Helen Yoest presents 2022 Thanksgiving to her family.

I’m still working the garden for less maintenance. There was a lot to be done, taking things away.

It was already low maintenance as a sustainable garden, but I believed I could do more. In early November, I decided to add the metal edging. I like crisp edges but didn’t want to pay to edge them. I was on the fence for so long…years even—wondered if I should do this. I knew plastic was out of the picture; I wouldn’t even entertain that. But I didn’t mind Colmet brand.

Having '“cleaned up,” there isn’t any chore pressing on my mind. I feel so much freer. Areas are more open, piles have been processed, and beds mulched with street leaves. I’m feeling relaxed. There are a couple of winter projects that I’ll take on, including edging the back 40 (ft.)

The coop looks like it is sinking! What’s really happening is that the oak tree near it is maturing and bringing up the Earth! Not sure what to do next!

We at Bee Better Naturally and me personally I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving Day!

December

When I decided on a winter walk, it was at the point in the evening when dinner was made, and sleep was still a ways away. I top-dressed with a goofy hat, gloves, and scarf for a journey down the garden path.

The evening was amazingly quiet. Of course, I have no point of reference since I rarely go into the dark. I usually spend my winter evenings inside, waiting it out. I don’t do dark well. I wait, in anticipation, for the Winter Solstice, the one day I am a pagan.

Along with the moon and anxious eyes, I walk in the winter wonderland. To my delight, the paths are cheery from the glow of the low-voltage lighting. The paths and garden beds make shapes that are familiar yet different. Uplighting shines on selected trees, whose winter form and color are valuable in the landscape. A tree or shrub that would otherwise go unnoticed when in leaf takes center stage now; bare, cold, and in flower or in color. The Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ (coral bark maple) living up to its common name–the lighting brings out the color. The funny thing, though, is the coloring is on new growth. So I need to look out the guest bedroom window to see it! To keep this delight alive, I recently had Southern Lights come to the garden to refurbish the lights for the winter.

Given the short days makes me sad, I like to lighten things up!

For gardening in the Mid-Atlantic, and for me in Raleigh, NC, there is always something to do. I like that. On December 24th and 25th, it was near 70. I started with five layers and need up with a short-sleeve tee shirt.