Still on the subject of time, I look around today at the thinning leaves on the branches, the sea of copper oak leaves on the grass, and I can’t believe that just about two weeks ago it looked like the pictures below.
The fig tree made it up pretty big this year! As I’ve said before, being from Alabama where figs really grow into tree sized, this still seems like a fig bush to me.
It’s a brown turkey fig tree (bush) and this year for the first time we had several handfuls of delicious figs. Incredibly, this hot spot against the south facing wall is still a little too shaded by a neighboring sycamore tree to bear fully. The figs don’t really ripen till October. By that time the sun has dropped low enough for the sycamore to cast shade. Hmmm. I’d like to plant another higher on the property to get *more* sun. Amazing that the Arkansas Ozark sun is still not quite enough for these guys!
This narrow leaf sunflower was a beauty this year.
This was one of the last monarchs to emerge. This was his first hour of morning sunshine. His wings were still soft. I hope he caught a strong tailwind and made it down to warmer climes before the first frost we had on October 25th or so.
So it will be many months till it looks like this again. But there’s plenty to do, designing, reading and dreaming of the garden 2009! Thanks for stopping by Larrapin for a look back to two weeks ago. The next post will be a Buckeye update!
3 Comments
I, too, have struggled to get my fig “bush” to produce ripe figs in Fayetteville — I grew up in Louisiana, so this can’t be called a tree! I’ve probably eaten 5 figs off it in the past 5 years. I’ve been plotting to move it to a spot near the south (brick) wall of our home. It sounds like you are having some luck with yours, so I think I’m going to try it! I can place it where it won’t get shade. Yeah, another garden project!
Beckie, so glad you asked! I’m going to post about the gals today. I do love the figs and sure hope I’ll get enough next year to make even one jar of fig jam – a particular favorite! Right now I’m thrilled to have a jar of homemade pear jam made by a friend’s grandpa. Yum!
Figs, I’m so jealous! My aunt had a huge fig tree in Louisiana and made the most wonderful fig jam. I wouldn’t blame you if you planted 2 or 3 more. Your gardens were lovely this year, but I know it will be fun to plan even more for next year. BTW, how are the ‘girls’ doing? (chickens that is)