We had our first frost this weekend. Rooftops were white when I looked out the window on Sunday morning. I’m not ready for the cold.  There was frost on the windshield of my car that I didn’t notice until I opened the car and sat down.  I  turned the key and started the defrosting right away. Brrr! I could have used mittens or gloves too, but it was time to leave for church. Later I would pull out mittens and scarves, and my winter jacket.

My husband took off the last tomatoes a few days ago and cut down the plants, untangling a few morning glory vines in the process.  I harvested some seed from the vines. I expect there’ll be no more flowers this year, but I keep an eye on the vines as the seed pods dry; I will harvest more seeds this fall and the last of them in the spring. Plenty of seed for next year.

 The parsley is still green, though maybe not for long. But the chrysanthemum plant in my front yard is enormous. It’s parted in the middle now, maybe from the rain of the last few days weighing down the plant.  A few days ago, and for several weeks, the stems stood tall, like a giant bouquet.  Magnificent.

I hope there’ll still be good days in October to enjoy some warmth, and the colour and last blooms of my garden. Later will be garden cleanup, then getting out the snow shovels, but let’s enjoy this season while it lasts. Go walking in the park or down the street with leaves crunching under my feet. Let the fall gardens  and colourful trees have their last flourish before their winter sleep.

As the garden rests, any good gardener is planning for the next year. I will be planning what I put in alongside my husband’s workshop now that the siding is up. Eavestroughs need to be installed yet, but when they’re on, I’ll be out digging up that bed and getting it ready for spring. Maybe I’ll plant some morning glories there too!