Looking for a way to spend some time outside on this absolutely perfect fall afternoon but also having a list of chores that seemed never-ending was my struggle today.
Chores, smores – I grabbed the pup and headed outside. She was happy, and so was I. We played in the yard, and she tracked all the wildlife that had been to visit overnight. It was good, but since I was outside, I figured I might as well do a little cleanup.
First, I cleared off a trellis that had been the base for my hyacinth bean vine. This vine with the dark greenish purple leaves had climbed the frame and topped it with dainty flowers.
I picked the seed pods last week, so this was just cleaning up the annual vine and storing the bamboo trellis until next year. As the seed pods dry, I shell them like beans and harvest the black and white seeds to share with friends and plant next spring.
I also drained the front water hose and put the protector over the outdoor water faucet. As I worked to bring the hose into the garage, I was faced with one of my embarrassing habits. I will admit to you – I am a box hoarded.
I hoard cardboard shipping boxes like I will never see another Amazon or Chewy delivery.
It is ridiculous, and today was the day I took back the space. Oh, as I began breaking down the boxes, the full extent of my excess became clear. I had little boxes inside bigger boxes and big boxes inside of even bigger boxes. Good grief.
I spent what felt like hours peeling labels and flattening boxes to be recycled.
Where did they all come from? Earlier in the year, I painted the inside of the garage and added a few shelves and hooks, but I guess I overlooked the mountain of cardboard.
Once that was done, I had space to move pots around and prepare for my next project. Since the afternoon was still warm and sunny, I began digging up dahlia tubers. Last year, I made a mistake storing them, and they were mush in the spring. I am being more careful this year.
After trimming the stalks, I lifted the tubers from the containers, shaking off any excess soil. I placed them into a slotted tray to dry and will move them to the basement workshop for winter storage. Storing them in a dark, dry, but not freezing spot should keep them healthy and ready to be planted next spring.
With my newfound garage space, I can easily store the dahlia pots and others. I still have mums and cabbage outside and hope to keep them with my pumpkins until Thanksgiving. So, there will be a few more plant containers to move indoors later in the month.
I also have containers in the back gardens. I will move the smaller ones into the potting shed and the bigger ones closer to the house and under a roof. I have friends who group their outdoor containers together and then cover them with a heavy plastic tarp. This works; just be sure to secure the tarp so water can’t get in when the wind blows.
I have more to do outside. A few last-minute bulbs and garlic to plant and a bit more cleanup before winter arrives. But for now, the pup and I will enjoy the sunny fall afternoons outside and put off indoor chores for a cold rainy day.