A Real Chestnut
REALLY I have a *insert drumroll here* chestnut on the tree across the parking space from the house! I am so thrilled. And as I looked at the wonderfully chartreuse casing, I looked up and realized the tree has grown easily four feet this year!
I think we can cut back most of the shrubs next to it this fall, leaving the willow tree, the Japanese kerria, the red osier dogwood and the remains of the stumps. The miscellaneous berries in that clump can go, and I can move the fennel plants to another location. They do well anywhere, really, except in truly boggy areas.
The air has been autumnal this last few days — not just in terms of temperatures and cloud cover, but the quality of the light.
Maybe it has something to do with the gradual yellowing of the leaves on deciduous trees.
Or the angle of the sun as it moves on its arc to the south.
Perhaps it’s something about many flowers that are in full bloom now — we have passed the “mostly green” part of summer growth, and now the late summer and early autumn blooms are coming in — gladioli, mums, late-blooming lilies.
The perennials are getting as tall as they will, some are flopping over (really must get stakes ready for next year).
The garlic heads are turning brown and the weeds in that patch are going to seed. The pumpkins are big enough to see without magnification, zucchini and crookneck squash are ripening. Time to harvest. Time to finish picking the last of the summer berries and can or freeze as much as possible.
Time to enjoy the dry weather and play outside, or just sit and read in the shade.