Making a List

Since I am trying to be a serious gardener these days, I am making a list of things I should be doing this fall to prepare my garden for the winter. Here is my list so far:

• Pull out annuals in the garden 
• Empty pots 
• Cut down peony foliage and destroy (wait till after first frost)
• Cut down anemone foliage and destroy (after frost)
• Cut back all nepeta and lambs ears
• Cut phlox down to a few inches
• Plant some new bulbs
• Move succulents into garage
• Edge garden beds one last time
• Bring amaryllis, christmas cactus in
• Clean and sharpen Felco pruners
• Rake and mulch leaves
• Take in gourd birdhouses
• Bring in watering cans
• Keep weeding
• Weed some more

Felcos cleaned and oiled

I did make a big mistake yesterday and pruned some of my lacecap hydrangea, but I couldn't help it. It has grown so big we can hardly get through the gate anymore, so even though I knew I shouldn't be doing it now,  I cut off a lot of the bottom branches. Then I felt bad. I did resist cutting back any roses, they should definitely be left until fall. This stuff in the fall is mostly cleanup--the real work comes in the spring.

Gourd birdhouses need cleaning and a coat of shellac

A favorite birdhouse awaiting repair