The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

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Another trip around the yard for this week.

The best time of year

There’s no denying it any longer. My garden looks its best in September and October.

Thank you grasses.

Same shot but with some lighting edits.

Which is better?

 

The inconsistency of deer

They always keep us on our toes, don’t they? Last week many of you mentioned that the deer eat your Obedient plants yet I’ve managed to get mine through without a munch for years running.

Of course that could change by next week and if you believe in deer jinxing, well I’m screwed now.

 

Willow-leaved sunflower

I just received my first bloom this week.

With many more to come.

 

 

Dwarf liatris

I added five of these perennials to a partially shaded area of the garden. Maybe that’s why they are flopping. Or maybe that’s their nature. This is my first rodeo with these guys.

 

 

 

Calamagrostis brachytricha (Feather Reed Grass)

It’s taken some time for this grass to get established but this is my first run of blooms since it was planted a few years back. The blooms are killer.

 

 

Signs of fall

On the Viburnum.

And the Thalictrum (Meadow rue).

On Joe Pye.

The oats of Northern Sea Oats ‘River Mist’ are a bit, ahem, toasted.

The queen of autumn, Amsonia hubruchtii.

 

 

The harvest is ending

I struggled to keep up with the tomato production and now we are at the end of the line.

 

I probably should’ve cut those basil flowers off along the way.

 

Spider season

Thanks for the display.

 

The deer are still working hard

They didn’t touch Joe Pye Weed too much in season’s past. Remember what I said about deer jinxing? It’s a thing.

 

Hummingbird

I’m fairly certain this is the same hummingbird we get year after year. We only get one and this one sticks around well into September. If only I could get a better pic of her.

 

Poop

Is this gross or interesting?

 

Better late than never

The base for the fire pit is finally done. We’ve done one round of smores so far. Will be sure to share them virtually with you soon.

Note: Use peanut butter cups. Delish.

 

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13 Responses

  1. “Remember what I said about deer jinxing? It’s a thing.” PREACH. This is absolutely true.

    And love the little monarch and hummingbird!

    • Thanks Misti. It is a thing and I am going to do my best to mention them as little as possible going forward. Ha.

  2. The photo essay on your fall garden is very enjoyable. This is my first time here, so I may have missed some basic information about your property. How much area are you gardening? Do you really have a 300-item spreadsheet? I’d love to see your list! I’ve already noticed some of my favorite plants in your pictures.

    • Thanks so much for finding your way here Pam! I’m on two acres in Central NJ but most of my garden surrounds the house/driveway/deck directly. I do have that spreadsheet and plan on sharing it here soon. Just needs some tidying up so it is presentable.

  3. Nice gardening as usual cuzzin. I always enjoy your attention to detail. QUESTION – how do you decide what to plant each year? Research, read books, consult with Greenhouse experts? Have you ever thought of making a Greenhouse using -poles & tarps that are like white/light green trash bags? Maybe constructing a make fence will help deter deer … ?

    • It’s now all trial and error Mart after years of reading and googling. I would kill for a greenhouse and it’s on the bucket list for sure.

  4. Beautiful pictures as always. I love the 2nd shot of the grasses! The lighting really brings out the details in the seed heads. I have been reading some of your old posts regarding OG’s and I see you still have the Northern Sea Oats. Never ending battle I guess? It does have very interesting seed heads but I will not be planting it. Are there any other grasses that you wish you had not planted? I am trying really hard to research each grass before buying so I don’t regret it later.

    Looking forward to more grass pictures!

    • Linda – I will never eradicate the NSO no matter how hard I try. I find them difficult to pull even as small plants in spring. Never again!!! I honestly don’t love Miscanthus as much any more and would be happy planting nothing but Panicum. They perform so much better and are much more manageable not to mention native.

      • What about the Miscanthus Purparascens? I love your pictures of that one and have been thinking about adding one to my garden. Is it hard to control? I planted a few of the smaller Miscanthus this year…Little Zebra, Little Kitten and Little Miss. I also planted a little bluestem called Smoke Signal (the color on this one is fantastic and it’s native!) and Panicum Shenandoah and I think I will add Panicum Northwind next year. I like the switch grasses but I also love the fountain shapes of pennisetum (also planted a couple Hameln). I might be a little outta control with the grasses!
        Linda

  6. All of your hard work has definitely paid off. It’s beautiful, John.
    I don’t mind poop pics as long as it’s caterpillar. Deer/rabbit, okay. Dog, nope. (Sorry dogs.)

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