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Post by gianna on Oct 2, 2023 22:41:14 GMT -5
It's arrived. Burnout. I want the critters to just eat what's left. To think just a couple weeks ago I was all enthused thinking about which peppers I was going to grow next year. Now I just want it to be over. I need a break.
In this part of the world I can garden the entire year. In winter it's onions, greens, lettuce, and some nice flowers. But most years I need to take a break of some sort. This year it's nice my burnout phase has arrived when most folks' gardens are winding down too. It's kind of lonely when enthusiasm is very high for growing things in January, and most folks are hunkered down in the snow. Timing and all.
I still have some nice things growing. Great flowers in front, and the peppers still producing well. Plus late season cabbages and cauliflower. They'll get watered and harvested, and protected if necessary. But when these are done, I'm done (or so I think).
Good thing burnout always passes. Maybe with the next really good seed sale, lol.
Anyone else in burnout mode?
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Post by binnylou on Oct 2, 2023 23:24:36 GMT -5
Can’t give in just yet. Possible frost on the way, and I have stuff in the garden…still. Peppers, celery, squash, tomatoes. Some may get harvested…some may get protected with sheets.
Some/few Dahlias are starting to bloom. They are all in pots, so the blooming ones can be put into the barn…at least until they show me who they are. I may zip tie a name tag to the stalk once I’m sure of a name. Critters…why would they be interested in plant tags?
I’m not ready to let go of the pots of flowers at the front of the house. The Impatiens and Profusion Zinnias will get a cover. The red mums beside the barn are in full glory and will need a cover.
While it’s easier to pitch that blemished tomato over the fence instead of bringing it to the house and trimming away the damage, I’m not ready to let it go. Yet.
I am, however, looking forward to the death of these fruit flies that are in the kitchen.
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Post by Mumsey on Oct 3, 2023 4:52:14 GMT -5
Getting close. Still have leaves to deal with when they fall, plus the field nearby was planted in corn this year. That means a battle with husks. Wish the guy would bale them up like most farmers do. I'm looking forward to the death of the No-See-Ums. They are hanging around a long time this year.
And garlic bed to dig.
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Post by emmsmommy on Oct 3, 2023 5:48:15 GMT -5
Depends on the day. I'm eager to begin cleaning out beds but still have a few things producing. I just know that I simply cannot leave the beds in the shape I did last fall as I've had more weeds than ever this year. I'm going to attempt to spend the nice days outdoors puttering around in the garden and the crappy days inside working on the next quilt project. Maybe that will help alleviate the burnout for another month or so.
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Post by datgirl on Oct 3, 2023 8:10:16 GMT -5
I'm not ready to give it up. I don't like fall, I don't like giving up my garden. I do it because I have to.
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Post by desertwoman on Oct 3, 2023 10:23:43 GMT -5
Definitely. I always welcome the break. But there are still things to do. Need to pick the last chiles, and maybe some tomatoes, prep the garlic bed and plant, and feed the rest of the veggie garden, rake leaves, do a little Fall clean up. Then I'm done.-realistically late October/early November. By February I will be biting at the bit to get started again.
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Post by Latitude33 on Oct 8, 2023 19:29:10 GMT -5
gianna, I am with you sister! Sometimes the extended and shall I say, bipolar gardening seasons in California can create angst?
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Post by binnylou on Oct 9, 2023 9:21:17 GMT -5
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Burnout
Oct 9, 2023 10:20:34 GMT -5
Post by heirloomfan on Oct 9, 2023 10:20:34 GMT -5
It's probably good to recognize you need a break and then take it. Most of us here love gardening, but it can be challenging. This year I can't tell you how many people feel that they had been robbed of the good growing season and late harvests or reduced harvests. It just seemed to be a very challenging year weatherwise for many of us, plus add the insect and animals that raid the garden too.
My garden is winding down but I am starting some things to grow inside. Produce this year has been not great in the grocery stores, so I am hoping to grow some things indoors, we do want to continue to eat something fresh.
So I think it's a good time to take a break too. I'll probably settle in with some good gardening books and then watch for any food seed sales too.
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Post by gianna on Oct 9, 2023 10:27:25 GMT -5
and then watch for any good seed sales too. "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!" ~ Michael Corleone. I did not know he was a gardener with burnout. (quote edited, see next post. )
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Burnout
Oct 9, 2023 10:31:33 GMT -5
Post by heirloomfan on Oct 9, 2023 10:31:33 GMT -5
Mistyped, meant to type Good Seed Sales Too
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Burnout
Oct 9, 2023 10:42:22 GMT -5
Post by desertwoman on Oct 9, 2023 10:42:22 GMT -5
This year I can't tell you how many people feel that they had been robbed of the good growing season and late harvests or reduced harvests. It just seemed to be a very challenging year weatherwise for many of us Count me as one of them!
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Post by pickles on Oct 9, 2023 12:38:53 GMT -5
Did someone say “seed sale”? I really need to quit lurking and reading.
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Burnout
Oct 9, 2023 13:51:16 GMT -5
Post by gardendmpls on Oct 9, 2023 13:51:16 GMT -5
Did someone say “seed sale”? They happen all the time, but especially at the end of the season. Most seed is good for a number of years, so it may be more economical to order at an end of season sale that to wait until the spring and pay full price.
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Post by Mumsey on Oct 9, 2023 15:21:53 GMT -5
I'm trying to balance outdoor work with indoor fun, i.e. quilting. Decided to take a few totes of stuff out daily even though stuff isn't totally dead yet. The leaves and corn husks will keep me plenty busy on a daily basis in a couple weeks. Decided to let the asparagus stand all Winter, one less job to do. The ornamental grasses and hostas will be the last to go. And canna digging, if I can get the ground wet enough before we have to put the hoses away.
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