For record keeping, what follows is a running list of garden activity I haven’t mentioned in journal posts:

• Added a few spots of color to take us through fall in perennial beds:  Heuchera /coral bells ‘Marmalade’,  Lobelia/cardinal flower ‘Fan Salmon’, Penstemon barbarous/beardtongue ‘Red Riding Hood.’ Also added a couple of Echinacea/coneflower ‘Ruby Star’ and more heliotrope to fill spots in wine barrels  where  plants had died before we drilled holes. early August
• Spotted first blooming sunflower in one of four plots of sunflowers. early August
• Noticed new buds and blooms on left (northern) half of raspberry trellis, meaning more fruit is on the way! Exciting to have everbearing raspberries. mid August
• Gladiola beds have sequenced through colors — first were the vibrant hues of purples and reds, and now the softer pastels are starting to bloom. mid August
• An abundance of zucchini and straightneck squash means we’re giving them away to all takers and also feeding them to the hens daily. mid August
• Volunteer pink peony poppies continue to surprise us in odd locations. Just one ruffled red peony poppy plant in fallow bed. late August
• The grapes are growing rapidly and remain a vibrant green. Just four clusters. late August