wayner - It's good to see someone growing in buckets this fall - as I do the same each year, myself. Due to the size of the squash plants and the relatively low "N" content of the fertilizer, it's safe to apply it now. The beans should be ok too, I figure. I'll be growing cauliflower and broccoli in self watering planters made from buckets later myself, and you can follow my progress/failures at the link below. EG Here is a link that might be useful: click here

New this year: Campanula Pearl White and Bliss Blue-- disappointing. They started to bloom and then petered out mid summer. Maybe chipmunks or voles though, I'll have to see if they come back at all Georgia Peach heuchera-- nice and can't wait to see the colorations in spring Bertie Ferris daylily--bought 2 more because I have one and they are blooming machines and are gorgeous and petite. :) Rising Sun Coreopsis--bloom machine, but now it's starting to look ugly-legged. Next year will be nice though. May Night Salvia (bought 4 of them)-- wow! Bigger than I expected and bloomed all summer. Geum Fireball--growing well but I won't see any blooms I guess till next year :( Olive Bailey Langdon, Great Expectations, and Frances Williams hostas--Doing their thing, but can't wait to see how they do next year. OBL, hopefully will make it through winter, because it's been in a wine barrel planter, which isn't moving anywhere anytime soon lol Dream Blue daylilies (2)-- bloomed about two weeks after I planted them and looked great right away. Can't wait to see them next year. Pretty Jessica rose (Austin rose)--looks good, disease free for me, blooms well for first season in a pot. Will be going in shed over winter. Twister mini roses (3)-- two did great but one just started out balling all over the place. Ugly rose, though, and I gave them to a coworker whom thinks their gorgeous lol! Sleeping Beauty mini roses (2)--Blooming machines, still going on now! I haven't noticed any fragrance yet though. Did excellent for me. Just another note: I planted Tiki Torch echinacea 2 years ago and never saw a bloom. This year it has amazed me with tons of blooms all summer long!

your garden is gorgeous! I love the little bridge. Your ferns are really gorgeous, too. What is the weeping fir-like tree? http://www.flickr.com/photos/54573258@N05/5154697606/sizes/l/in/photostream/ Here is a link that might be useful: this tree?

I haven't seen hummingbirds since mid to late September, but I've kept the feeder up (as recommended) in case of late migrants or lost birds. No activity lately except for the occasional chickadee drinking from the center well. Except for today when I saw something small buzzing around the feeder and I thought maybe a late hummer! As usual I grabbed the camera first, took some shots, and then pulled out the binoculars. Turns out a butterfly was visiting the feeder. It came back several times and stayed a while. I'm not sure if it actually drank the nectar or just checked it out, but they probably have long tongues (or the equivalent) too. It was hanging around the outside of the feeder so it wasn't going for the water in the well. I have a few photos, not very good, that seem to show it at the flower ports. I think it's a Painted Lady but I'm not sure. Maybe a migrant? This is about the time I see Monarchs. I have plenty of asters and goldenrods in bloom so there should be enough nectar around for butterflies, but I never thought they'd go to a hummingbird feeder . Claire