Howdy SW Peeps!

Well, I haven't done much with my raised garden bed for a few months. Decided not to hassle with the summer garden and just let it be. I did get out to clear the bed a couple weeks ago but got sidetracked with other property improvements. I'm hoping I'll get it in at some point, but I won't be too disappointed giving the bed, and me, a rest until Spring. IDK, I just take every day as it comes along anymore.

Anyways, just checking in with my fellow SW gardeners! Hoping each of you are enjoying our cooler weather. I've been busy clearing weeds, laying flagstone, and planting some perimeter oleander and Texas Sage to replace my deceased plum trees. The saving grace on those planting was the wire was in place....I'll take every blessing! The fig is doing well as are the pines and poplar from bygone Springs.

Oh, on an even happier note, the rosemary planted in Spring made it through the summer and I do believe that one planter area has finally rooted! It's incredible just how many times that bed was planted over the years to only find it wiped out from the rabbits. Fingers crossed, I think I may have finally beat those critters this time! If all six rosemary grow to be big and strong, it will really fill that bed beautifully!

I planted eight three-gallon oleander on the perimeter this fall with six one-gallon also finding a home. I've got 3 more babies to plant and working on breaking ground for them as the other plantings were in easy loam soil. If it all works out, the perimeter of the property will have a beautiful backdrop after a few years.

With our weather finally starting to cooperate, I just want to send encouragement to each of you!! It's been a long and dry summer, but now is the time to make dreams come true! I'm rooting for you!



Stay dirty, my friends!

Hi Gina, we're still around. For most of us it was a long, hard summer with too much heat and too much wind. It was hard doing much outdoors. I spent a lot of time with my indoor plants and my greenhouse plants. They are all doing very well, and looking better than my outdoor plants.

I'm a newbie to these forums - am up in sw Colorado, four corners area, 7000'. We've had 4 mornings of freezing or just above. Bummer. My vines have given up, also tomatoes even though covered. Zinnias are gone, silver lace vine, hibiscus, borage, squash, purple robe locust tree, all gone. Days have been in the high 70's, which is nice, but these cold mornings are depressing. Winter is on it's way!

Hi, and Welcome, Judith! That is a nice area! You are a bit higher than I am. I'm at 6500 ft. We haven't had any freezes yet. I think our low has only been 49 so far. I have all of my tender plants either in the Greenhouse or my home.

Hi Miss Karen! So nice to chat again. I know you took the summer months to recuperate. I'm pretty sure you did and now your interior garden has benefited. Slow and steady wins the race, Sweetheart. Good job!!

Hi Judith!. We are at 3500' so although our morning are glorious at 65+/-, we don't expect any freeze anytime soon. I'm sure winter is upon you as we have family in Colorado Springs who had snow not too long ago! I can't even imaging having snow in September! We had a late snow fall (one day) last March, but the wind chill caused enough havoc. I lost a gum tree that I had just purchased. $50 and the effort of auguring the hole (plus back fill) down the drain. The good news is when the replacement tree comes around, the hole is ready! Got to find the silver linings in the SW desert.

Unloaded the red rock dust from the bed of the truck today. So happy it's Friday! Time to exhale, rest, and let next week unravel at it own pace.

Happy Gardening, SW peeps!

Your new flagstone pathway looks wonderful! When we were first married we laid a flagstone patio at the first home we owned. We just saw that home for sale online, and the patio is still there 55 years later! My husband also built special wardrobe closets in the master bedroom, and they are still there and being used!

Karen,
That's amazing isn't it? I'm glad your hard work carries on. Not too many peeps will pull out flagstone or a custom build wardrobe.

It was neat to see our old work carrying on. My husband has built neat things everywhere we've lived. He just built a special windscreen to shelter our spa from the winds. Last winter there were nights we couldn't use it due to high winds. They pushed the water right out of the spa!