Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Gardening in September




We are having some cooler temperatures again.  We like to take advantage of these pretty days to work in the garden before the real work of fall begins...Leaf removal.  Can you tell it's not my favorite fall chore?  Before that begins we can do a lot to get our garden ready for winter while the weather cooperates.




I like a clean edge to our mulch beds of shrubbery.  There are all kinds of ways to keep a tidy edge that we have used over the years.  On a few of my flower beds we have used brick edging.  These were left over bricks from the building of our home and its additions.  I love the look of brick in the garden as it has an organic way of blending in with the environment.  The mulch beds of shrubbery is different though.  As the shrubs grow the mulched beds need to increase in width.




I've used a half moon edger for years now to get this task done.  It's not too difficult and gives a pleasing edge to our beds.  If you are lucky enough to have had recent rains, the job goes with ease.  If not more muscle needs to be applied to the process.  Grayden and I share the work duty as we edge along the beds.  Ideally this bed should have been edged and mulched this past spring.  That didn't happen so we are doing the work now.




 Gardens are not made by singing 'Oh, how beautiful,' and sitting in the shade.


— Rudyard Kipling


We are a little behind because of the heat and humidity that we have even into September.  Also while cleaning a neighbor's fence of vines and such, I must have gotten into some poison ivy or poison sumac or poison oak.  I'm very familiar with these vines and did not see any evidence of them growing along the fence.  I've had to go on three medications to clear this mess up.  If you love gardening this will probably happen to you.  85% of us are allergic to these vines.  And the other 15% can become allergic at any time.  So be careful, my friends.  I read recently to get the urushiol  oil off of your skin is to scrub your body with Dawn dish washing liquid.  It seems kind of harsh, but the rash is harsher!  The urushiol is a laquer like substance that exudes from the vines that is quite difficult to remove.  If you don't remove it you will have this oil spread over places you never thought you touched.  You should also make sure you launder your clothing and clean your tools.  This is all to do if you know you've been exposed.  Since my experience, I have been at least washing up to my elbows in Dawn.

My doctor looked at me as he was accessing my problem and said, "Don't you know that is a job husbands should be doing and not you"?  I told him I love working in the garden and I can't imagine sending him out to do this chore alone.  If you love gardening you know what I'm talking about.






Our next job will be transplanting some acuba and some hydrangea that would like to live somewhere else.  Plants will teach us where they like to be if we pay attention.











40 comments:

  1. I'm not happy clearing the leaves either ~ especially as the trees that drop the leaves aren't mine! I just think of all the lovely leaf mould I'll be making.
    I think the half moon is the best edging method too.
    Your new header is lovely.
    ~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Deb. I love the composted leaves as well. We get our leaves and the neighbor's leaves as well. I'm sure they say the same about us! My garden is so healthy due to our composted leaves. Enjoy your evening. xoxo ♥

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  2. I succumbed to the lure of Autumn today and bought a colorful Mum at the grocery store even though it is 90 degrees up our way today! I spent all morning in the garden yesterday, though, cutting away the dying hostas and other plant material that has shriveled up. It was nice out until about noon so it was a pleasure to be in the garden working.

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    1. Cathy, I've been tempted to buy mums as well, but so far I have not. It's been so nice the last couple of mornings working in the garden. I'm so glad you have been doing the same. The humidity is returning again, but it was nice while it lasted. Have a nice evening. ♥

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  3. Wow, you have been busy. The weather is changing. It was chilly here in the mornings. I hate cleaning up the oak leaves. i got into some poison oak before and got a bad case. I am holding off with buying mums, because it will be in the 90's soon again. Enjoy the rest of your week.

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    1. It's been so nice being able to work outside without expiring, Linda. I'm just about healed up from the poison whatever I had. I've had it before, but this time was worse than ever. Have a good week. ♥

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  4. I'm still waiting for cooler weather to draw me outside but your garden work and cooler weather sounds wonderful with the exception of the poison ivy. I've had several bouts in recent years and have had to go on steroids, etc. Not pleasant. Hope you get over it soon.

