GardenBook

The process begins of moving the plants around to locations that will best facilitate their winter survival. Inside and up against protected walls go the Begonias and the other tropicals that will return next year with a bit of protection. I hover over the succulents...slow growth and expense make them an important target for extra care. The Fuchsias have been installed in a tent prepared for them in RV World . Indoors there are clusters of plants in various locations close to windows and doors;all looking splendid now but I expect leaf drop and spindly growth by January. Just like we humans, plants that are stuck indoors develop a pallor -botanical cabin fever.

The GGW photo contest for this month is also the last of 09 , and I thought at once of a series of photos I took last fall on Oak Knoll Rd near Trefethen Vineyards. As one travels through this valley the vines create a lineal view-planted in straight rows and moving your eye into the distance. Combine this draftsman like view with the blazing color of the fall leaves ..you do indeed have the end of the line. The fruit is picked , the juice is beginning it's transformation into the good wine, and the vines will soon be bare, with a carpet of mustard in the rows.