Welcome to the November edition of Rewind, an essay told mostly through photography.
It’s warm for Minnesota in November; spring bulbs are confused. Tiny ranunculus leaves, green with youth, push up through dry soil at the back of the yard. Elsewhere, daffodils attempt to re-emerge, tricked by our false weather.
Before I share a peek at the gardens, I want to thank new subscribers this month. I am so glad you’ve found Roots & Vines.
In autumn the yard softens from sharp summer green to subtle waves of brown and grey. Pictured here: dried ornamental grass (“bunny tails”).
“Bunny tails” make a stunning wreath, too.
I build most of my dried flower wreaths using wisteria vine harvested from my mother’s garden. I love the simplicity of unadorned wreaths.
This is the kitchen garden as it becomes a polytunnel. In fall, before the ground freezes, I set up arched PVC pipes. Later in the winter season, I affix heavy plastic tarps to the structure to transform the space into a temporary greenhouse.
Fall chores include clearing the garden beds and placing compost on the soil before snow arrives. But, I still have tomatoes harvested last month; they are ripening in a south-facing window.
I planted twenty-six garlic cloves last week, but I still have about ten garlic bulbs left over from this summer’s harvest. They add a brash snap of flavor to sauces and soups — better than store bought garlic.
From the archives: a fall wreath I built last year using dried flowers from the garden. I love bright, bold colors during winter months, when the outdoor landscape is washed in white snow.
November is the best time to purchase seeds for next year’s garden.
Flowers featured in today’s essay: ornamental grass “Bunny Tails” from Seed Saver Exchange; assorted tomatoes from our local technical college plant sale; garlic bulbs from Rustic Roots Farm; strawflowers, celosia, and statice from assorted seed vendors; seed packets from Floret Flowers.
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See you back at the end of the month for a new essay!
-Betsy
That tomato photo, all pink and turquoise, is dreamy.