Fall.

It's an incredible day for early October in Maine. We're being treated to some summer like weather, with bright blue skies and temperatures in the 70s. It's unheard of for us, but we'll take it. Several nights ago, it dipped down into the low 30s and everyone started grumbling (the humans, not the critters). Tonight, the windows will be wide open and stay that way for the next few days. Beautiful. Not the best for growing thick wooly coats, but there's a long winter ahead for that.

jelly?

My grapes did really well this year, and it was exciting to harvest them this morning. The red ones did a lot better than the greens, and the whole lot of them were plagued by some sort of beetle or worm for the latter part of August. While the leaves look pretty ratty, the grapes look luscious. My first time out with grapes, even though I planted the vines about three years ago. I think I am going to plant more and build a proper trellis for them to grow on. The beds are all overgrown and need a good weeding before the hard frost comes. The garlic is ready to go in the ground - am thrilled to have a nice variety of hard-neck to plant this year. The word was that Fedco sold out of garlic at the Common Ground Fair, so I'm happy to have procured a pound of Red Russian and a half pound of Philips. I will also be putting in some of my own from this year, some of which is another variety.

dreamy fall day

The leaf peepers are out en force this weekend, and the traffic is heavy due to the holiday and peak of the season for foliage. It's a weekend to put gardens to bed, trim back brown stalks and shriveled vines, prepare the beds for the winter and pull out the socks. Drop the storms soon and prepare for the cold months to come.