Lots to cover in this episode, now that I finally have a moment to write it.

Frost was on the way, so I hurried and dug up all the sweet potatoes…well, one box load of them, not bad for my first attempt.  Then we came up with a clever way to do step 1 of a complicated process of curing and storage before they’re ready to eat.  They’re covered, on heat pads, under grow lights in the basement propagator.

With that out of the way, I worked my way around the yard cutting down large tree limbs for the sukkah.  A lot of stuff got needed pruning, so it accomplished two goals.  Meanwhile, each evening after work, Avdi built the main framework, with a little “help” from me.  A lot of work got condensed into a short time.  Eventually, the kids motivated out there and we covered the sides and roof with branches, until it got too dark and cold to work.  They started the decorating phase.  Stay tuned for more photos in daylight.

Somewhere in all of that I transplanted some of my little tree saplings and native perennials around the yard, stashed the rest in a sheltered corner out back, and attempted an experiment with propagating cuttings of coral honeysuckle, holly, and redbud down in the prop station.  My plan is to transform the disarray of the landscape into more of a “secret garden”.

The rest is all about flowers.  Our friendly neighbor showed S how to cut some of her annuals to bring home, to add to all the bouquets, before the frost gets to them.  The toad lily (Tricyrtis)  finally bloomed.  Y made some beautiful paper flowers.  Natives continue to bloom in profusion.  The kids are already thinking about the flowers they’d like to plant in their personal gardens next year.  My evil plan at work: engage them by example.