October Colors Vanish

October brings brilliant fall colors to the surrounding trees, but these hearty Marigolds are worth photographing too! This was the first year that I grew my Marigolds from seed. It will also be the first season that I've saved their seeds.

On Sunday, October 23, 2011, I got the rototiller back out to prepare the garlic beds. I decided to get an early start this season because I was cutting it too close in 2010 when I planted in November. I tilled the soil for well over an hour, stopping to clean weeds from the tines at least three times...

The weeds were worked into what is referred to as "green manure" which will decompose in the soil naturally over the next few weeks. It was getting late and since the sun disappears behind the mountain so much earlier in fall, it gets cold quick! 

The garlic planting would have to wait until next weekend. I was content in knowing that I had gotten this much accomplished a full three weeks earlier than last year. I thought to myself that it would be good timing and the garlic would be in two weeks earlier than when I did it at the very last minute in 2010. At least, that's what I thought...

This is what it looked like at 4:27 PM Saturday, October 29, 2011 on the day that I intended to get the garlic into the ground. The historic Nor'easter began about 2:00 PM and would continue well into Sunday. So much for that plan. 

This is what it looked like on Sunday morning with 18 inches of heavy, wet snow. The snowfall broke all historical records for most of the northeastern United States. Never before had anyone seen this much snow in the month of October. I was fortunate because I never once lost power. The nature of the snow being so heavy and the timing with so many leaves still on the trees spelt disaster. A few trees fell in this area but nothing compared to massive destruction to the east and south. Some folks were without power for more than two weeks.

In this photo you can (or can't) see the sun that is behind the mountain. This time of year, the sun continues to sink lower and lower behind that mountain. I only get about 2 hours of direct sunlight from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM which makes it that much harder for the snow to melt.
You can also see that the garden is full of 18 inches of snow. Will I get the garlic in this year? I'm seriously wondering if I will have to start all over. Hundreds of cloves would not get planted this year. Or would they...

: |