"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Best September ever?

September has been an extremely busy month for us.  We had back to school for both girls, ballet for the Littlest Gardener, junior high cross country started for Sweet Pea, then Sweet Pea decided she also wanted to play soccer again, the Littlest Gardener's birthday, a visit from the in-laws, our anniversary and planning for Sweet Pea's upcoming 13th birthday on October 2nd.  I was beginning to feel some withdrawl from the garden.  We had a lot of wind and rain the last few days which made the garden a huge mess.  Looking at the front yard every time I went in and out of the house and not being able to do much in it was making me anxious to get my hands in the dirt.
Today I got to spend 2 1/2 hours cleaning, raking, planting, digging, sweeping and raking and was it ever great.  I was able to clean out the pond, the back deck and do a bit of cleaning in the front yard.  The sun was out with a light breeze, perfect for gardening. 
This is the first autumn we've gotten to enjoy our new front yard.  It has been so fun watching it change throughout the seasons.  I think even with the crazy busyness of life this month that I'm still enjoying the garden in the front more than I ever have since we moved in 12 1/2 years ago.

I've been starting to add some fall color to the planters.

 I normally wait to pull out the fall decorations until after Sweet Pea's birthday at the beginning of October, but I was too excited to see how it would look.
Dahlias always make me happy this time of year.  They just bloom and bloom.

I finally got the Littlest Gardener to hold still long enough to take her picture by our tallest Sunflower 'Mammoth'.  She was having fun riding her bike as fast as she could in circles in the driveway.

Kale 'Red Russian' growing quickly in the raised bed.

Black-eyed Susans are another September favorite.  The Dragonfly seems to like them too.

I was surprised to find all these flowers on 'Julia Child'.

Aster 'Professor Kippenburg'

Salvia 'Black and Blue' just came up a few weeks ago and is now blooming.  I was quite surprised to see it.

Re-do of a wine barrel planter on the driveway.  There is also a Barberry behind the Carex 'Prairie Fire'.

 For some reason I'm drawn to this angle and keep taking pictures of it.  I'm always surprised by how much is still blooming in September.  This year with all the new garden space there's more than ever.

Other than a few windy and rainy days in the last week, we've had absolutely gorgeous weather.  Hopefully it will hold for awhile longer so that I'll be able to do more work out in the yard soon.
All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

35 comments:

  1. Beautiful shots. I really like your blue pots on the front porch.

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  2. So many pretty things. It sounds like you enjoy the busyness of your family. I did as well, and miss it very much.

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  3. September has been the busiest month for me as well between the kids starting school and other various activities! It is so nice to get out in the garden for some peace and sunshine between the fun and craziness :)

    Your Mammoth sunflower is amazing! (I won't shame my clay garden by mentioning how tall my supposedly giant sunflowers grew this year.) I also love the planter with the little birdhouse in it - so cute!

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  4. I love that blue and black salvia, and it looks the plants will still be there longer. And the Littlest Gardener is so cute too!

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  5. Your "Julia Child" is looking better than mine. It did well the first year, and since then, not so much. Too much disease for me to keep it. Your dahlia is beautiful! I love your front garden!

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  6. Catherine, your autumn garden looks very lovely! I especially like your dahlias, the cluster of Julia Child flowers and the blue planter by your front door. I always feel inspired to work in my garden after I have read your blog! Thanks!
    Christina

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  7. Here's hoping the excellent weather holds up for you. It looks wonderful!

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  8. It all looks very very nice, but I especially like your dahlias. So pretty!

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  9. Ya'll have been busy. Your fall decorations are looking good. The littlest gardener is so cute and your gardens look rather happy!

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  10. Dear Catherine ~ Your front garden is a work of art and a joy to behold. I know this has given you so much enjoyment this first year, and it will only get better.

    Love your fall decorations.

    Enjoy your lovely weather ~ FlowerLady

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  11. Gode billeder.
    Hvor har du endnu mange smukke blomster i din have.
    Tak for kigget.

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  12. Your gardens look fabulous - and WOW that's a big sunflower!!!

