October 31st

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 HAPPY HALLOWEEN…..!

Autumn

 

Autumn 🍂….also known as fall in North American English, is one of the four temperate seasons. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, in September or March. Autumn is the season when the duration of daylight becomes noticeably shorter. This is the time of year that officially transitions summer into winter. Along with the tree leaves changing color, the temperature grows colder, plants stop making food, animals prepare for the long months ahead, and the daylight starts growing shorter.

The sun is bright today, but carefully notice it is not as penetrating as the summer sun.  Nevertheless….very warming after all the heavy rain and dampish weather we received this week

Today we rest…..on The Lord’s Day. Contemplation, thoughtful behavior and pondering next steps.

Quiet, calm, and breathing in the day. A good walk is in order…… 

Wishing you all a lovely fall day!

Autumnal days come quickly,

like the running of a hound on the “moor.”

      Irish proverb

In Your Favor

My loving Father God,

Thank you for holding me together today. i needed you and you were there for me. Thank you for all your love even though I did not deserve it. Thank you for your faithfulness even in my suffering. 

To You alone Jesus, I now give You my humble thanks.

And now…. I lay me down to sleep, I pray you will keep me in perfect peace as I slumber, and bring me to new life in tomorrows morning light. Amen

 

Gardening tasks – post storm clean up

Good Morning Gardeners!

Our wonderful sun is peeking through a cloud cover. It’s dampish and chilly. We were out to get a coffee already. Everything is very wet, but it all looks so clean. A rain storm is a good thing. It cleanses and refreshes our garden. About Noon today would be a great time to be out in your yard. Pick up fallen sticks, branches and tree limbs. Notice that the heavy rain has most likely disturbed your garden beds. They may need an edging lift, additional mulch, and of course, weeds have a way of poking up. It’s the natural process after a hard rain. 

Please don’t be frustrated. It’s not the prettiest time now as our fall blossoms are wet and droopy, but if you look carefully you will still see some lovely natural moments in your garden. Under the ground your perennial plants are storing energy for next years growth. Now is the time to cut back all the way to the ground. We give you permission to “cut back” now. 

Flowering plants such as Iris, Day Lily’s, Peonies, Rose bushes, Mums and Hostas need to be taken down. Your garden yearns for clean up. Go for  it. You will be very happy you did, once “spring”’arrives.

Bulbs can be planted now. The wet soil will make it so much easier. The nurseries are well stocked with bulbs. Be sure and dig your holes deep enough. And use “blood meal” to deter the squirrels from roaming around in your garden to dig them up. They think they are nuts to eat. You must fool them. Ha!

We just heard on the news that tomorrow is going to be a beautiful day. You might choose to let things dry out just a little bit today. So visit the nursery today and purchase your mulch, and bulbs. Remember to enjoy the process,  because in January when you are indoors due to cold and our dormant season, you can think about how lovely things will look in the spring. It’s such a “hopeful” thought and gardeners are very hopeful people.

Well…. I’m now back to my coffee and a nice Saturday morning breakfast. You all have a fabulous Saturday. Most likely we’ll see you out and about next week.

“Contessa”

My Friday Devotional

All Saints Day, November 1st, is one of the most important Christian days of the year. We remember all those saints who have passed before us. The  “saints of God” are those who have led particularly holy lives. They serve as examples for us today, and many Christians believe that the saints intercede for us in heaven.

I give honor to all those in my family who have interceded to almighty God on my behalf. They held me up as an offering of mercy that the Lord would direct and protect my path. Thanks to their intercessions, I have been blessed with a life for which I am exceedingly grateful. All glory and honor to You O’ Lord for hearing their petitions, for me and my life, now and forever more.

*********

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee , by faith, before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever bless’d.
Alleluia, alleluia!

Gardening On Hold Today

Rain and then some…..which will totally kick off the process of the turning of the leaf colors. It’s the process of fall. One of the prettiest times of the year in Virginia.

Today we are home. Cooking, (lemon/garlic/spinach/mushroom/chicken pasta with fresh grated Parmesan) reading, planning our calendar for the remainder of 2021 and listening to some relaxing music. A little yoga routine is in order.  

