November switched quickly to darkness in the afternoon. Sure we have more light in the morning for awhile. Some people may prefer the coziness of staying home but I do not. I like spending hours out in my garden after work. This time of year, I am prepping the garden for spring, and planting a few of the crops I grow in the winter like fennel, beets, carrots, radishes and leeks. The fennel seeds came from a seed library box I saw in northern California. I love that idea of sharing with your neighbors. They are a collective they puts up boxes throughout the area with seeds in them instead of books. I’ll plant lettuce too as it grows quickly here. More importantly, I lay down compost and worm castings to perk up the soil. I am eager to plant my sweet peas. I bought 10 different kinds and I will grow them everywhere. I find if you plant them densely, they support each other. I also found a short variety that I will try in a container.
Our weather in southern California switched from very warm 80’s to low 60’s with a huge storm arriving on Thursday night. It hasn’t stopped raining since. We have already gotten 3.5 inches of rain and it is suppose to keep up through Monday with some lighter periods on Sunday. This year is the first time in years that I can recall heavy rain in September, October and November. No one in California will complain about this, since we always need rain here. It was predicted to be a dry year, and who knows, it might be starting in January. We shall see. But as far as I can see, no one predicted getting 4 inches or more of rain in November. All these rains have been followed by warm, dry periods. But after this storm finishes on Monday, we are predicted to have another storm on Thursday and Friday next week.
With all the rain, we got in September and October, followed by the warm weather, my tomato plants, which I had cut back, completely filled out and started growing more tomatoes. Our white narcissus which usually blooms in December started blooming at the beginning of the month. Our freesia are already up as well. The plants are confused. On the plus side, I was able to pick figs right up until last weekend. I do see a few more small ones, which could bloom if it gets warm, otherwise, they just won’t develop in the cooler weather.
As a big surprise, last week I was trimming back plants when I saw a gulf fritillary on my giant purple zinnias. I had never seen one before my trip to North Carolina in October, and now here I had one in my own garden. I remember reading that the California ones prefers passion fruit vines, of which there are none at my house. But I am glad I could supply some nectar for its voyage. Oddly, this butterfly let me take several pictures of it and did not move on even after I had.
The good thing about rainy days is getting those projects done that you have been putting off inside the house. Organizing drawers and closets. Cleaning out the pantry shelves of old flour when you notice the pantry moths. Cleaning out the top shelf of the fridge where things go to die. None of these things matter much when it is beautiful outside and you just want to be with your plants.
Before you blink it will be Thanksgiving here in the States and then the next day (or so it seems) it will be the winter holidays of Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Yule, Kwanzaa and New Years. But we will talk of these things later. Right now I plan to sit next to a warm fire and read for awhile.
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Reflections Outside My Window 