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    1. Dotsie, I hope some cooler weather comes your way soon. The last couple of mornings were cooler with little humidity!
      I'm still on steroids and an antibiotic along with an antihistamine. I've never taken steroids before and I must say I don't like the way it makes me feel. But the alternative is worse, so I am getting better. ♥

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  5. Accckkk...I am sorry that you got yourself into a mess and that it has taken medical attention. It must be miserable. I have worried about such things because I am often in the puckerbrush this summer... I will remember your admonitions. I will also remember the tip about doing edging after the rain...guess I know what I'll be doing Thursday.

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    1. Thank you, Vee. I am much better but I'm still taking meds that make me less than pleasant. I never did see the poison whatever that I got into. So be very careful as you walk among the brush, etc. ♥

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  6. Oh Martha Ellen, I totally get where you're coming from here. At our old house, I removed all the grapevines on my fence connecting to our neighbor's, and it was such a chore, but harmless to touch. So sorry you got poison oak or ivy in the process of getting rid of all the vines. I'm wondering what kind of vines they were? I love your red door, it's so charming.

    Get well and take care, my friend.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Thank you, Sheri. Our elderly neighbors are unable to keep up their fence that border's our property. So we were out cleaning that up and wouldn't you know, I got into something poison.
      You know that I'm a red lover and you will see it over and over on my posts. Have a nice week, dear one. ♥

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  7. Somehow, reading this on my device, I missed your injuries ~ I hope you are recovered now. We don't have those particular things in the UK but there are other nasties, such as Euphorbia, Goose Grass, and other things that aggravate the skin. I had an incident with Yew sap, and always wear long sleeves and gloves for gardening, but it sounds as if yours went through your clothing too? Very nasty indeed.
    ~~~Healing Hugs from Deb in Wales

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    1. Thank you, Deb. I'm much better now but I'm still on medication. The poison ivy sap (urushiol) gets through clothing and starts to do damage before you know it. If you don't get it cleaned up fast you have a problem. That includes tools and gloves and clothing that you can reinfect yourself with. There are many joys in the garden, but this is not one of them! ♥

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  8. Love the touches in the garden! I really hope autumn will bring us some relief from this heat--I'm so tired of air conditioning.

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    1. Susan, I am with you about the heat. I usually don't like to wish the days away, but enough of this heat and humidity. Tomorrow is supposed to be better. I hope the same for you! ♥

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  9. Our lawn care is getting a bit harder these days. I love it, but with all the trimming and edging, it's strenuous on these old bones! I adore your hydrangea Martha Ellen! I have one also changing with the fall coming. Reading about your gardening reminds me of how blissfull it was to rake leaves in fall...how I miss that! Wishing you a very blessed day!

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    1. Betsy, we are finding we can't work the long hours we used to in the garden. Particularly when it's hot and humid. I hope you cut some hydrangea blossoms and enjoy them indoors. They are nice reminders of Autumn in the air. I have several bouquets in the dining room and living room. Blessings to you as well! ♥

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  10. Good post! I like the edging- it looks so neat and perfect (mine is not!). I'm sorry you got into that poison ivy or poison oak. I had it once I know what it's like. It's hard to explain how itchy and miserable it is. I ended up on prednisone and a prescription cream and that seemed to work for me. I love how the doctor thought that was man's work! LOL... I'm like you I get out there and help or do it myself. It feels like early fall here- temps. in the upper 60's to low 70's and the nights are chilling off. I've given in and started to add some fall touches in the house.

