Life with The Cole’s
Fall has always been my favorite season. You have the Delta Fair, Homecomings, football games, school starting back, the harvest season…so many activities! Oh and how can you not love the absolute, unquestionable beauty that is the trees in the fall? The vibrant reds, brilliant yellows, all mixed with varying shades of browns, oranges and greens. It’s truly spectacular. Since moving to Crowleys Ridge four years ago, I have gained an even deeper appreciation of the beauty. God really paints the most beautiful of paintings for us to enjoy before the glum days of winter.
Spider web in our Crepe Myrtle. So lovely.
For farmers, it’s a season to reap the harvest. It's usually a time of high spirits and rejoicing that you made it another year without going under. It’s a time to reflect on the past year and plan and prep for next. Which is exactly what we have been doing! Along with doing some fun classes. Did you see the pictures from the pumpkin succulent class? It was so fun! I’m already planning my 2025 pumpkin patch to prepare for it again!
Along with our classes, we have lots of other projects demanding attention. Our biggest project going on is the high tunnel. Oh my gracious, what a project that has been! We are constructing a 30’ x 72’ high tunnel that will house some perennial plants along with several different annual flowers and vegetables. I’m truly so excited about having it finished not only so I can get all kinds of things planted but also because I miss my husband. He’s been working so hard on it and since I have the kids most the time, it's been hard for me to help him. But, it will get done soon, hopefully, and planting can commence! Yay!
As for planning, I have been streamlining my business to narrow the focus a bit. I’ll be announcing those plans after the first of the year. We will still be growing all the beautiful things though, no doubt. And the yummy things too! Speaking of yummy, did you start your fall garden? I did a small one a little late, and wow, these temperatures have sure helped speed things along! I have lettuce, spinach, radish and turnips ready to harvest. There are even a few flowers and summer vegetables thriving after a month and a half of neglect! Amazing really.
Fall is also my favorite time to order seeds! My top five places to order are….
Johnny Select Seeds. They have an excellent variety of high quality seeds for the home grower and the larger grower alike. https://www.johnnyseeds.com
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I am a long time fan of Baker Creek and their unique variety of vegetables. If you can’t find the weird vegetable you're looking for here, you would be hard pressed to find it! https://www.rareseeds.com
MIGardener. Great Selection and great value seeds for the veggie and herb garden! Also this guy is just a little inspiration for me. https://migardener.com
Botanical Interest. They have a variety of flower and vegetable seed with some more on the unique side so obviously I’m a fan! https://www.botanicalinterests.com/
Sunflower Selections. This is for the sunflower grower only! This website has the best selection and pricing for sunflowers. So many different beauties! https://www.sunflowerselections.com
Christmas is coming up and I can guarantee that any gardener you are buying for would like to have a gift card to any of these places! I sure know I would!
Stay Rooted and Ground in Love,
Jody
