The last kettle of tomato sauce is simmering on the stove and I am beginning to pull up tomato plants. This morning I cut back the basil which had gone to seed and hope it will  provide me with some new leaves. In the front of the house I cut back cleome. They will put out blooming sides shoots. I also cut back the Knock-out roses which should give me a flush of new blooms in a couple of weeks. We had some welcome rain on Friday, but we need more.

On a writing note, the third novel in my Caribbean series will go to the proofer at the end of this month. It’s been a long haul, but I’m happy with my paranormal romance set in the Caribbean. Just FYI… it’s not a bodice ripper. It should be available on Amazon sometime this fall. 

1. The striped zinnia’s I raised from seed have only given me an orange/red and a white/pink. I’ve had a photo of the orange/red before but couldn’t resist showing it again. I will definitely save seeds from these two.

2. Joe Pye is begining to bloom. It seems to be later than in other people’s gardens, but I am just glad to have it back. Two years ago I dug most of it out. Not sure now why I did that, but at the time it seemed like a good idea. Now I’ve put back smaller plants and will have to wait for them to get to be a good size.

3. Beauty Berry is setting seeds. They will turn a vivid violet in late summer. The drought has been problematic for them and even with watering I wondered if they would set seeds.

4. Coleus and impatiens in the front window boxes are thriving. I’ve had to cut the coleus back twice or we wouldn’t be able to see out of the windows. Next year I’ll see if I can get seeds for a variety that doesn’t get so tall. I do like the color of this coleus with the Sunpatiens that tolerate the late afternoon sun of my drip irrigated window boxes.

5. This is the area (marked by flags) where my naked lady lilies should be coming up. No sign of anything yet. I saw one in a neighbor’s garden on my morning walk so I’m wondering what’s going on. I think I have to be patient — not my long suit.

6. Sedum Autumn Joy will be glorious in a month.

That’s my six for this week as we head toward fall. The meme was started by The Propogator, a UK gardener. I learn something every week from the participating gardeners. This is the link to the rules if you’d like to join in. 

#lovemygarden