TheBanyanTree: Frost on the Pumpkin

[NancyIee at aol.com]

No Frost on the pumpkin here, but it has turned chilly all the same.   From 
90-something, I woke this morning to 67 (in the house, 50 something  
outside).  The dogs woke me as usual, but instead of running toward the  door, 
they wanted in bed with me to warm up. I indulged a minute or two before  the 
morning jaunt. It's chilly. And, the horses are already getting their fuzzy  
winter coats.
 
I finally got mowing with intent yesterday.  Usually, in the heat, I  mow 
until I am melted.  Yesterday I even got the far edges trimmed back,  the 
head-high weeds chopped and flung, and I managed to miss the hose.   There is 
still more to do. There is ALWAYS more to do, for I try to keep the  three or 
four acres around the house mowed, as well as along the driveway and a  bit 
up and down the shoulder of the road.
 
Local spots are having their Fall festivals. We only stock a pile of  
pumpkins along with all the other seasonal produce. The new building is nearly  
finished.  We still move out of our little shack (which was the original  
U-pick checkout shed years ago) by Thanksgiving. The new building in enclosed  
and under A/C, and in time, there will be a winery at the end. 200-something 
 feet of enclosed produce shopping and, finally, bathrooms.  There are  
restrooms now, but they are way in the back of the property, and if you really  
have to go, you'll never get there in time.
 
The strawberries are planted, and already I spot tiny berries coming.  
Turnip greens and collards, beans, peas, several kinds of lettuces and salad  
veggies, tomatoes by the ton, chard, squashes, and even sweet corn in the  
stackers are all coming up and looking lush.  The u-pick season will be a  
bounty of good things.
You up north are winding down your gardens. We are just beginning.
 
NancyLee