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    1. Liz, I could just guess a gardener like you has experienced the terrible poison ivy or oak! I've been on prednisone for over a week and still have a few doses to go. Along with an antibiotic and an antihistamine I'm doing so much better than last week.
      I'm looking forward to seeing your Autumn touches. Next week I hope to do the same. ♥

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  11. Sending huge hugs, dear Martha Ellen! I'm so sorry to hear about the poison vines. Ugh! I don't even think about that when pulling the vines off my neighbor's fence. I will try to pay close attention from now on. Your edging tool looks like something that I need, too. I am in the midst of a big transplanting project in my garden. After a nasty fall on Sunday, I am out of commission for a while. It's so hard to know that while the weather is perfect for gardening, I am inside just looking out the windows. We just have to take time to heal. I am so grateful for the kindness of others during this time! Hope that we can both enjoy time in our beloved gardens very soon, my sweet friend! ♡

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    1. Hugs to you, dear Dawn. I'm so sorry to hear you had a fall. I hope your injuries are not requiring a visit to the doctor's office. Please take time to heal and soon we will both be outside doing what we love!
      I think you would enjoy having a half moon edger. It makes quick work of the job of edging. Our weather is supposed to get cooler starting tomorrow and I couldn't be happier. Do take care, dear friend. ♥

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  12. I really like your edging, it looks great.. So sorry you got into the poison ivy or oak. It must feel miserable! Hope you are feeling better very soon.
    I too love to work in the garden, but the heat this summer has taken a toll on just about everything.. Even my roses are looking so sad.. The blooms are about 1/4 the size they should be and are crisp! Too many days of 110 degrees.. I lost 80 % of the plants I planted this spring. Well, there is always next year right?
    Love your red door!

    Thank you for visiting and your kind thoughts. You know Martha Ellen, I think everyone and everything is going so fast, we do need to be ~in the moment~ as much as possible.
    Blessings,
    Penny

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    1. Penny, our summer has been so hot and humid! It's so disappointing when we work in our gardens only to have the weather be so oppressive that everything expires. I hope your temperatures turn for the cooler air of Autumn. I'm so looking forward to those crisp fall mornings and evenings. Blessing to you, Penny!

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  13. Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry about the poison oak or ivy or whatever had caused the problem. I hope the meds are effective and soon! Your trimmer looks like a great tool. I look forward to gardening in the future. I love reading of your joy and dedication to gardening.

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    1. Judy, it won't be long before you can enjoy all the activities you once did and more. I'm much better now with all of this medication. Ugh...
      Take care and enjoy your beautiful views from your front porch, dear one. ♥

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  14. You are a dedicated gardener, Martha Ellen!! Your lovely yard and gardens give evidence of that! Everything is so neat and tidy and pretty and thriving.

    I hope that your poison ivy (or something) clears up quickly! Then you can enjoy the glorious autumn days in your garden.

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    1. You are so kind, Cheryl. It's beginning to look a lot less tidy as the season wears on. Like me, I think my garden is gearing up for some rest.
      I'm glad to see your computer is working for you! ♥

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  15. The flowers are beautiful and I love the wreath too ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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  16. I came via another blog on your blog and as I love writing about gardens and making photos of own gardens I´m going to follow you.
    Regards from Holland,
    Janneke

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    1. Thank you Janneke for coming over. I'll be by to visit. Visiting Holland is a dream of mine, particularly when the tulips are in bloom! ♥

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  17. So sorry to read about your reaction to those very nasty plants ... hope all is cleared up soon.

    Having a garden is wonderful, but there is always work to do ... it makes the sitting down and resting times so enjoyable.

    Take care, and may the remaining weeks of this month be good for you.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. I'm much better now and finished up the last of the meds today. Have a great weekend. ♥

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  18. My daughter in law got into something like poison ivy last year and it was terrible...so hope you are better now...and I just love the sidebar pic of you and your mama and daddy...now, I am going to put one of me with my little baby brother and my mom and dad. Thanks for inspiring me..xoxo

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    1. BJ, it was really awful, but I am so much better now! I'm looking forward to seeing your baby photo with your family! Your sweet blog is full of inspiration to me! xoxo ♥

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  19. Thank you so much for your visit and most kind words.. I am happy to know the piano player gave you a smile..
    Wishing you a beautiful week.
    blessings,
    Penny

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  20. wow that is so beautiful ,loved the forth pic ,i also have these flowers they are adorable

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  21. lovely time.. thank god your daughter came home safely..

    Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com
    I'm following you.. please follow me back...

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    1. Thank you for commenting, Krishna. I will come over to see you soon. Thank you for the follow. ♥

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