Autumnal angst


Or is it simply angst that autumn seems to have passed us by? We went right from high summer in September to early winter in October this year. Oh well, my weather app tells me that some balmier temps are on the way.

But even with a warm spell to come, undeniably the end of the growing season has arrived, and thus it becomes more difficult to feign enthusiasm about any flowering plants that might be hanging on, even for a Bloom Day post. During spring and summer I anxiously await the development of the various flowers—tulips, roses, lilies, hydrangeas, rudbeckia, and so on. Every day has an exciting discovery, or even a traumatic disappointment.

In mid-October though, it’s winding down. I’m much more interested in planning the spring bulbs than I am in looking at what might still be hanging on at this stage. Which is really how it should be. And of course I’m very involved in my winter forcing projects. And I’m figuring out how to keep all the plants in my plant room alive.


The garden outside, now? Not so much. It’s pretty enough in its fall colors and scattered messiness, I’ll give it that.

Comments

WiseAcre said…
Yea, I've given up on flowers and have been hunting mushrooms. But even that is winding down fast with the very hard frosts of the last week.
Anonymous said…
I ripped out our beds a couple of weeks ago because we had early frost that decimated the flowers! I do have some mums growing and some pretty fall foliage. But like you, I'm waiting to plant my spring bulbs!
At least you've got decent fall color. Here, the display is pitiful.
As you say, just as it should be. It is still nice to see a few hangers on.
Carol Michel said…
We had the same phenomenon here. One day it was summer, then I left for GWA, came back and it was fall. Now it is a cold, damp, dreary, not really fall but not winter either. I just hope we get some warm weather at least one more time before true winter!
Kerri said…
Yes, the transition was much too abrupt, and as Carol says, it's cold, damp and dreary. I hope that promised warm spell eventuates because the cold is making me cranky. There's still much to do outside and I hate working out there in cold weather. My warm Australian blood can't take the cold :)
Spring bulbs and winter forcing projects are great things to focus on to beat the pre-winter blues.
And we can still enjoy that last bit of color before the monotones of winter set in, can't we?
Your fall garden does look pretty.
Unknown said…
I take a very small bit of comfort in the fact that my weather irritations are being echoed by gardeners all over North America. We've had no autumn yet to speak of, and the constant rain and win has bedraggled and swept much of the colour out of foliage. Blerk. I think a lot of indoor, flowering plants are going to be needed to help us cope with all this.
Barbee' said…
Yep, here in bluegrass area of Kentucky, too. We are supposed to get 2 or 3 days of nice weather now, today was perfect. We are cleaning up. Morning glories the readers enjoyed so much are gone. Lots to do. But, it smells deliciously like autumn!
Gail said…
First of all a big thank you for inspiring me to add more spring blooming bulbs to my garden! Especially the species tulips! And,

The monsoon rains have abated and we finally have a few beautiful days to feel like it's fall. Now we can appreciate October in Nashville~~ the asters, gold leaves and the occasional orange of maples. gail

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