While it’s starting to feel just a little bit like summer is going to soon start winding down, we have lots of new blooms around the farm! We notice the shortening days because of the chickens. While we used to struggle to get them in the coop at 8:30 in the evening, so we could have some relaxing time before going to bed, now they are mostly getting themselves in by 8. We had gotten used to eating supper a little later, but now we need to start moving it up so we’re done eating before it’s time to close them up!
Our weather has been warmer, though rainier, lately so we still feel like we have some time left (even though a cool down is coming starting today). September can be warm around here too. I just don’t want the nights to get too cool yet, because that slows the gardens down. We are transitioning from summer maintenance of the garden (weeding) to mostly just harvesting, but some things still have a ways to go. I gave up on the weeding when the squash and pumpkin plants sent runners out into all the pathways. They send out little shoots that wrap around the weeds, which makes it impossible to pull them without risking harm to the plants. I’ve had enough of weeding anyway! Picking and digging up vegetables is much more fun!
Here’s some photos of what’s colorful recently:
The below photo is a few weeks old, and most of the daylilies are now gone by, though a few still open here and there. We had so many different colors this year!
These are one of the more persistent ones, a more recent photo, and one of my favorites, with the two-tone.
Yellows are always a favorite too, and the coreopsis has a similar two-tone color scheme to those lilies. That one is also an older photo and they are mostly gone by now as well.
These yellow beauties are just getting started though! I’m not sure I ever figured out what these are called; I honestly can’t remember. So many flowers, so little memory!
Luke wants to be counted as something colorful around here, he is still sporting his summer bandana! We are also still enjoying almost daily walks in our woods. We love the warmer mornings and the lack of ticks (though we know they’ll be back). The mosquitoes are still persistent though, we won’t be sad when they are gone!
Back to some lilies….these white ones are just blossoming now, and they are the only “true” lilies on the farm.
I’ve been waiting impatiently for the phlox to finally come into bloom! It seems late this year, and I was starting to worry that it had gotten pushed out by something else. Thankfully it didn’t! I love it’s sweet, subtle scent and will be cutting some to bring into the house.
Last but not least, we’ll have another edition of “Meet the New Girls”. Last week you met Roxanne, and this week we have Martha and Mary, our Columbian Rock Crosses. I can only tell them apart when they are together, since Martha is a bit bigger than Mary. They have always been a bit friendlier than some of the others too. I believe that Martha will be laying her first egg, the first layer of this group, soon! When we reach down to pet her, she crouches, which is a first sign, along with the fact that her comb and wattles have gotten very red. You can see how much bigger and redder hers are than Mary’s.
That’s the news from around the farm. Can you feel summer slowing down where you are?
Thanks to our friends The LLB Gang for hosting the Nature Friday blog hop. Please visit them and other blogs through the links below!
Martha and Mary are adorable and your colors are gorgeous! I am a HUGE fan of Fall, so for me, it can’t arrive fast enough!
I do love fall too, but usually I’m more ready for it after a hot summer. It hasn’t been that hot this summer here, so I don’t feel ready yet! LOL
Such beautiful blooms! Yes, we’ve noticed the daylight is beginning to wane a bit, now if only the heat would. 😊
I’d be happy to send you some of our cooler weather. We only used our air conditioner once all summer!!
You are so right about the days getting shorter. I have been letting the dogs out for the first time at 5 AM, and it was light outside now it’s not – And of course school is starting too. All signs of fall! But I love all your flowers and the bright colors that are such welcome color when our gardens are ending their growing season.
The dark mornings are the worst part for me. I need light to wake up! LOL
Every photo is so beautiful!
Thank you, JoAnn!!
We’ve lost a half hour of daylight in the morning and evening. I hate the time change when it gets dark at 5:30 but I long for the cooler weather.
I can only imagine!! It really hasn’t been much of a summer here. Well, lots of sun, but not very hot.
Martha and Mary are cute and so is Luke 🙂 I say bring on the fall 🙂 Now that I have hot flashes, I can’t stand the summer.
But they’re very nice in the winter, that is, if you can get them to come at the right time (NOT the middle of the night when your snuggled warmly under the blankets!!). LOL
The late summer flowers are beautiful. 🙂
We just hope they last a while!
Well, around here the most prolific signs of summer this year have been the bees and other flying insects. I’m hoping fall gets here soon so we can plug up the holes leading to the bees’ nests. I can’t remember a summer when they’ve been so prolific, in the backyard at least. And you know how Ducky feels about them.
Your flowers are very pretty! And I love Luke’s summer bandanna too!
The bugs, including bees, have been bad here this year too. We need the bees for the gardens, but stumbling across a big hive when hunting for a guinea’s nest, is NOT good. Luckily hubby only got stung once. 🙁
I love the colors of spring and summer.
Have a fabulous day and weekend. ♥
Autumn will be pretty too, but late autumn and winter I long for that summer color!!
Such wonderful photos and you look so spiffy and handsome Luke!
Luke thanks you!! ♥
Love all of your beautiful flowers and we agree that the scent of Phlox is wonderful! Martha and Mary have such beautiful darker feathers on their necks. And no, we didn’t forget about you, handsome Luke!
They are very pretty birds, the contrasting feathers on their necks are definitely striking.
Awww, so pretty!! I love all the color you have.
We hope it continues for a while yet! We’ve had some scary cool nights (40’s) which made me nervous! 🙂
What beautiful flowers you still have blooming, this Summer has really flown by, hasn’t it??
It sure has!!
yes Luke you are colorful too… and your eyes have the pawfect summer look ;O)
Summer browns. 🙂
Martha and Mary are beautiful, as are all your flowers. We are so happy this summer has been much cooler than normal and we love the cool mornings for our runs and walks. It feels like fall and we hope that continues. You can have the warmer stuff 🙂
I imagine this has been a mostly ideal summer for you! We didn’t get much heat, and when you were complaining about it recently, we were only in the 70’s!!
Don’t worry, Luke. We know you are colorful and full of life. I really enjoy learning about all the kinds of chickens. I had no idea there were so many – and they are all gorgeous!
It is amazing how many different breeds of chickens there are! It’s fun researching them and deciding what to get next. 🙂