seasonal changes

October 13, 2016

Fall is progressing nicely here in Loveland, OH. We have had some unusually warm days, well into October. That is likely why there are still some peppers holding on.

peppers hanging on into the fall

The average first frost date here is sometime in October, tending towards the latter part of the month.

The garlic has been planted and covered with straw.

garlic is planted and covered for the winter

I am hopeful for a good crop come next summer. I do have some lingering concerns about having planted it in containers, which sit on the deck. Should I move the containers to sit directly on the ground to reduce the risk of freezing soil? Hmm. Maybe I will do an experiment and move one container to the ground and leave the other on the deck and see how each fares. Have you guys had any luck with overwintering garlic in containers?

It is nice to see fall flowers, such as the butterfly bush in the top photo. So pretty! I’ve decided against mums this year, simply because they look so beautiful when they first come home with me, then when the initial flowers die off, there never seems to be a second wave, even though I spend the time to deadhead. So, by the time we get any visitors out to our place, the mums are looking pretty sad. That said, fall decorations this year will consist of pumpkins and straw bales and scarecrows.

I am starting to read “The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener” by Niki Jabbour (Twitter @nikijabbour) with the intention to keep extending the growing season. If she can do it in Nova Scotia, well, that’s good enough for me.

Hope you are having a great autumn, or spring as the case may be!


No Comments

  • Reply gardentourist October 13, 2016 at 7:21 pm

    When I tried to grow garlic in containers I had problems with drainage, but eventually I had the desired pink dotting among rose shrubs. Enjoy!

    • Reply thewoodlandgardener October 13, 2016 at 9:56 pm

      Thanks! I will let you know how it went, come next spring 🙂

  • Reply tippysmom2 October 13, 2016 at 9:45 pm

    I have not tried to raise garlic in containers, so am no help to you. We are enjoying cooler weather here in TN too. It’s almost too cool, considering it seemed to go from 90 to 70 for highs overnight.

    • Reply thewoodlandgardener October 13, 2016 at 9:55 pm

      That is a big swing in temps! We’ve had crazy ups and downs and back up again.

  • Reply Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog October 14, 2016 at 12:17 am

    It was cold here in Illinois last night! Not as many insects out and about today! (IMHO, on the ground would be much better for both!)

    • Reply thewoodlandgardener October 14, 2016 at 3:02 am

      Tom – I am inclined to agree with you. What part of Illinois are you in, if you don’t mind me asking?

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