Two cold fronts moved through northern Colorado in late October, causing temperatures to plunge down into the single digits a couple of nights and bringing several inches of snow. Which means that the growing season here at the Vintage homestead is now officially at an end. Stick season has arrived.
The garden this year, as in all years, had its share of ups and downs.
Let’s start with the downs. The cable company tore up several beds in late winter/early spring to run a new cable through my property. We lost several plants in that debacle.
In mid-May a major snowstorm (complete with record breaking cold temps) zapped flower buds on several trees and shrubs, causing a dearth of spring blooms. This was most notable on the Redbud tree, a usually reliable performer.
The bunnies were especially ravenous this year, and caused far more destruction in the garden than I have ever seen before. While the Vintage doggies did their part by trying to run these furry bastards down, the bunnies would not be deterred. I was forced to put up fences and spray bunny repellant in hard hit areas all summer long.
The heat and drought were brutal this year. It seemed like the entire state was on fire in August, and the smoke from the fires would get so thick down here on the plains that several times streetlights came on in the middle of the day.
I suspect I lost a few plants to the hot, dry weather. I won’t know for sure until next year.
The two packets of seeds I spread in spring (California poppies and love-in-a-mist) managed to produce 3 whole plants.
Ok, that’s enough of the downs, let’s review the ups:
The Vintage garden was a blessing for both MrsVintage and I during the pandemic. To be able to get outside and work in the yard was therapeutic for both of us.
The borders looked pretty good all season long, in spite of the heat and lack of moisture.
I finally overhauled the bird-bath garden, a project I’ve been meaning to do for a couple of years. I’m excited to see how it matures and fill in next year..
MrsVintage spearheaded the overhaul on the side of the house. The desert garden we put in easily shrugged off the heat and drought with aplomb.
This year I have been taking pictures of the garden on a weekly basis so I can get a better idea of what parts of the garden might need some tweaking next year. Below you can see the ebb and flow of the long border during the growing season as seen from the patio (click on the pictures to embiggen):
What were the lows in your garden this year? What about the highs?
Even though winter hasn’t even arrived yet, it’s not to early to start thinking about next year. What plans do you have for your garden when spring arrives?
