Xmas in October

The so-called xmas cactus that I obtained during last year's spinning guild holiday party is blooming. According to this site, there are several varieties of this houseplant; mine may be a Thanksgiving cactus. I don't try to force it to bloom at a particular time, so I'm happy with whenever it chooses.

Holiday cactus

Closer

Closer yet

I'm a little shocked at how healthy this plant is, as my houseplants suffer from benign neglect. This past week each of them received a layer of Black Kow composted manure, though, as a couple of them look a bit peaked.

That's what is going on inside. Outside, it was a different matter. Last weekend's rain softened the earth enough that the tulip tree lost its grip. I think the chain I wrapped around it helped prevent the house from taking a direct hit. The only damage was a small tear in one screen.

Timber!

Missed the bird bath

I had already made arrangements for its removal, but was probably fairly low on their priority list. Once I called to tell them the tree was leaning against the house, they came out the next day and took care of it.

All gone!

Relocated bird feeders

I removed the fencing along the rain garden (and the flamingos) before work began. Consequently, the view is more open not only from the tree's absence, but the fence as well. I may leave it that way (if the dog stays out of the rain garden).

Outside view

Indoor view

With the tree gone, the bird feeders can be closer to the house. We'll see how that works out. I'm not feeding them yet; that usually happens around Thanksgiving.

The cooler temps have left the yellow jackets by the compost bin less active, so I managed to clear out the weeds in that corner of the yard. This morning there was frost on the grass as well as the roofs, but not a killing frost yet. A drive through the countryside revealed that soybean and corn harvests are under way across the area. It can't stay summertime forever (thank goodness!)

Planning ahead

I am not very happy with how aromatic aster grows when left to its own devices. I moved one plant since it was flopping all over the place, decided to let another take over its bed as the bed is confined by sidewalk, driveway, and lawn. A third plant received an experimental pruning in June, to about 6" (I think). It looks more like a mound than a sprawling behemoth. So next year, all the aromatic aster will get cut back in June.

This book has helpful advice like the above. (My edition has been superceded by newer ones.) Goldenrod, at least the 7-8' variety on the south side of the house, may get the June treatment, to keep it from flopping. The queen-of-the-prairie definitely needs to be left alone, though, or it won't bloom. I will let its rain garden sister plants, meadow rue and joe-pye, grow as tall as they want as well, even if they need some staking.

About the only plants blooming this time of year are the asters and the pineapple sage (Salvia elegans). Today we are receiving some much needed rain, an inch so far. I mowed leaves for the first time this season, but they had fallen from lack of moisture. Most trees around here are still green, although the sugar maples are ablaze.

Fall is bustin' out all over

It's that time of the year, when the common milkweed lets loose with its fluff-carrying seeds. This batch should help repopulate the milkweed forest in the meadow.

We did have a light frost this past week, the kind that frosts the rooftops but that is about it. Definitely not a killing frost. Still, I dragged in the houseplants that have been summering on the deck.

My over-the-range microwave starting making zapping noises, so now I'm afraid to use it. I priced a new one - $300 plus $195 to install. I have to pay for Beau's teeth cleaning first. Meanwhile, I'm judging whether I really need a microwave at all. The function I miss the most so far is the timer.

Speaking of Beau, he has almost forgiven me for Friday's trip to the vet. At least he doesn't run away as soon as he sees me. They had to pull three teeth, so his mouth is sore. He still seems wobbly from the anestesia, or maybe from not eating. He's picky, likes just his Purina cat chow, won't even eat people food. I put out a Friskie's "soup" in case he gets hungry enough to try it.

Other excitement in the neighborhood was a police raid on the next block, at an Airbnb. It occurred in the middle of the night, and I slept through it. I didn't even know we had an Airbnb nearby, even though I frequently walk the dog past that house.

Speaking of Clio, a neighbor dog that bit her a few months ago took another run at us the other day. If I see "Leo" in the yard, we turn around. This past Thursday I didn't see him, and we weren't even in front of his house when he appeared out of nowhere. No injuries this time, but I did report it to Animal Control. Today, in a different neighborhood, a German Shepherd that usually just watches us walk by decided to bark and lunge even though we were on the other side of the street. I'm beginning to feel like I can't walk my dog anywhere safely.

Endless summer

The first frost date for my area used to be October 6. Now, according to the Farmer's Almanac, it is October 16. According to WeatherBug, we will not be experiencing any frosts in the near future. This weekend the temps are in the 80's. *sigh*

I owe an apology to the pineapple sage. Almost every time I look out the window, there is a hummingbird enjoying the nectar. And the two plants have LOTS of blossoms. It's a good thing their small pots are heavy.

I have one estimate for removing the dead tulip tree, may give up on the other guys I contacted. Apparently, they are just too busy to bother.

Otherwise, not much is happening in the yard. Besides the pineapple sage, the goldenrod and asters are blooming and attracting pollinators. That's what they are there for.