First Frost
I can think of few better examples of an ending being a beginning than a first frost.
As gardeners we don’t want our beautiful annuals or delicious vegetables to die, and as human beings we hate to lose anything good. And yet, loss forces us to move on.
The frost that hit last week – October 23rd! – put an end to most of the annuals and many of my perennials. I must admit that as I looked at the thermometer – 30 degrees – my first response was not sadness at the likely loss of my plants, but excitement. As the sun began to rise I grabbed my camera and went out to catch the magic of frost on foliage.
Only the Scaevola sailed through and continue to provide annual color in my garden, and the Geranium ‘Rozanne’ remains flower-filled and spectacular. As usual, the frost looked like sugar on the edges of the Heuchera leaves. This alone is a reason to plant as many of the multi-colored cultivars as possible
But most of the garden is filled with wilted, grey foliage that will soon be removed and hauled to the compost pile. First frost means a fall workout for gardeners as we cut things down and pull them out of the garden. First frost means about 240 days until more fresh basil, and about 275 until homegrown tomatoes. First frost means it’s time to focus inward and to begin dreaming and scheming about future gardens.
Many Heucheras get more vibrant in color when the temperatures cool. Add to that the sparkly frost and you have magic.
October 28th, 2008 at 3:53 PM
HI: C.L. This is my first time on your blog, found it interesting with a lot of information available. Enjoyed myself reading your post and looking it over. Winter is upon us again and Jack Frost is doing his thing. Most of are gardens are fairly new and need to be improved on to provide winter enjoyment. We are working at that.
Great site will be back.
There are two of us at JWLW, John and Liza, the one doing the post or comment usually signs it so you know who is there.
John
October 29th, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Thanks for stopping by, John. I hope that you’ll visit my gardens again and let me know what you’re doing in your gardens. I too have new gardens – it’s both exciting and a bit overwhelming, isn’t it? Once gardens are of a certain age we can enjoy letting the things that do well take an active role in making the landscape what it is. When it comes to many plants in my gardens I’m starting small, and this has advantages and disadvantages… I’ll write more about his in the future.
May your gardens always bring you joy,
C.L.