Shorter days, cooler temperatures, and the upcoming first frost do not mean the end of the growing season! The southern Maine coast is predominantly Zone 5 on the garden zone map. Our lowest temperatures dip down to –15 or –20 degrees, but not until later in the winter. September and October are still prime times for harvesting the bounty of the earth.
In addition to the fantastic arboreal display around us, there are lots of fall chores. It’s the perfect time of year to plant shrubs, trees and bulbs, tend fall vegetables, and improve your lawn. Root crops such as turnips, radishes, carrots, and beets are starting to show their rich colors. In my family, we always have hot buttered turnips at the Thanksgiving table, in addition to squash and pumpkin pie!
Chrysanthemums are the prettiest additions to the fall garden, but let’s not forget the golden face of the joyful sunflower. Beaming high on its green stalk, its seeds are delicious roasted and salted. Did you know they follow the path of the sun during the day? On a country drive, I saw a gorgeous field of bright sunflowers. They are breathtaking.
Here at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, we are celebrating the cornucopia of the fall garden harvest. Try hanging our Hooked Floral Wall art in a sunny spot. Our August Colors print showcases a cheery line of pretty flowers in old-fashioned tin watering cans. The black frame is chic and adaptable to any décor. The Earth Laughs in Flowers sign in soft sage green will remind you of spring, especially if you hang it near your favorite window. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the author of this wonderful quote, wrote an essay titled, “Nature” in 1836. He believed in the power of the natural world to overcome the sorrows of mankind, and thus became a philosopher of the highest sort.
Lovely thoughts to contemplate in your Autumn garden!
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