Agaves are now tucked in to the right of the fireplace.  This side of the house faces the south and receives the most benefit from Winter sun.  It absorbs natural BTUs and retains them for hours after the sun sets. 

The Sedums appreciate that the Back Patio is often 3 to 5 degrees warmer than the north-facing Front Porch in the Winter time. 

As all the Sedums and Sempervivums are under the eves, they're safe from the threat of rot.  (In case you were wondering, the milk jugs contain water for our fountain and birdbaths).

I'll probably get a few more Pansies to put on this three-tiered plant stand.  The 'tube' on the white chair is where Tom-Cat sleeps on the nights he must be outside. 

I tucked the many Salvias and Agastaches into this nook.  The white plastic 'cage' stops the deer from eating the Dianthus and a few other 'tasty' plants.  All receive some protection from the wind on the east and north sides.  The walls on two sides also retain any heat generated by Winter sunshine.  If it does get 'extra' cold, then I toss some old blankets over the plants for the night.  I had over 90% survive last Winter in this location. 

After finishing the Back Patio, I began to dismantle the Front Porch.  The first load off: the birds, bunnies, bugs, and watering cans.

Saturday morning I brought in my 18 begonias.  I'll let them spend the Winter in an unheated storage room in my father's shop.  They'll go dormant, and I hope, the tubers will regenerate come Spring.

The first step was to cut them back hard to just a few leaves.   Those I expect to slowly wither and die back as the plants go dormant.  I ended up with a couple of large plastic trugs of blooms and foliage.

Fortunately my Instant Garden Composter was at hand.

By the time she finished up there was not a leaf or petal left.

We have a Winner! Suze (comment #6) is the winner of "The Painted Garden" by Mary Woodin.  Suze you need to contact me to provide a mailing address.  You can do so by clicking "View my Complete Profile" under "About Me" on the right-hand side of the blog. That will take you to "Contact Me" and "Email" where you can reach me off-line.