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

• Claire Austin English rose bush is in bloom again. early October

• Planted a cover crop in the potato field which includes common vetch and rye. It’s taking off in all the rain. early October
• Pulled up beans, zucchini, other squash, and cukes. Emptied tomato pots with Son’s help. mid October
• Sunflower patch is winding down, but not before it produced plenty of multi-flowered beauties. The below four blossoms came from one seed. mid October

• Replaced impatiens with purple violas in the kitchen window boxes to see us through April. mid October
• Loving all the ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum and bringing plenty indoors. mid October

• Construction on tunnels for some of the raised beds has begun! late October
• Just a few leaves remain on the bigleaf maples. The last leaves to turn and drop are on the beautiful maples near the garden shed, the trio of birches, and the willow. late October
• Excited to have purchased a few bareroot Himalayan blue poppies from Far Reaches nursery in Port Townsend — enough to fill another wine barrel along the gravel stairway. late October
• A few chilly nights (but no killing frost) means the hostas have yellowed. late October