“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:18
Hello dear friends! It seems that weather is always a topic of conversation. We are still experiencing heat and humidity in our Appalachian Foothills of NE Alabama with no end in sight. It is also extremely dry, I can’t even remember for sure the last time it rained. It did thunder on Tuesday and it really got my hopes up, but it was a false alarm. The garden is tired and so am I. But there are still some pretties to show you. My Renaissance Man has been waging war and I will let him share his war stories a little later in the post. Join me for a short walk in our September Garden!
”I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house. So I have spent almost all the daylight hours in the open air.”
-Nathaniel Hawthorne, 10th October 1842
This is one of my favorite views of the garden…standing behind the picket fence in the pasture and watching as the garden takes on its autumn appearance!
This vanilla strawberry hydrangea bloom has taken on soft colors before it changes to its autumn brown.
The sun is bleaching my formerly bright pink zinnias to a softer hue and they have begun to look a little weary.
No this isn’t rain drops on the budding dahlia, just the sprinkler!
I bought the Lavender Perfection dahlia tubers at Lowe’s in spring and they have performed beautifully. I bought several varieties from a very respected internet garden site and they haven’t done well at all. This is my first year to try my hand at dahlias, you know gardening is trial and error!
This is the first bloom on Dahlia Avignon, I am waiting patiently for it to open completely!
Now I turn it over to the head gardener, My Renaissance Man!
We are finding hundreds of new holes like this one every morning in the garden and throughout the yard. Our trail cams have revealed the culprit(s) and the various times they conduct their nightly visits and there is no consistency. We’ve declared war but we are currently losing. So far, all of the touted remedies we have tried have failed to bring relief. The latest is cayenne pepper! “Possums on the half shell”, as they are commonly called around here, have become quite a nuisance unless you don’t mind your yard looking like a battle ground.
Showing up in the daylight is rare. This particular armadillo has decided to not disturb our yard anymore!
Another view from behind the fence
This piggy has graced our garden for several years and has caused us no problems. However, it is probably only a matter of time until pigs of another kind visit. We understand feral hogs are now found in all Alabama counties! (And unfortunately they don’t eat armadillos).
Most of the hydrangeas are already wearing their autumn color!
With time passing so quickly (is it my age?), the garden will soon be put to bed for its winter sleep.
I close with a photo that I used on Sunday, “bodacious” dahlia…she lives up to her name!
Thank you for visiting with me in the garden, hopefully you weren’t stressed by the heat. Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, A Stroll Thru Life, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home, Celebrate & Decorate, Me and My Captain, Shabby Fufu, Designthusiasm, Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country
Oh my! And I thought voles and Canada geese were a problem for me! Perhaps armadillo and feral hogs are what define the Deep South from our moniker of being the northernmost Southern state! Are those dangerous? People talk of Canada geese being aggressive but we have never encountered that. Ours are just a nuisance, and typically would fly away when Mr. P. would just walk toward them.
I know it’s early for putting the garden to bed, but when it’s been this hot for so long, I’m sure you’d rather see it tidied up than looking tired (even though your shots still show much beauty). I can honestly say i haven’t missed the chores at all this year. Maybe the woes, yes, but certainly not the woes. Still, I’m grateful for you sharing yours!
*maybe the wows, not the woes.
Rita, armadillos are not aggressive at all. The problem is they have no natural predator, just humans. Sources have told us there is no way to get rid of them except to shoot them. They are very hard to trap. Feral hogs, I understand are aggressive and they are huge. They will completely destroy your property. Armadillos at one time were unheard of here, but it is like so many other animals they keep migrating further north. The geese are a huge problem in our city because a river runs through the city with a lot of lakes. They stop traffic as they walk across four lane highways. Butch has trapped 10 raccoons and moved them in the past two months. They also dig. The animal population has exploded. We have wild turkey and of course deer daily. When we built our home forty years ago, we rarely saw deer.
We have battled armadillos for years but honestly moles and voles are even worse. Armadillos just root and eat insects. Moles eat your grass and plant roots and they die! Feral hogs have been a HUGE problem in our area. They are scary and bold to appear in day light in packs.
