We made it to 31 this morning. I'm about to head to the hoop house to vent it and remove the coverings because we're at 36 and it's SUNNY. If I wait too long it will be 90 in that hoop house. Funny how those things work. I brought in the tray of kale because it had a few herbs in it. They would have been fine, tho. The cabbages stayed in the hoop. I nearly forgot the calendula. It can take a light frost, I THINK. But didn't want to risk it. It's one of my focus herbs. And I have quite a bit of it. Those extra trays didn't fit on the light shelf, but they're big enough to be okay just sitting next to it. The door to that room has to be kept closed. I have 2 sister cats who love herbs--all herbs. I always say that their ancestors must have belonged to herbalists, wise women or witches. My herb cabinet is such a fascination for them. Even closed, they'll nose at it. Anyway.... I'll take the trays back to the hoop house and only bring the calendula up tonight. Tomorrow, night, the cabbages will come indoors too. How did everyone elses plants do? I hope the lows on Sunday morning don't harm those lovely plant volunteers in the burn pile. Or my red poppies. The seedlings on the light shelf really need to be potted on. (I like saying "potted on" now. There's a girl I follow on Instagram from the Isle of Man and that's what she calls potting up or up-potting.) It's a messy job and I prefer to do it outside or in the shop. Maybe after this cold spell. The tomatillos HAD to be potted on, tho, so I did those last night in the house. Okay. it's time to open the hoop house now.

Thanks rouge, it started out with 26 buds in its first flush! I have never had a more productive rose in a 3 gallon pot. And the color variation is a delight. I scored it from Lowes for $4 last fall. 😊 Now, if I could find a yellow/orange/red of similarly strong genetic makeup I would not kill 3/4 roses every year. Yes, the hydrangea is in a 10" hanging basket, trying to be purple this year. I got it as a blue one in a 6 inch pot from Trader Joe's early last spring. It didn't need a bigger pot when I checked in early spring but probably does now. I am trying to decide whether to defer it until the buds have had a chance to fully open.

Larry, thanks! I'm trying to figure out growing sweet potatoes in our clay soil. Next year, we're planning on growing things in the Survivalist Garden that don't require canning. Sweet potatoes are on the list. We've talked before about how we interchange sweet potatoes for winter squash in recipes. Becau se winter squash/pumpkins are so difficult here (dumb squash bugs!) sweet potatoes could be a great alternative. It's something we would use....and that is important to me. I like to grow what we'll truly eat. And can what we'll truly eat. I worry about our soil, though. I'm really looking forward to next year. I'm finally going to work on some garden things that I've been putting off for awhile. We have a ton of beans and diced tomatoes in the pantry, so we won't need to can any of that next year. We're just not eating as much of those things right now with it just being the two of us. We don't make a lot of pasta sauces or soups and chilies any longer. We will do some.... but it's different without our son here. He could eat a LOT. I always feel like I need to say.... If food becomes scarce, plans will change of course. Although, honestly, we would probably focus on growing meat. I've been very privileged to enjoy a vegetarian lifestyle.... but if things ever got bad, meat has calories and whatnot. I just finished up getting everything/one ready for our trip. It's been a crazy day with work, watering for two hours, and getting the animals situated. Oh, and packing. And texting with all the various parties. Daughter and son-in-law went a day early, so they're already there. Got the rental car and checked into the Airbnb. Ethan's gf's family is very different from our family. We are planners and....they're not so much. Hopefully everything will go smoothly. It's gonna be hot and dry for the rest of the week, so hopefully the deep watering today will sustain everything until I can water again in a few days. Kim, there were several grasshoppers out here. They weren't as active, but they're around. I planted pansies last night. It was fun. The Vego beds are ready to start adding cardboard and compost items. The Greenstalk is still sitting empty. It will keep until next year. I love October and want to fully enjoy it again someday.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We had roasted carrots and parsnips from the garden with our feast. Recently pickled beets were supposed to be part of it, too, but they were forgotten and remained in the refrigerator. Oh, well, they will be a great new addition to the leftovers tomorrow. We have had a warmer than normal autumn and the garden is better tended than some years. Most is covered by a layer of shredded leaves. Garlic is planted, although a few weeks latter than I'd prefer. I was gone a lot in October and was sick when I got home and didn't do much for awhile. I'm sure the garlic will be okay, maybe just a bit smaller. Some carrots, parsnips, and beets are still in the ground. They should be okay for awhile. Might be a weird cabbage or kohlrabi if I looked around some. Potatoes are stored, herbs and garlic are being used, and a couple small cabbages are refrigerated. There are veggies in the freezer, too. Time to relax and enjoy the last days of autumn.