Moonlight in the Garden of Camp MP

It has been difficult to find time to tend to the gardens at Camp MP of late. Today's weather was more late November than October, making me long for just last week when we had perfect days that just couldn't be missed. On one of those perfect October afternoons I decided that the everyday stuff could be tossed aside to make room for Fall in the gardens.

I planted and clipped and dug all day...in fact I lost track of time and found myself still digging as the sun went down. I felt just like Morticia gardening by moonlight which crept up and lit the garden perfectly to place the last of the bulbs.

Morticia of course had a garden filled with poisonous weeds and beheaded roses...I am pleased to say my weeds are finally asleep and my roses are in their glory this fall...I think Fall is their favorite season!

In June I planted scads of white hedge roses that I thought would drown in all the rains of August. How thrilled I was to walk out along the back path and see them tall strong and bursting with white blooms...this one is kissing the snow crab filled with fall berries.

Clear October skies made the perfect canvas for the oranges and golds and reds of the turning leaves and with warm temps it was hard to come inside...my favorite season, though the saddest one. One way to avoid the sadness of fading hydrangeas and drooping clematis is to get ready for spring now!

I know what is coming with cold and ice and snow but this is really my favorite time to plant. Take advantage of great sales at local nurseries, they want to get rid of their stock and you won't see those prices next Spring. Visit garden websites such as Jackson Perkins and Wayside Gardens.

This is such a great time to plan for Spring. I moved some hydrangeas that were crowding each other and found some great deals on Crab trees and Dogwoods. There is still time to get shrubs and trees and perennials(don't forget the bulbs) into the ground. They still have a chance to settle in, be sure to give them a good drink, a toss of a good feeding mix and clip off any fading blooms or leaves. When the temps turn chilly tuck them in for a good winter's rest with hay or leaves to protect them. You can also cover new shrubs with burlap to protect from snow and ice.

...one of the new kids

Then kiss them all goodnight and snuggle in...a long Winter to plan for spring planting!! Hydrangeas, climbing roses, a boxwood hedge, cone flower , catmint......