New England asters!
Well, you know what this means...
1) Found the camera!
2) It is now Autumn!
Autumn is not a sad time for me, though I understand why many see it that way.
I feel it more as a beginning than an ending.
There's certainly plenty going on in the plant world.
Some plants are just beginning to blossom for the first time:
Others, like this Queen Anne's Lace,
are already investing most of their energy in the future:
Plants influence my daily activities in many ways. Collecting seeds. Arranging for the goats' food supply. Watching the candy roaster squash grow, and planning where to store them if they make it to storing size.
A new experiment: biting insects arrive before the jewelweed in the Spring, so next year I'm hoping jewelweed in the form of ice cubes will provide similar itch-relief as the fresh plants. Do me a favor? Next Spring, when I mention the blackflies and mosquitoes, please remind me that I did this. It is entirely possible I will forget what those little brown blocks are, tucked away in the freezer.
Speaking of the freezer, early Autumn is also the gastronomically interesting time when I try to identify and eat everything left in the chest freezer - lots of soups and berries this year - prior to defrosting and cleaning.
All in preparation for...apple season!
I love Autumn.
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I'm so glad that you found your camera. Great picts, all the way through. I'm glad that you love autumn - you do have some pretty flowers then. We get our asters in August/early Sept. By now, every plant except clovers is done.
ReplyDeleteAh, enjoy those apples. There is nothing like fresh New England apples. Lucky, lucky you!
Great idea to freeze some jewel weed! I just wish I could find it growing near us.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it will work, but certainly worth a try! I hope you can find some in your area next year, Leigh. It grows there, doesn't it?
DeleteGlad you found your camera. I'm very happy that our current midday temperatures is only 95 degrees. I know some folks think that it still hot, but for us, it is relief. The night time temperatures are going down to about 75 so that means Fall is on its way and the growing season here in the desert will begin. :) Happy October!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful when the night temperatures drop enough to make sleep more comfortable? I'm loving these nights!
DeleteHuzzah for the camera! I love autumn, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteJewelweed repels insects? What kind? What do you do with the cubes? I am perpetually followed by a cloud of mosquitoes from April - November -- even inside of cars --- and I'd love to know more! thanks!
ReplyDeleteSorry, it does not repel insects, but the "juice" can reduce the itching from bites; I've found it works best if applied right away.
DeleteFor this experiment, I filled a big roaster pan with cut-up pieces of jewelweed, added lots of water, and simmered for several hours. Then I filtered the liquid through a milk filter and froze the cubes as an easy way to store small amounts for months. Fingers crossed the concentrated liquid will have a similar itch-stopping effect as the fresh plant...we'll see!
Thank you! reducing the itching would be great, too!
DeleteHooray on the camera returning from places unknown! And a suggestion re the bound-to-be-forgotten little brown blocks in the freezer....do what I do and make a note on next year's kitchen calendar to remind you they're there.
ReplyDeleteYou have a next year's kitchen calendar??? I am impressed! :)
DeleteYep - I buy them early because if I don't then I lose notes to myself that I need to make.
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