Yesterday was one of those gorgeous "Indian Summer" days. My seventeen year old son and I spent the entire afternoon outside cleaning up and working in the yard. Since we homeschool we can pick our own fall break days and yesterday was a perfect day for no school!
My son enjoys physical labor and he was such a huge help to me! He mowed the grass, did the edging and weed eating. He removed everything from the front porch and we cleaned it well. We moved a huge grass that had grown too close to the air conditioner unit. (That was a chore for sure!). We removed three trees. We had several small crabapple trees that just were not performing well at all. I'm not sure why but most of the crabapple trees around here looked diseased this year. I did a lot of weeding and removing annuals that the freeze had killed. I moved three 'Knockout' roses and a few perennials that needed a little more space to spread.
I was able to get all of the new flowers planted. The sedum 'Autumn Joy', immediately attracted the attention of a cloudless sulphur butterfly and some honey bees.
The Asian lady beetles are very annoying right now. The farmers are harvesting the soybeans and corn and have stirred them up. They try to get into the house and they land on us whenever we go outside. I've heard that they stink, but I've never noticed.
I removed most of the cosmos yesterday, the few remaining flowers were attracting the hover flies today. The hover fly looks like a bee and is a very beneficial insect to have in the garden.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of a good day in the garden on a gorgeous autumn day. To top it off with a hardworking son with a good attitude and helpful spirit is absolute bliss.
Doesn't it make you feel good to get all that accomplished. Lucky you to have such a good helper. I love the bee photo. Those sweat bees appear to be the only bee around our house now too. Those annoying beetles are everywhere.
ReplyDeleteGreat autumn photos Robin. Your Japanese Maple is just lovely. Mr. Praying Mantis is posing nicely for you!
ReplyDeleteIt does feel good to get some of the garden work done. I did a lot yesterday, hoping I am not too stiff- I keep stretching!
I love all the colors of autumn here, Robin. My, but you certainly accomplished a lot yesterday! How lucky you are to have such a willing son to help out, too. Glad you were able to take advantage of the beautiful weather we had...it's raining once again here, so I'm sure you are getting it, too. I keep thinking of that old saying, "Make hay while the sun shines"--certainly true this fall:)
ReplyDeleteKudos to you and your son, (by the way, can I borrow him?) Your fall displays are gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteA son such as you have is a great blessing.I am almost tired just from reading about all your work.The pictures are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Sounds like a perfect fall day. Have been busily doing garden clean up here, too. Love your cosmos shots!
ReplyDeleteSpectacular fall mosaic. I really enjoy visiting your blog. It's a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Robin, there really isn't anything like the feeling of a good day in the garden! I love the hover bee and cosmos photos...the picatee coloring of the flowers are delightful. gail
ReplyDeleteBoy - that is a day's worth of hard work. Isn't it amazing how invigorating a crisp Fall day can be to put you in the mood for nesting and cleaning. And great that you have such a good helper. Must make you feel good in so many ways. Your Sedum is so pretty and happy with your fall weather.
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