Tearing Out the Garden | Northern California Nature Photographer
It’s past time to tear out the gardens - both the floral cutting garden and the vegetable garden. (My tomatoes are going crazy!!!) After all, it’s November! But, each time I go out to the garden and assess what I need to get started removing the old plants, I see bees, ladybugs, and butterflies. I just cannot begin to remove their food source. And, yes. Even though the hummingbirds should have migrated south, there are still quite a few who are feeding at the feeders. Apparently, there are some who over-winter here.
Of course, the two schools of thought are. Leave the food sources there for the stragglers, or tear everything out so they will move on. My concern is that they will not necessarily move on, but begin to starve. If you have any educated thoughts on this, I’d love to know. It’s a real conflict for me. Soon the weather will turn much colder, rain will arrive, and even frost. That will put an end to the gardens for this year. Somehow, allowing Mother Nature to make this determination feels a little more comfortable than ME making the decision.
For now, I will continue to enjoy my macro lens, freshly cut flowers, and tomato pie!
Seriously. If you have insights with this, I’d love to hear.
Garden Occupants
Peachy Colored Zinnia
honey bee on salvia
You can read more about my floral cutting garden at Cutting Garden.
Although this video is from a couple of years ago, there are still so many hummingbirds that come to my feeders regularly. I have three feeders in the garden and during the peak months of summer I fill them daily with about eight cups of sugar water. Now in the fall, I fill all three about every three days. Aren’t they so fun to watch?!
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As a published, featured northern California fine art photographer living in the greater Sacramento area, I specialize in fine art landscape, nature, and still life photography. My style is authentic, fresh and personality-driven. I offer several educational opportunities including workshops and photography mentoring. You can learn about them by going to SERVICES and WORKSHOPS. While currently living in rural northern California with my husband and a couple thousand walnut trees, I post regularly to Instagram.
Please CONTACT ME with any questions or to schedule your learning session.
Serving Yuba City/Marysville, East Nicolaus, Wheatland, Lincoln, Woodland, Davis, Roseville, Rocklin, and the greater Sacramento area.
(530) 633-7575
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It’s past time to tear out the gardens - both the floral cutting garden and the vegetable garden. (My tomatoes are going crazy!!!) After all, it’s November! But, each time I go out to the garden and assess what I need to get started removing the old plants, I see bees, ladybugs, and butterflies. I just cannot begin to remove their food source.