First Frost!

The gardens changed a lot during the 9 days I was away. And, this morning it was -2°C at sunrise. Frost!

While I was away, Ted ripped out all of the warm-weather crops like tomatoes and beans. What's left are ones that can tolerate some cold. The beans on the left have a prized spot next to the greenhouse, so they will be OK for a week or two.

And, do you see the rye grass coming up nicely in the empty spots?

There are maybe 2 dozen blueberries left.

This part of the garden's rye grass mulch is doing surprisingly well. As soon as Ted scattered the seeds a couple of weeks ago, flocks of swamp sparrows decided that our garden was their restaurant of choice. It looks like they left us some seeds. Every time Ted rips out vegetable plants that are done for the year, he scatters more rye seeds. Can you see the seeds in the bottom left quadrant?

I really should plant more beech trees. Their fall colours are wonderful.

Around the pond, a few mushroom varieties popped up. These cool brown ones....

... and I think these are going to be stinkhorns....

... and this tiny one. Compare it to the pine needles all around it. I almost missed this one. I thought it was some trash.

What a treasure trove of mushrooms!

Around the front of the house, our old dependable dahlias are in their glory. I think they are sheltered by the surrounding trees & hedge so the frost didn't bother them.

Finally, the dahlias I bought last year are not being eaten....

.... well.... maybe just a little bit eaten.

Nothing can be perfect.