Posted in Homestead Garden and Farm

Hello there friends, boy have I been missing you all!

  My computer crashed and burned- a very sad thing .  The good news is, I got a used model FREE  that will do just fine until our budget will accomodate buying a new updated system.  God is good! 

I must say a great big "Thank You, Thank You!" to Nancy and Harriette for being gracious enough to wear yet another hat and fill in while I was "disconnected".  You ladies are great, thank you both so much!

Now, how are those gardens growing???

  With the recent cool weather, my container gardens and the gardener are showing signs of life again.  It's amazing what a little rain and moderate temperatures will do for plant and human life! 

 My basil is thriving and should be ready to harvest any day.  I planted it a little later in the season.  My Bay tree has lots of new leaves- though I pick them for the soup pot just about as quickly as they appear . The pot of chives needs to be divided and given a "haircut".   I'll divide it into 3 or 4 small pots and bring a couple indoors for a winter windowsill garden, and share the others with a friend. 

With the recent e-coli issue in spinach, I planted a big pot of spinach seeds this weekend.  I have spinach in my  breakfast smoothie almost every morning- so I must have my greens! 

I'm ready for some fall color around my home, how about you?

What are you planting for fall? Post it and leave a comment so we can see what your fall favorites are.  Here are some of my favorites:

Violas (my favorite fall/winter flowers)

Pansies

Calendula (also known as Pot Marigold)

Snapdragons

Nasturtiums

Chrysanthemums

For a cute fall display for the front porch, buy several pots of any combination of these  flowers (or whatever you like that does well in your area)  and arrange them in a bushel basket.  You don't even have to plant them in the basket if you only want a temporary arrangement.  Just fill your basket part of the way with some newspaper or other "filler", hay would be great.  Then, place your little potted flowers in the basket and  top with moss to hide the pots.  Tie a big bow with some raffia or pretty fall ribbon on one of the handles, maybe tuck in a little pumpkin, gourd or scarecrow just to make it cuter; then sit back and admire your handiwork!  You can plant your flowers in the garden when you're ready for a new front porch display. 

Don't forget to post a picture for the Fall Farm and Homestead Tour.

Hope you enjoy the cool weather and

"Happy Fall Ya'll"!!!

Catherine

www.homesteadblogger.com/CatherineAnn