Tag Archives: Cottonwood Leaves

Rainy Sunday

It’s been stinking hot, weather that was supposed to continue for one more day. But the weather girl was wrong again. We woke in the middle of the night to high winds, thunder, and lightning. And the dogs whining to get in the house.

Rain this morning cooled things off, but the damage is done. The cottonwoods are loosing leaves.

The daylilies are finishing up. Buds are opening on the chrysanthemums, and I wonder if we’ll have an early fall. I’ve got lots of cleanup to do before winter sets in. Meanwhile, we’re harvesting peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. The garlic is ready to eat. Pasta, anyone?

Meanwhile, I’m watching the honeysuckle bloom and the bittersweet turn orange.

Happy Sunday.

Signs of Fall

We got out early this morning to water the baby trees, and found cottonwood tree leaves in the lawn. Okay–let’s call it what passes for lawn at my house.

The cottonwoods lose about half their leaves between mid-July and mid-August. Maybe more if it’s been a dry year. For me, it’s the start of Autumn.

According to the “old” calendar, Autumn begins on August 2, cross-quarter between the Solstice (June 21) and the Equinox (September 21), when the days shorten perceptibly. Just as February 2 is the start of Spring, when the days lengthen perceptibly.

Of course, it depends on where you live.

And here, thriving in the ashes of the burn pile, are morning glories. Glorious this morning.

If you’re gardening today, I hope the weeds are few and the rain is just right.