It is awfully dry and even with the sprinkler plants are looking very weary in this heat. You captured some beautiful autumn shots.
Loving your dahlias. They have such personality.
I went to a Garden Club event with tables and tables of zinnia centerpieces that you would have loved. I thought of you.
Bonnie, I haven’t seen a feral hog. Butch has seen them in South Alabama. He says they are mean. I would have loved those zinnia centerpieces. Have a wonderful day!
Armadillos and feral hogs! Our mountain lions and bears have competition 🤭.And here I thought geese and rabbits were the only visitors to your garden other than Miss Ella Mae and Miss Emma. Our garden has been dead headed and cleaned up and ready for Winter as we had a very short Summer. Our Fall was August and now the temperatures at night are falling into the forties. Daytime seventies and yesterday we had hail. Next the snow! I love the fact that you still have flowers, beautiful dahlia’s. Your garden is beautiful however all year long. The work you put into maintaining your garden is so very appreciated by your followers.
My garden is mostly woe these days with only hydrangeas and echinacea hanging in there. Most everything else is trimmed to the ground to wait for spring. Fortunately, there are no critters larger than chipmunks wandering in it.
Oh, Pam, my goodness I would never have dreamed an Armadillo would live in Alabama. For some reason, I always thought they were western creatures. Hopefully, he will move on. Your dahlias are gorgeous. I always started mine in very shallow soil and let them grow a bit and then planted them. Our garden is looking tired also. And, we have dry, dry weather too. I have already started to cut the peonies down and it seems a bit early, but their leaves are loosing color, so that is a sign.
Happy garden days and stay away from those wild creatures.
We have had armadillos here in Georgia for years! 15 years ago i saw one dead in the street and stopped to look, so unsual to see here. Now they are everywhere.
Yes, they were unheard of here, but now they are everywher!
Hi Pam (and Butch 🙂 We definitely have more woes than wows in the garden this time of year. We’re in the ‘no rain’ camp too. It’s been well over three weeks since we’ve seen a drop and probably longer…things are crispy. I just heard this morning that we’ve had 70 days of 90 degree temps (or higher) this summer and I’m ready to pack my bags and head north!
Armadillos are so prehistoric looking, they would make me laugh except for the damage they can do in the garden. Love the dahlias! I’ve had really good experience with peony tubers I’ve purchased I purchased at Lowe’s and you can’t beat the price. Keep Calm and Garden On ♥
Your garden still looks lovely. You have inspired me to try dahlias next year!
Yes, try dahlias for sure Penny!
And I thought Japanese Beetles and Voles were bad!
Your fall garden is as beautiful as is your spring and summer gardens!
My one son has had his entire veggie garden wiped out by squirrels and chipmunks. I thought he should get netting for his garden. He then said… “then it becomes work and not fun, and then it’s the $45 tomato!” Lol!
Thank you to the both of you for sharing that gardens do have problems but we do learn how to shine through them, I think! Lol.
Sending you some Thursday Love! 🤗
It seems that no matter where we live, there are varmints to contend with. Thanks Nancy, wishing you a lovely Thursday!
I suppose patience and endurance has to be two qualities that we gardeners must possess. Your garden is still amazing. I want dahlias and will try next year. Yours are spectacular. The temperatures here have been sweltering with no rain. The company that fertilizes our yard spread lime on half of my sedum so only half of my sedum bloomed. It was a disappointment but just let it go. We are having to sprinkle a lot. Thank goodness no armadillo! A beautiful post with your changing hydrangeas and beautiful quotes. Ready for cooler temps!
Yes, patience and endurance are necessary. I am so sorry about your sedum Dianne. As always, thank you for your sweet visits!
Your gardens still have some lovely blooms. Being in California, we don’t have any rain during the summer months. We are not sure when we will get some. We have a ground squirrel problem. They do make holes and also eat certain flowers. They have also eaten some of my outdoor pillows. Good luck with the critters.
Thank you Linda! It seems that everyone has critters of some sort. Have a wonderful day!
