a fall-yardwork, indian summer weekend

Well, enough of vacationing and ignoring responsibilities! I've been neglecting my yard for weeks now, so this past weekend I knew I was long overdue for getting back into it. It was beautiful Indian summer weather here in New England, perfect for the much-needed clearing, cleaning, freshening up, and transplanting I had to do to get things ready for winter and looking like fall around here.



The big thing was the window boxes. I took summer stuff out and replaced with cranberry colored mums, purple verbena, and green kae. I can't remember the name of this lacy white trailing plant, but it lasted all summer and was still looking good, so I kept it for some lightness and freshness. As soon as it starts turning, I'll replace it with more kale—or with a pumpkin maybe?


I cleaned my tools and put away pots and products on the potting bench. You can see I still have the topsoil laying out because I still have grass to plant. I know now is prime time, but the lawn is my absolute least favorite landscaping task, and therefore sowing new grass seed is still on my list. Anyone want to help?


Goodbye, peonies. I cut them back, I think a bit early since we're supposed to wait for a hard frost, but they were looking so terrible and dead I could not resist. I hope I didn't ruin anything and that they do okay next year.


Bleeding hearts got cut back too. So much better than looking at all that excess dead foliage.


I cleaned up a lot of dead foliage from the tomatoes, but I left them in because there are still some fruits hanging on. We'll see if they turn.


The parsley and beans are still going strong. This parsley has come up again and again this year. So satisfying to see it thriving—and to chop it up fresh for dinner!


And my favorite task this weekend: transplanting my second climbing rose to this lattice fence. It doesn't look too happy (understatement) to have been moved, but I'm hoping it'll perk up and settle nicely into its new home before winter. And I can't wait to see these climbing roses take off up these lattice panels next spring and summer. Planted amidst the mulch in front of the second panel is pachysandra, which I'm also hoping will fill out and form a nice groundcover, in lieu of all that mulch.

I still have lots of projects left that I'd love to do for fall, especially after seeing all the great autumn inspiration from my guest bloggers recently. Maybe this weekend I'll turn my attention indoors? I'm really feeling the need to spruce up and freshen up inside too! What are you working on lately?

7 comments

Karen said...

I wish I was done with all of that. I did my winterizing of the front yard but still have tons of things to cut back in the backyard.

Giulia Doyle said...

I still need to do this, but it's been too warm. I also want to plant bulbs so I need a bit more cold.
Regarding your tomatoes - you can pick them now and keep them in a paper bag, they'll ripen over the next couple of weeks even if they are really green now.

René said...

Your gardens look so happy Casey. Lucky you to have cut & some again parsley. Mine disappeared. I usually plant enough for us and the caterpillars, but maybe not enough this time. Your window box is perfect for fall.

Ashley said...

Oh, these scenes from your garden make me wish I had an outdoor space of my own (even a teeny, tiny one!). Your window boxes are great, and I love the idea of inserting a pumpkin or two in them.

Anonymous said...

I love your trellis and want to do this in my yard. Can u give me the dimensions and directions to make these?

Mona said...

I too love your trellises! Did you make them or buy them? Do you have instructions or where to purchase?

casey at loft and cottage said...

Hi Mona, we made our trellises and I wrote a bit about our progress here https://www.loftandcottage.com/2011/08/outdoor-project-in-progress.html but really never did a DIY instruction post about it, which I should have done! There is some good information here though (https://lindsaystephenson.com/blog/2010/07/diy-privacy-screens-how-to-by-aubrey.html/) about how to go about building your own. Good luck!
Casey