We had planned on planting a couple small evergreen trees today. Nope!  And we need to transport forty bricks to a location that needs a solid stationary edging. 

There is always tomorrow….. today is a “free day” to do whatever we want. No schedule and no calls. Today is ours.

Our God often sends these times, to teach us to have reverence and take a pause, so as to appreciate all our abundance. We do! Amen.

 

Seed Growing

Do you aspire to grow vegetables from seed?  This catalog presents a Mineral VA based seed company and their somewhat old fashioned seed offerings.  We very much recommend. Even in the city? we can grow from seed. The number one component is a sunny spot. It can be small, therefore very manageable. Frankly if you are willing to get down on your hands and knees and amend your soil, no matter the size of the plot you consider, you can create a very nice little garden.

We recommend you start with three kinds of seed. Starting out small is the very best way to “give it a go.”

If you’d like to view this catalog, just send us a txt. (703-548-1882) We are most happy to drop it by your location.

“Contessa” 

– back cover –

 

Receive The Day

Today My Father God….,I just read an excerpt from a book I am studying. I offer you, what I already knew, but I wish for you to help me keep these truths in my walk today

When we  wake, we join in the network and the work that God is already doing. We don’t start the day, or even siege the day……we receive the day as a gift. Time is not ours to possess or control; it belongs to God, who invites us to participate as trustees of this most precious offering.

“Teach me….your way O Lord, for these are the desires of my heart.”

Amen.

Geranium ……..Tips

Geraniums had a tough start this year. We had so much rain that many of them in the garden centers looked so poorly.  But as the season went along and we dried out finally…..they did revive. This one photographed here didn’t really show its true colors until late summer. This bloom was an October bloom. But it finally pulled itself through and in fact is still blooming

For years we have saved our Geraniums. And so we will with this one.
Our technique is to continue to let it grow in its pot from now until the first frost. They often will give you some very special blooms up through all of the fall season. Their last show !!

Once you feel like it has given you its all, pull it out of the dirt. Lay it on some newspaper in the sun. As it dries out shake the dirt loose. Just let it dry out. Roots and all. The leaves will wither away. You will end up with a stalk and roots. Make sure you let it completely dry out. If we get a rainy day bring it in. Then put it out in the sun again. The real key is completely let it dry out.

When our first cold frost arrives place your Dead Geranium in a dry paper bag. Close up at the top. Put it in the back of an area in your house that is dark and chilly. Done…..

In late April, have a look. It’s probably already grown at least one new green leaf. It’s dormant phase is finished. Plant it in your favorite planter with new soil. Place in a sunny window. Water from the bottom once a week. You will see it will drink the water. It may only grow green until it’s warm enough to place it outside. Before you know it, your plant will revive itself. It’s a miracle. It will bloom and thrive all over again for you.
Try it. It’s simply amazing. We do it every year. It’s a challenge and so very rewarding. Usually it’s an even better specimen.

One year we forgot to bring it out. When we went to the bag, low and behold it not only had leaves, but it also had a bloom.

…..so very amazing.

“Contessa”

Gardening Friends

We are approaching cooler evenings, bringing some plants indoors,  adding some fresh soil to their tops, cutting perennials back, amending our garden beds with new soil, mulching and dealing with leaves and acorns like we do every year. This time of year we often get requests for some help. We are happy to pitch in and help. But last year you all called at the same time. Our personal goal is to help everyone. We know it’s hard to cut back a Rose Bush while it’s still blooming. We get it. But if you want us to help, please schedule some maintenance NOW.  We want to do our best to get around to everyone so if you can get on our calendar now, we’ll be sure to take care of your needs. Our last years Fall season was very busy up to December 15th ….. mainly because of warm weather. Looking ahead at weather predictions it appears to be a fairly consistent pattern again this year.

The Parkfairfax Forum Newsletter will come around the first week in November. It is a great reminder to all of you to get some time with us. We always look forward to hearing from you. Give us a call or txt if you need services. 

Thank you,

“The Garden  Contessa”
Txt is best – 703-548-1882