Your garden always looks stunning to me Pam & Butch, and I am so sorry you have critters causing havoc! The heat and dry spell have everything looking sad, but I do think your fading hydrangeas are beautiful! Bring on the cooler temps please!!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna, the heat just keeps going and going!
Thank you for sharing your fence views, they are over the with beauty
Thank you Linda!
I have NEVER seen an armadillo — even in the zoo! Wow! I’m sorry you didn’t get any rain fallout from Dorian. I was hoping some of the drought-starved areas would get a bit of it. We’re cooling off here up north. Wish I could share it with you!
Jeanie, I wish you could send your cooler temps down south! Have a wonderful Thursday!
Armadillos in Alabama? I learn something from you and Butch continually. We finally had a
good rain that “rescued” some of the garden…in fact, what I thought gone for the season, the
beautiful apricot drift roses you recommended, were there yesterday in all their glory in a
flourishing state.. Are we not fortunate to be moved by the subtleties of beauty…like hearing
the nuances of another language perhaps missed by others? Your hard-won garden is still
redolent with your dedication and loving touch.. the beauty is not truly faded at all… just cloaked in a new hue…also, great bones…. A blessed day ~
Oh Mary, yes and they are a horrible menace. We are desperate for rain, the ground is parched and the grass is crunchy and browning. I so love my apricot roses and I hope for a late flush. I am happy your garden received refreshing rain and has perked up. Have a wonderful weekend my friend❤️
I am starting a perennial garden here in Opelika, Ala. Your garden has been such an inspiration to me. I have purchased some seeds and tubers on line. Should I keep waiting for it to get cooler to plant them? If not how do I keep them until cooler temps arrive? Thank you for your help!! And thank you for sharing your beautiful photos with us!
Thank you so much Jeannie. I would wait on planting in this heat. You might google about the tubers. I would think you would need to keep them in a cool dark place and the dirt moist, but I am not sure. Have a wonderful weekend and try to stay cool❤️
Always so interesting Pam and Butch! Possum, Armadillo, and stories of big and mean hogs! It’s so interesting to me that 40 years ago, the dear weren’t at your place, but now have come…your southern stories and information and resulting battles are so interesting to me, and I love that you show us pictures too! Your garden is still so pretty as it journeys into Autumn. We’ve had alot of rain, and I saw where Jackson Hole had some snow already! Thank you for your most enjoyable and informative posts. 🧡🍂🧡🍂
Thank you so much Sue. With our sweltering heat, Jackson Hole would be a nice respite. Actually we were there last year and loved it along with the Tetons and Yellowstone. Have a wonderful weekend!
Pam, those dahlias are gorgeous! It hit 100 degrees at my house after lunch and no rain since Aug 15! Armadillos are one thing we don’t have, thank goodness! Feral hogs, deer, geese, copperheads…it’s a jungle here! I just joined a hummingbird FB page, and they say to kill any praying mantis around the feeders because they eat hummers alive! That seemed pretty far fetched, but I researched that statement and it is true! Sending you all cool thoughts, I’m off for another glass of sweet tea!
Thank you Roxanne. You have feral hogs? I understand they are aggressive and mean. I did not know that about praying mantis. Try to stay cool and drink plenty of sweet tea, the table wine of our South!
Pam, my neighbor across the pond trapped 43 feral pigs in the swamp behind his property last summer! He had them butchered and made into sausage that he handed out all over the area. But feral hogs carry brucellosis which can be transmitted to humans, so I didn’t touch it. Sweet tea is my beverage of choice…if a doctor ever says no more, I will die of dehydration! Despite what some of my FB friends post, I am not much of a “drinker”! 😉
Wow!! Roxanne that is a lot of wild pigs! I would never touch that meat. Have you ever had them on your property?
I love sweet tea, but rarely drink it. I try my best to only drink water! Happy Saturday dear friend 😊
Wonderful pictures! Made my day!Hugs!
Thank you Maristella!
