Summer Blooms Heading Into Fall

---

It's the last day of August. Not the last day of summer. Fall doesn't officially begin until September 22. Three weeks from now. But the past few days have been on the cooler side, and some of the blooms are starting to fade. It's hard not to jump on the autumn train. Out on some of my most recent nature walks I've started to notice a few colorful leaves here and there. 

But there's plenty of summer left to behold as well. The temps are expected to rise this Labor Day weekend, so it's going to feel like summer again. And, finally, some of the seeds I sowed late in the season are teasing me with buds ready to burst into flower any day now. The anticipation!

There's still so much green everywhere. I've enjoyed making bouquets from what's growing in my garden. Something new for me. It's become quite addictive. A fun challenge to go out most days and create a vase of color to enjoy or share. If what's coming really does bloom, it will be a feast for these novice gardener's eyes. 

Just a bit of fall color peeking through...

---

---

This has been a summer with a little less adventure, and more experimentation. We have been working on our garden since we bought this house nearly five years ago, and I have made a lot of  planting mistakes. Our neighbor has a very large black walnut tree, and it bears a good deal of fruit in the fall. The neighborhood squirrels love it.  As do we.  But, I recently learned that many plants and flowers  do not survive when planted within 50-75 feet of a black walnut tree. There's a natural compound called juglone that the black walnut tree produces. There are many plants, shrubs, and other trees that are sensitive to this compound and struggle to survive. This at least solves some of the mystery as to why so many of my plantings never return after one summer.  Who knew? Well, not me, obviously. But now I do, and I intend to do some research and find the right plants for that garden spot for next year. Maybe I'll even do some seed sowing this fall. Not something I've ever considered before. 

​So, a bit of online research, pouring over gardening books and magazines, and a lot of YouTube videos have kept me occupied many nights this summer. And I'm looking forward to putting to use what I have learned for next spring.  

But it's a long time until spring. Sure, we get to travel through the beauty of fall. And winter has its beauty, too. But who am I kidding? Winter lasts a long time here in Wisconsin.

​So, I'm going to have to find a way to keep my spirits up. Nature walks will help, of course. And I'm going to try to forage for some colorful alternatives to fresh flowers for arrangements to brighten the days.  Fall leaves will definitely fit the bill. I'm kind of excited, actually, to take on the challenge. Looking out at the garden I can see plenty of things that might bring some cold season beauty indoors.

And, since I planted so many of my flowers late, perhaps I'll have blooms into October, maybe beyond. Unless... 

Of course, there are other things to do. Perhaps all of the things I should have gotten done inside over the summer will take priority as the cooler days settle in. I'm liking the idea of forcing blooms  inside, too. Not something I would have considered even just a year ago.

​In the meantime, I'm going to try and enjoy these last days of summer. Savor them as best I can. Because once fall truly arrives, I can tell you, I'm all in.

Sowed late, and finally starting to bloom!