What could be better than watching two bluejays hopping and inching their way up into the open branches at the top of a redwood tree, and perhaps playing hide and go seek with each other. There was obviously an important dynamic going on between them. You could sense the bond. Now whether it was supportive or not was not revealed to me. Suddenly one swooped down, ever so fast into the bare garden next door, startling a squirrel who opened its mouth, releasing an important seed that the jay picked up without landing and then continued flying into a nearby shrub! Hard and precise tactics are happening out there as all the critters prepare for the winter season.
What do raccoons, possums, voles and moles do to prepare? We know that the squirrels vigorously dig holes for their seed stashes in our groomed flower and vegetable beds, but what do the spiders do now that their incredible constructs have been torn asunder by last weekend's stormy weather?
Dan Hinckley wrote on his blog: "The madronas (Arbutus menziesii) have again jettisoned their older leaves across every square inch of available real estate." Having for years laboriously gathered up during late July and August the gaba-zillion madrone leaves from my sacred tree (the centerpiece of my garden design), I find his description absolutely spot on. I wish I had written it, but I will certainly quote it often.
I found this entry on another blog: "Pine trees, especially beautiful long-needled ones, like to scare you when the autumn comes by turning colors too. You might think they are ailing, but this is just part of their habit...don't worry...."
Caught by surprise, I wondered how many people are unaware of this seasonal change? It is a real quandary for me. Of course pines and spruces, and redwoods, and - all conifers and evergreen trees and shrubs throw off their old foliage. Have we really, as a culture, lost that much knowledge of the plant world we live within?
While I seem to be on a quoting binge today, another blog entry for you: "Autumn chores are the precursor to winter's garden bones, so how your garden is tamed will last long into spring. A beautiful balmy 65-degree day following a full night of real drenching rain creates a flawless gardening day - not too hot - not too cold and the earth at its most accessible...in other words - perfect!" I am afraid that we can only dream about a 65-degree day again in 2010, but we will have beautiful and sunny fall afternoons where the work in the garden will be pleasurable.
These days I usually start by vigorously raking my outer garden - the sidewalk and gutter. I find that the heavy jacket, even maybe a sweater, can be quickly discarded. My warm-up exercises also make the neighborhood look well cared for and often I encounter wonderful conversations with my local band of dedicated walkers.
This year I made a list of the "autumn chores." It is quite useful in that I don't have to re-think all the possibilities every time I can grab a few bits of time in the garden. It does get re-prioritized on a fairly regular basis, and of course always there are the additions. One huge change this year is that I have NOT bought any bulbs! I've decided to do an inventory of the ones that I have planted over the years. I plan to chart the successes and the areas that could use some improvement. I have never stepped back like this before. I hope I will stay true to my intentions. And I am so looking forward to ZERO guilt feelings about not getting the bulbs planted at the right time!
Despite the crisp chill to the air and the waning light, clearing and cleaning up the garden does start the magical dream cycles for and about next year's perfect garden.[[In-content Ad]]
