This was a first for me. All during September, I wasn’t home for a weekend, not once. As one can imagine, I was very much behind. During October, I plan to “clean. up.” I lost a few boxwoods in my Oasis Zones. That was predictable. Most all survived in the Transitional Zones. And I did lose a few hybrid azaleas in the Xeric Zones. I’m surprised at that, given they were planted 18 months ago. They will not be replaced. If you want to live in the Xeric Zones, you have to be independent of me. That’s the whole point!!!

Once September rolled around, The heat finally broke. I don’t typically mind the heat, but this year got to me. I miss summer. While not my favorite season for gardening, spring and fall win in this department. I love summer’s laziness. Of course, there is nothing lazy about weeding, but there is in reading and writing. At high heat, a couch and a reading good book or writing a chapter for a future book reins.

I turned in my book proposal. It took me a while to present an idea unique to anything. But I did, and now I’m waiting to see what they think. It’s all good stuff. I’ll begin writing it because there are good ideas. I will need to do thorough research; it will take a while, and I’m interested to see what more I can uncover.

By October 16t, I had the garden in a manageable state after months of neglect. Since I would be gone 11 days after the fair, I also took down herbaceous material that frost would soon take. I’d rather remove it sooner than deal with it when I return.

The Back 40 (ft) North to South