Hawaii vs. Kansas

I don’t know what I would do if I lived in Hawaii.  Well, I would probably be on the beach a lot and enjoy fresh pineapple as much as possible.  Oh, and hopefully be on the beach a lot – I mentioned that already didn’t I?

What I am referring to is the lack of the changing of the seasons.  I am sure they have their own way of telling how time marches on but, from the plains of Kansas, it seems like it would be odd not having the distinct difference in seasons.  See, I love the changing of the seasons and have come to kind of mark my year by them. 

With the first frost last week came a seasonal change for me. A frost generally puts an end to my garden (which by this time of year is a welcoming thing to me).  I will begin the ritual of pulling cages off tomatoes (of which I picked none) – pulling all the plants out of the ground and getting rid of a few of those weeds which made their home along side my vegetables.

But this year I will also pull my row of Zinnias.  They died with the frost last week.  But, before they died, I picked several more bouquets of flowers.  I made a fall tablescape for a gathering I had and only used my red and orange Zinnias.  They were just delightful.

Back in August I told you I had picked over 700 blooms.  Well, I kept track of what I picked and (drum roll please) . . . I picked over 1700 blooms from my 7 packets of Zinnia seeds!!

What a great little flower.  I will always have a row of Zinnia’s in my garden – and they too will become a seasonal reminder that here in Kansas our landscape changes with each season, but, as every gardener there is always next year and next year I will have those wonderful little flowers to smile at me again!!

Happy Gardening,

Julie