Persimmon ‘Fuya’. Great harvest and yummy!

Changes are coming...

The time has changed, and so have I. I like change, but I know only some people embrace it. I've been writing this blog since 2007; it has changed, and I'm morphing again!

Over the last several years, I've posted pictures of each named bed, but I'm changing tactics. Going forward, I'll post what I'm working on within the Bee Better Naturally Teaching Garden beds each month and pics of what looks good.

2023 NC State Fair…

During the Fair, I only received third place, which was all I deserved. I couldn't keep the ferns hydrated. I don't think I will do a competition garden next; I will keep the Bee Better Naturally with Helen Yoest education site. This year, I featured a profile on the native carpenter bee.

Garden Maintenance…

November is when I get on my knees to pick up chestnuts 'It's a great plant, but carefully consider placement. Our chestnuts dropped on the kids' soccer field, designed for them when we first moved in; I have picked these nuts encased in ouchy stuff for most years since then.

My family and I call these encased nuts ouchy balls. On 11/3, I got the first round, filling three-gallon nursery pots full. I hope this is the last year I have to deal with this tree. If the nuts were of any size, I'd keep them, even with the burden, but nope, they are not worth a harvest.

Since the NC State Fair was over, I planted the ferns used in the display. I was very disappointed in these ferns since they were highly pot-bound. Because of this, they didn't hold water during the Fair. Reworking each of the 28 ferns took a while to free the roots and rehydrate. I like the addition. They look worse for wear from lack of water, but they'll survive.

Thanksgiving…

Those who could make it met me at the beach to gather together for Thanksgiving Day. That was the plan, but I came down with the flu. Yes, I did have my flu shot in October; all I could think about was how bad it could have been.

Enjoyments….

Dinners out with friends at the beach, a lovely brunch with friends, including the owner of the Red Brick Inn in Swansboro, and martinis with friends. Friday wine with Nathalie, The Sculpture in the Garden event at the NC Botanical Garden with Joanne. (We both left with sticker shock!) Plus, when I’m in town and not at the beach for a weekend, Genya and I meet at Baulted Bread for coffee and croissants, dinner with Beth, and other fun things. And, of course, working in the Bee Better Naturally Garden is a pure pleasure for me.

Plus dinner with friends at the Boro before the Swansboro tree lighting. Such a fun time!

Fitness…

After finishing the 1/2 walking marathon towards the end of October, I vowed to continue with my training. I started beach yoga with Anne-Marie. From there, I would do Fridays at Carolina Home and Garden, yoga, pilates, barre at our wonderful YMCA, and walking—a lot! On Sunday, November 12th, I looked into hot barre at the Downtown Barre in Morehead City. Woah! That was a game-changer. For one, it was an hour-long (Barre at the Y is only 45 minutes), and it was at 101ºF. About halfway through, I was totally drenched! But I loved it! And let me tell you, I was extra sore for five days! It’s that much more of a workout. So now, that is my new beach thing. So yes, training for the 1/2 marathon set new lifelong habits for me as long as I can. But then, there will always be chair yoga! Now, add to the hot barre, on 11/22 I tried to do slow hot yoga. That was a whole different experience than the hot barre. I’m not ready for that yet!

Leave the leaves…

We often want something planted for the wildlife to feed year-round. Typically, what comes to mind are flowers and berries. But I have a question for you—Do you leave the leaves? It's a good idea. I don't have enough, so I'm the crazy lady in your neighborhood collecting leaves from the street. I like it when I find native oaks, maples, and elms. There's a lot of life down there! Feed The Wildlife!!!! Just as important is the FREE Mulch! Our goal in sustainable gardening is not to buy products when nature gives them to us for free!

Leaves don't have to be kept where they fall. Rake them and put them into your garden beds. Don't mow the leaves. Would you like to be mowed over?

If you are worried about the leaves blowing around, they will flatten once a good rain comes. Often, I'll find a chipping service to dump if I have enough or work with a neighbor to share. I can then put it over the leaves for it all to last longer.

The Mixed Border…

Readers of this newsletter know full well that I spend half my time at the beach in my writing COTtAGE on Emerald Island, NC, and while I have been building the Mixed Border for a while, I recently stepped it up a notch. I moved a lot around at the first of the month. I moved most of the pollinator plants to the pollinator bed. I also added three Aronia Low Scape Mound®. It's a great plant if you are unfamiliar with it.

I also added an Abelia x grandiflora ‘Frosty.’. It’s a great new addition to the Abelia family of plants. I only planted one. This non-native is a departure from what I typically buy, but It turned my head and is a pollinator plant.

And there is more… I added a Viburnum x ‘Moonlit Lace’, Fothergilla major 'Mount Airy', Swing Low® Distylium, and a dwarf oakleaf hydrangea. I also added a few Tommies, Crocus tommasinianus.

I’m looking to add ground covers, including creeping raspberry Rubus Calycinoides.

I’m thrilled we got 2.5 inches of rain last week. All new plantings are looking mighty fine!