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  13. Great fall decorations, is that a traditional thing to do? Your garden is wonderful & inspiratonal, thanx heaps!

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  14. You have so much going on both in your life and the garden! Looks awesome for this time of year. I say pull out the decorations when ever you feel like it. hee hee...

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  15. The front garden and your containers look great. We have had a lot of rain and expecting cooler weather. That Julia Child rose is beautiful.

    Eileen

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  16. Oh I love the pink dahlia with the yellow centers Catherine. So pretty. Your containers are looking so pretty too. I love the cranberry colored pansies. Sounds like the girls are keeping busy. (Mom & Dad Too). Julia Child has such a pretty color of yellow. I like how it starts out bold yellow and changes to a softer yellow. And not Black spot! The leaves on mine look awful this year.Have a great week.

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  17. I love those asters and the black eyed susans. Julia Child is gorgeous. Littlest Gardener is precious. Dancing/ballet - ooohhh I bet she is loving it. Beautiful September gardens Catherine.

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  18. Your front porch is just beautiful! What wonderful fall decorations.

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  19. As usual your garden is looking great. Wish you'd send some rain down our way. I can see why you're drawn to that last photo, there's so much to see in it; the scarecrow is adorable and that sunflower next to him looks like something out of a movie.

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  20. I know what you mean. I have had a mad September and am only now getting time in the garden. At first I was overwhelmed by how much needed doing but head down and I have started to see an improvement.

    I think your garden looks lovely as ever and I love your fall decorations, they arent a tradition we share

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  21. Catherine, look at you all ready for fall! I have to trip over some winter squash stacked up on the porch, but I haven't managed to really decorate yet.

    Your Kale reminds me that I need to get ours started. I love the Red Russian winter kale, it's so prolific, and easy to cook with. I wish I had your Rudbeckias though, after weeks of leaving them alone, the deer beheaded mine. Love the winebarrel too, the bird house is adorable.

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  22. Incredible colors! Your yard looks great

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  23. September certainly looks great in your garden. The littlest gardener is the cutest part.

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  24. Isn't it funny how we can be drawn over and over to the same spot - I will find that I've taken a lot of photos of one area without realizing it.
    I am drawn to that Aster and the black and blue salvia, stunners in the garden.

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  25. How cute is the Littlest Gardener, in front of that huge sunflower! And your dahlias are such pretty colors.

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  26. Littlest Gardener is adorable! Your garden is amazing. Hasn't this weather been wonderful? I guess it's supposed to rain here on Sunday though. My garden really needs it but I'm not looking forward to it.

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  27. Beautiful photos - I especially like the last one with the scarecrow! Kelli

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  28. Oh good grief Catherine, just when I thought your garden couldn't get any more beautiful and perfect!! lol :)

    not sure whose growth surprised me more - the sunflower or LG. how can that be your baby???! she's so grown and precious!

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  29. Look at the size of that sunflower, wow.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  30. Wow, you have been busy! Your garden looks great even if you haven't had time to be out in it. I've never seen a sunflower that tall. I would say it's aptly named! Pretty aster too. I've been trying to add more of those to my garden for late season color. Maybe roses like this time of year?? Mine are all getting new blooms & buds too. Julia Child is very pretty. I hope the good weather holds. It's been very warm here but I know it can't last.

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  31. Your family's activities sound much like ours this fall - soccer, dance, bike riding. And I've not been doing much in the garden, oh well! Enjoy the last of the season's blooms.

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  32. You are so lucky to have a perfect September! We normally do, but this year it's been chilly and rainy. Ugh! My rudbeckia has been finished blooming for a long time now. I think it blooms in June! Weird, right?

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  33. Lovely blog!!! Beautiful photos!!

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  34. Wow, look at those awesome sunflowers, both tall and shorter! I love those dahlias. I wasn't going to plant more next year, but now that I see the butterflies enjoying them, I think I'll grow at least one or two plants. Maybe this will be the year I keep some roots/tubers over the winter.

    Do your hummingbirds like to eat from your black and blue salvias?

    Your littlest gardener sure looks like a sweetie.

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