Happy Halloween. It snowed yesterday. Not just a few flakes , but real snow – about 3-4 inches worth. There are still leaves on many of the trees so its a surreal world out in the garden this morning. Luckily I spent a lot of time last week working outside, cutting back perennials, tidying up the veggie garden etc. There is still work to do. It is 19 degrees this morning, but the snow will melt and we will be back into the 50’s and 60’s in a few days. Meanwhile….

And then……..

Tonight we set back the clocks, tomorrow is November. There is still much to do before winter sets in for good.

We got an inch of blessed rain the other day. We need more but it was wonderful to have a rainy day. The garden soldiers on through the drought with asters, mums, and other fall color. We have had visitors of course.

I refurbished some of my hypertufa troughs – silver saxifrages needed dividing

The fall foliage this year is glorious despite the drought. But it doesn’t seem to be lasting long. We get a quick blaze of color and then the leaves dry out and drop. For those who don’t live in New England – here’s a taste.

Well there goes summer. We had some light frost a few days ago and now have a few days of warmth – what we called Indian Summer when we were kids. Hummingbirds have gone, but we have seen bluebirds. Cardinals, chickadees, finches, nuthatches, titmice and “ahem” chipmunks are visiting the feeders. We put them out last week, but bring them in at night since the black bears are around and fattening up for winter. The drought continues, so I have had to resort to hand watering in order to keep many plants alive.

The meadow is in full autumn glory with goldenrod and many different asters. Butterflies and bees are stocking up for the season ahead as well.

And finally, it is apple season – so I baked a pie…..

It is mid-August, and we are really dry. It seems that the t-storms go north or south of us – very frustrating. The garden always looks a bit tired this time of year anyway, but it has been a challenge keeping plants alive through the heat and lack of rainfall. I have spent a lot of time hauling hoses around and trying to keep things watered. Weeding is not happening.

Hopefully the drought will be over soon, but in the meantime, I’ll enjoy the rest of the summer and worry about the weeding and other chores in September.

Daylilies never disappoint. It has been a hot, dry summer so far but by dragging hoses around, I have been able to keep things looking good – and alive. I have had some of the lilies for a very long time and some are new and blooming for the first time in my garden. First the new ones:

And some older favorites:

A few other things are blooming now too

And finally a shout-out to reader Helen who stopped by to see my garden with her daughter Lisa today. Wonderful to meet you, Helen!

The Japanese Iris Ensata began blooming in late June and some are still going strong. Some have fewer blossoms than last year which means I probably need to dig them up and thin them out. Another chore for the fall to do list.

I also have some Asiatic lilies that have lovely color this year

A spotted visitor stopped by

And the daylily show has begun…

More later……

I was walking about my garden yesterday and noticed how many flowers look like fireworks. Here they are strutting their stuff for the 4th of July.

Daylilies and Iris Ensata posts are coming soon. Happy Independence Day! I hope you are outside enjoying your gardens and our beautiful country.

We are in drought. I think I spent most of the last couple of weeks watering and trying to keep things going. Most of the thundershowers in the area missed us, but the next few days hold promise of more so we shall see. In the meantime between hauling the hoses around I have a few photos to share.

The japanese iris are just starting to bloom – I will post some photos once they all come into flower.

Busy times. Weeding, watering, planting, weeding, watering. I have taken lots of photos but haven’t had a chance to post them, so there are a lot in this post. It has been a cool rainy spring but now it is becoming warm and dry. We have had bluebirds and wrens nesting this year and all kinds of birds at the feeders. Chipmunks are everywhere. The iris are beautiful and I have some blooming this year that I thought I had lost. Its always such a treat when a plant returns. Enjoy.

Its really pretty right now. I really enjoy spending time out here escaping from the outside world for awhile

Its fairyland in the garden. I meant to post more photos but rain, wind, and yes, snow squalls etc. got the better of me. Here’s what’s been happening over the last couple of weeks.

I think we have had our last frost, so now I can get to planting the vegetable garden.