Tangled Branches: Cultivated
happenings in and around my zone 6b gardens in northern Virginia and in central Virginia
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Midpoint of Summer
My annual post about the beginning of autumn is past due. I started writing this on Thursday, the astronomical halfway point between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox, and traditionally the start of autumn in Europe and northern Asia. Or is it the midpoint of summer? That's what Wednesday's entry in Baer's Almanac said. I suppose it's a half-empty/half-full sort of judgement.
It's not hard to find signs of autumn, if that's what you're looking for. The black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) trees start to take on their fall colors very early (especially if they're drought-stressed?). 
Goldenrod started blooming several weeks ago, but I notice more and more every day.
There are flower buds visible on my 'Purple Dome' asters.
I saw a huge patch of pale pink Lycoris in somebody's yard in central Virginia last weekend.
A gust of wind brought down a shower of green acorns yesterday.
However, since starting vegetable gardening in earnest last year, what's really on my mind at this season is tomatoes and peppers. Especially peppers.
This year the freezer will be well-stocked with enough chile peppers to last until next August.
Labels: astronomy, autumn, peppers, seasons, vegetables
2 Comments:
You are right. It feels as if the summer goes towards the end - very early this year. Lots of leaves are already changing colors and falling to the ground - maybe because of constant lack of rain. Even though I complained about the humidity all summer long, I am not ready for fall yet.
Bek: The lack of rain is really becoming tiresome. I feel like I'm spending all my gardening time on watering. We got a few drops Sunday evening, but not enough. But this cooler weather we've had the last few days is so refreshing!
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