Pam, Our garden is more woe than wow but yours is still quite gorgeous! Your dahlias are outstanding! Our zinnias are still blooming as are the marigolds but everything else is looking rather tired! It’s unbelievablely hot & dry. We’ve had a family of armadillos & they are a nusiance! It seems the animals try to take over- squirrels, moles, voles, etc. We even have a woodchuck! A constant battle! I do love the deer though. We have a small creek where the does take their young. It’s just so relaxing to see them. God created so many animals that we enjoy watching including ducks & geese. Just wish they wouldn’t destroy our plants! I try to bribe them with scraps but they still dig & eat the plants. Oh well, guess that’s the price of living in a rural setting. Pam, I hope Butch is successful in capturing the armadillos. I also hope the feral hogs stay away. I’ve seen them running in the fields in MS & they’re fast & aggressive! I thoroughly enjoyed the garden visit! Stay cool dear Pam! Clara♥️
Clara, I guess every gardener is fighting some critters that want to destroy. The heat is so oppressive and no rain in sight. Sprinklers running, but everything looks weary and tired. Have a beautiful weekend sweet Clara ❤️
We are still feeling the cool here with days in between of teasing spring warmth!
What a delight the bodacious dahlia is Pam! 😀
Blessings,
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. Blessing sweet friend~
Oh, those dahlias are stunning…so pretty! Your September garden is so lovely. I know all too well the damage that armadillos can do to a garden, and watch for those wild pigs. They can sure destroy a lawn! I’m sorry I’m so late commenting….my grandmother passed Wednesday and I have been with my family. My heart is heavy because we were so close. I find comfort in my memories, and knowing that she is in a better place. Enjoy your weekend, sweet friend!!!
Shannon, I am so very sorry that your grandmother passed away, I know you were so close. Prayers for you and your family precious Shannon. May the peace and comfort of our Heavenly Father hold you close. Memories are a beautiful comfort, dwell on these my friend. 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Oh, those horrid possums and armadillos!!! We used to deal with the armadillos when we lived in FL, and oh, my, they were such a trial to us! I hope you can find a way to get rid of them. It is sad to see the glorious beauty of your garden fade, but soon the autumn splendor will overtake the tiredness, and I can’t wait to see your amazing photos! It is always such a joy to visit with you two, and I pray the Lord will bless your weekend!
Thank you dear Cheryl. Armadillos are certainly a pest, and they wouldn’t win any beauty contests. Wishing you a joy-filled week my friend!
I cracked up at your “Wow and Woes”. If this isn’t the perfect description of gardening this year, I don’t know what.
Critters—we had a woodchuck take up residence under the side porch..and when my husband was working on replacing boards on the back deck(low to the ground) he found a HUGE possum taking a nap under the cool boards. Honestly–it’s nice that they let us live here—of course our rent is tomatoes to the raccoons and possums, and squirrels, burying walnuts in our furniture.
Fun post and your yard still looks luscious.
Sounds like you have had plenty of woes also. Gardening is always a learning experience!
I am not an experienced flower gardener by any means, but yours look so beautiful! This has been a year in the garden where it has gone one way or the other for a lot of my plants. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thank you for visiting Sarah! Wishing you a wonderful week.
Your garden is lovely! “Opossums on the half shell,” made me giggle. It’s too bad they are so hard on your yard. They are delightfully ridiculous. But I’m not the one having to deal with them.
Michelle, they are a major pest! Thank you for your lovely visit. Have a wonderful week!
Your garden is an inspiration. Mine is bedraggled, baking in the heat and drought stricken. Nothing like going on vacation and coming home to dead flowers and shriveled plants. I don’t even bother with running the sprinkler because a little water is worse than none at all.
Wow – you definitely have some different critters in your area! We just have to deal with deer, rabbits and squirrels eating our plants. Actually, we did see a black bear a few miles from our house last year but luckily he hasn’t paid us a visit! Your garden is beautiful and I love that pig planter. Thanks for linking up to Best of the Weekend. Your post was our most clicked of the week! Congrats! As always, I will be pinning and sharing on Instagram stories this weekend. Thanks again for joining us and have a wonderful weekend!
Shelley
Thank you Shelley! I enjoy the party and I will look forward to the feature tomorrow!