Book Review - Emily Dickinson's Gardening Life

I will say this first, I like Emily Dickinson's poetry. I think even if you didn't like her poetry and you are a gardener you would like this book. One reason is because the way the author, Marta McDowell, presented the poetry that goes with the information about Emily's gardening. 

Marta being a gardener seemed to know how to express so many things that all gardeners love about gardening. Marta includes stories about Emilys gardening  and shows how her poems reflect her thoughts about gardenings ups and downs. 

I think this book would give you a weekend full of entertainment and maybe even some enlightenment about Emily and gardens in general.

I just happened upon this book through Timber Press. They didn't send me this book to review or anything of that nature. I was just so pleased with it I wanted to share it with you.

Have a great weekend.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - October 2019

I must say that this year feels a whole lot different than past Octobers but in reality the blooms are much the same. As I looked back at some past Octobers I was somewhat surprised that I find a lot of the same things blooming. It feels different this year because of the moderate drought we are in. 

This spring I moved the above sedums into more sun.  I had such high hopes in for stronger blooms and more full plants but was a disappointed. While the plants are stronger and taller only about half of them bloomed at all. You can see the darker heads in the foreground. They bloomed, barely. The ones in the back tried to set some blooms but what you see is what I got. Not terribly impressive. I guess I will have something to look forward to next year. 

The old stalwart Hamamelis Virginiana'Witch Hazel' seems to have more blooms this year than ever. Go figure?!

The few Asters I have seemed to not be too fussy about the weather conditions. As you can see in the back ground I have purchased a few mums to set here and there. The diciduous holly in the background is full of red berries that the Mockingbird has been protecting already. It usually doesn't eat those berries until late winter/early spring. I guess he just doesn't want any competition.

The poor Toad lilies are full of blooms but the foliage looks pitaful.

The wirey bloom of Persicaria corporal look good just because, I mean really, how could you tell they weren't.?? Ha... I guess that is one reason to grow these things. They never look bad. They are difficult to make a nice picture. 

Most of the rest of the blooms in the garden are the annuals that don't really take much water or care. Such as these impatients that stood sentinel by the gate all summer rarely requesting a drink.

Zinnias of various colors are still hanging in there. 

As are the Mexican Sunflowers 'Tithonia'. 

The Canas are still blooming despite a shot of frost. They are under some trees where they get a bit of protection. 

I almost forgot about the fall blooming anemone Honorine jobert,

as well as a sprinkling of tall garden phlox 'David'.

So just when I think I don't have much blooming, I get out there and look to find a few things. It is just that they are few and far between. 

How is it in your garden this October?  Has the frost got most of your blooms or are you just beginning to see your spring bloom?

What ever do pop over to Carols blog to join in with those that want to share what is blooming in their garden the 15th of this and every month.

October Consolation

We have had only .9 inch of rain since the last time I wrote with half of those days in the 90's which made news because a lot of those 90's were record breaking heat. This time of year we normally have plenty of rain and cooler weather. 

As of today the cooler weather has come in but still no rain. My poor garden is looking quite drab. There was a spot in the garden that gave me great consolation today. I wanted to share it with you.

The compost corner is nearly surrounded by Tatarian Aster. The Missouri Botanic Garden says that  Tatarian Asters will grow to 3 -4 foot tall. I am here to tell you that these will grow much taller. I am was so surprised to see that the range this summer is 4 to 8foot tall. The chain link fence you see is 4' tall quite a few are double that.

They lift my spirits high too

This afternoon the blooms were buzzing. There were so many bees, flies, bugs and Butterflies floating around. It was a joy to just stand there and watch.

You should be able to click on any of the pictures to enlarge them so see if there are smaller critters in the blooms too.

There were a couple of American Painted Lady Butterflies.

There were also some large Sulphers and Cabbage Whites flitting about but they wouldn't stand still for  a picture.

There were several different types of folded-winged skippers. 

Those tall plants were bobbing and weaving in the breeze. The bugs were flying from bloom to bloom so I didn't get shots of everything. The wind blew my patience away.

Such a nice introduction to the weekend. I hope you all are planning a good one.