Concord Grapes

I put in 3 plants two springs ago, against the side of the house, to catch the afternoon sun. I did it all wrong: no proper arbor (just a trellis), disregarded pruning, etc.--and had an enormous harvest this year. I was assisted by a huge black snake who took up residence beneath the leaves; putting a damper on losses due to predation! (Except his predation, of course!) I produced 8 jars of jelly, lots of grape juice, plenty to eat fresh. I guess I will now have to start doing things right!
My snake friend's picture is below:

Autumn

Soft, shimmering mist,
Glittering gray,
Melts in the sun.
Dry leaf shards spiral
Into the brown mould,
Now sun-dappled.
Lovely things
Die, disperse,
Drift away--
And let the light through.

Raspberries

Primocane raspberries--"Caroline". Luxurious and delicious! They need no preparation except for a wash and to be popped in the mouth.

The Last Rose of Summer

’Tis the last rose of summer
Left blooming alone;
All her lovely companions
Are faded and gone;
No flower of her kindred,
No rosebud is nigh,
To reflect back her blushes,
To give sigh for sigh.

Thomas Moore
(The rose is Zephirine Drouhin, which thrives on neglect--and survives blackspot!)

Now THAT is a Vegetable!

Just a photo of one of Mom's winter melons. Lots of winter melon soup in there!
(I know--it is actually a fruit....)

Winter Melon

My mother-in-law grows impressive winter melon in her north Florida garden. I think I'm too far North--but some fruit did set. It's just too late in the year for them to attain a generous size--obviously a vegetable for higher zone numbers!

More Yard Work

It's that time of year. Hazy, glittering, cool day. I cut down bee balm today, as well as some of the spent goldenrod, and trimmed out the butterfly bush. I hate to take down anything that is still blooming, because there are still a few bees, and they seem to be eager for nectar and stiff from the cold!
One nice thing--the turtlehead (Chelone glabra) has bloomed in my little rain garden, and I am posting a photo of it.

Fall Yard Work

I cut down the butterfly weed pods in the front today. I saw a Monarch butterfly last week on them, but it was 48oF this am when I got up, and I think the butterfly weather is pretty much gone! I love the Asclepias tuberosa seed pods--maybe even more than I love the gaudy orange flowers. The heath aster is still looking lovely--generous arches of tiny white flowers, and they like drought! Two great "weeds".