Yes it is almost winter..but

There are still things to do.

I planted new lily bulbs-Holland Beauty and Bonbini. I put a bit of deer fencing under and around them, lots of compost- that flower bed has finally improved to actual soil instead of clay. Only took 6 years!If you are afraid of a freeze, dig your holes now while awaiting your bulbs. and don;t forget to dig a couple of extra inches and put in sand if your soil does not drain.

We do not know if the heavy snow cover ( leaving the soil wet) or voles did in so many lilies. Moles eat grubs, voles will burrow into or under anything, and eat plants. voles look like tailless mice.Just an FYI.Mole diggings mean voles have an entry point.So does heavy mulch ( thus the warning not to mulch until after a freeze for  many plants. Some things, like shallots, don;t appreciate being kept so wet, either.Waiting for that first solid freeze solves many problems.)So why mulch? to protect the soil, keep it from heaving, and keep your earthworms and other good guys busy munching that compost, leaves etc you hopefully put on your beds. Mulch one year and you will see the results in spring- I promise.

the other method is mulch in place-usually oats and winter peas at this time of year.


There are still turnips growing, under a light row cover. We hope for a harvest in a few weeks; if not, they hold the soil until spring.

the parsnips need to wait for a heavier freeze before we dig them up. It;s been a warm fall..So warm, I'll get another cutting of the nettles for the compost pile. ( remember your gloves) they are super composting material, very mineral and nitrogen rich.We leave the comfrey-also still growing-until spring. I could use the dried leaves for the potatoes, if i go for an early planting. They really cover the soil beautifully. it's not a waste to leave them in place.

Many of the herbs are in the little greenhouse, along with the young fig tree and a strawberry pot ( still green and putting out new flowers! could we hope?)Tropicals are under the growlight, which will keep them going I think, at least until they get moved aside for seedlings!

so much to do-and after Christmas, the new year-for the Garden-really gets going!