The weather is gorgeous right now, sunny but cool, no bugs, no harsh wind…perfect for some of the harder chores that are too uncomfortable on hot, humid days. I’m enjoying turning my compost pile, collecting the finished brown, fluffy compost and raking it into my bare vegetable beds. I’ve done some weeding. There’s tons to do in my perennial flower bed, but my vegetable beds aren’t too bad at the moment.
     I’ve transplanted some lavender to what I hope will be a warmer corner of the herb garden. I’m adding cedar rails where I need to build up the edges of my raised beds. I’ve raked up some of the apples under the trees on my front lawn. I’ve pulled out some of the periwinkle where it was escaping into a woodlot. The stuff is invasive and a threat to wildflowers, so I’ve turned off it.
     I’ve been stacking firewood and breaking dead brush into bushel baskets as kindling. I’ve even raked some sawdust and bark and deposited it where I need fill to be able to ride the tractor mower.
     These lovely days somewhat make up for the poor summer we had. Are you doing any fall gardening?

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     Erin Horticultural Society held its garden tour on Saturday, and my sister Barbara, who’s a member of the Society, treated me to a ticket. It took most of the day to visit six gardens located in the village of Erin and the surrounding countryside. There was a good variety of gardens, from formally groomed small spaces to rambling properties with a pond or a river running through. Each owner was attentive and generously guided us around, patiently answering our questions, which must have been asked repeatedly by many.

     Our favourite garden was one that looked like an English cottage garden. With hardly any lawn, it was crammed full of colourful blooming plants and had stone and brick walkways winding invitingly through it. It was a garden to explore and was utterly charming, but we both recognized how much work it would take.

     Because I’m an animal lover, I was delighted to see a pet crow in one of the gardens. Erin Montgomery is a bird expert and is involved in rehabilitating wild birds, but Russel (Crowe – get it?) cannot fly and so cannot live in the wild. I was able to have him perch on my bare arm and stroke his back.

     The real revelation was seeing Erin handle him. She brought him close to her chest and he laid his head against her, positively snuggling up for her petting. Who knew a bird could adore a human so?

     I discovered that Erin broadcasts a daily program on Erin Radio, appropriately enough, and now I have an appointment to give her an interview about Escarpment Views! You never know where you’ll meet fascinating people who can contribute to your life.

     Which garden tours do you follow, or what’s your favourite garden style?

Tags: gardening, nature | 3 Comments »