Friday, October 15, 2010

October Bloom Day- Zone 4 Garden

I Usually I do not have much of a garden by October 15th. Our freeze date being from September 15th to the 29th. A frost that killed the warm weather vegetables came on October 13th. We have had the most amazing fall. Yesterday was 78 degrees here in Hot Springs, South Dakota. I still have some roses blooming and a flower here and there.  Yesterday I brought in my little dwarf potted little citrus collection. I keep a kumquat, lime and lemon upstairs in the south facing window. They all flower and give fruit.
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The Amur Maple, Acer ginnala is the star of my fall garden.
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Snapdragons shine when other flowers are fading. They also are deer resistant. Note to self: plant more of them. Most of them survive winter and do some self-sowing.
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Eupatorium rugosum, 'Chocolate' was purchased late this summer.
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I have 3 of these 2ft tall perennials. Hollyhock Zebrina, Malva sylvestris.  Eleven years ago my dear friends Dell and Jim were married at our home. It was a mild October day and we went out in the garden to take pictures. This little hollyhock was in bloom.  Dell and Jim were happily married for a little over 9 years until Jim got cancer. We miss him and I will always remember him when I see this little flower.  Last weekend Dell and I had our annual yard sale.  She runs the sale and I make us lunch. Yard sales are a lot of work, but they are a time for Dell and I to spend together, and to help recycle. Dell laughs at me because most of my stuff I have priced for 25 cents. I want people to take something home that they can use. Sometimes we  put out a big free sign at the curb and most things disappear quickly.
Please visit Carol at May Dreams Garden for more Bloom Day Garden Posts

21 comments:

  1. I would not begin to know how to garden in zone 4! Snaps are the best aren't they?

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  2. Sounds like beautiful weather! Your pond is very similar to mine, I love the view of it through the tree. We have similar things blooming here too, but not your warm temps.

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  3. How lovely to have a warm fall Gloria. I love your pond shot and your Maple is a star color for certain. Your south window must be lovely. ;>)

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  4. Hi, Gloria!
    Your snaps are gorgeous and I'm thrilled to see we're growing the same little Zebrina, though I'm sorry to hear it is associated with the loss of a good friend. You're still basking in a warm autumn and so are we. I hope it lingers a wee bit longer. Happy Bloom Day!

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  5. Gloria, Your pond photo is fabulous. I would also price items low at a garage sale, the point is to get rid of stuff not make a ton of money. Take care and have a wonderful weekend.

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  6. Gloria, that leaf color looks almost unreal, beautiful! I have Chocolate Eupatorium also and I do appreciate it this time of year.

    Eileen

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  7. Things are still looking really nice at your place. We're all brown and frozen here unfortunately. The leaves didn't even turn good oranges, reds, or yellows this year. Sheesh.

    Christine in Alaska, for now

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  8. Wow, 78 degrees!
    That must have been a treat.
    Such a beautiful picture of the Maple by the water.

    Have a great weekend, Gloria!

    Annelie

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  9. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Pat and I have a eupatorium rugosum 'chocolate'. We forgot its name and you came to our rescue. jim

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  10. Hi, Gloria! Your fall sounds lovely. I don't miss freezes (although we have a couple light ones here in zone 9b). Your fall blooms look really nice. I think October is one of my favorite months in most zones.

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  11. Beautiful photos of a beautful garden! 78 in mid-October?! What a treat! When I lived in Rapid City when my kids were tiny the pools canceled swim lessons one summer because it was too cold/windy. Love the pictures of the maple tree and pond and the arbor!

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  12. Darla, Winter is probably my only challenge.

    Catherine, you pond is beautiful. I think more beautiful than mine!

    Carol, yes I do enjoy my upstairs window with the citrus growing and blooming. I always miss them when I take them out in the spring

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  13. Kate - I have some Echinops seeds for you. Is your mailing address the same as home address? Also please remember to save me some of those darling little hollyhocks that you had blooming last summer.

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  14. Garden of Threads - Yes, just clear out the house of things we don't need.

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  15. Eileen and Jim - The Eupatorium rugosum "chocolate" is lovely - I hope it will self-sow in my garden.

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  16. Christine B - might you be gardening in some warmer climate soon? I have been making a list of inside things to do....now if I can only make myself do them.

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  17. Annelie, the weather has continued nice! I planted a small junifer tree this afternoon.

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  18. Hi Kimberly - October is nice! Last year we had snow in October and we had a colder winter, so this weather is amazing. I try to get out in it everyday.

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  19. TS - yes, this weather has been crazy, warm and wonderful. The days are shorter, but you know the bright sun we get. Have a great week!

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  20. Your garden still looks so beautiful! enjoy these few last days / weeks of life before winter hits your northern world. Love the pond....don't have one of those yet. Yet.

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  21. Gloria your garden still looks lovely. So sorry to hear that the lovely Malva flower is associated with the loss of a love one for you. Enjoy the rest of Autumn.

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