I was out cutting dahlias for the house the other day and found myself cutting a few hydrangeas that had taken on that beautiful blushing pale pink tinge in their flowers. As I cut, the thought occurred, “Oh, another summer ends. Where did it go?” Fall always seems to sneak up on me this way. You would think that I would see it coming and, I guess, one part of me does. But there is always this other part that is taken by surprise when it is time to cut flowers for drying, to think about storing bulbs and digging up those flowers you want to save. Those activities mark yet another transition into another season and, in Maine, into another way of life for many months.

As the summer ends each year and the time comes for the extra quilt on the bed, I always try to bring some new life into the house. Something to sustain the nurturing part of my soul through the cold months ahead. So last year’s dried flowers head to the compost pile and new ones, in small bunches, begin coming in. There are strawflowers, garlic chive blossoms and Bells of Ireland hanging in small bunches from doorknobs everywhere. And I always lose a few of those bunches to our kitties, Angus and Newt, who believe I hang them there just for their entertainment. It does make you laugh when they appear with flower petals stuck in their whiskers.

Drying tiny roses

Baskets have begun filling with hydrangea blossoms that dry just fine in that environment as long as they are not in the sun. Small vases sport little bouquets of pink roses from the fairy bushes, the Tesselears and the Carefree Wonder. I have found that if you pick them, remove the lower leaves and put an inch of water in the bottom of a small vase, they will dry very nicely in about three weeks. They keep their color and the few that droop can be removed before they are placed in baskets for display or made into tiny bouquets to put on gift packages or around jars of jam for the holidays.

At this time of year, I also try to buy a few new plants for the house for the winter. Something new that I will have to learn about and that will provide a new project. I have discovered a wonderful secret about many of the stores in Maine, especially in tourist areas near the coast. Many of them sell the plants that have decorated pathways and porches all summer because they have nowhere to winter them over. I got a wonderfully large, healthy passion flower plant for a very good price because it was after Labor Day and it would be hit by frost soon.

So think about cutting some of those blooms in your garden for drying, find some hydrangeas to keep and buy a living thing to keep you company this winter that will provide your hands with at least a little dirt. Enjoy the bright blue sky, go pick some apples and make a pie, plan a quilt to keep your hands busy over winter and treasure your family and friends. If God is willin’ and the creek don’t rise, I will talk with you in the spring!

Happy gardening!

Jody Goodwin has been gardening for more than 20 years. She lives in Turner with her husband, Ike, her two dogs and two cats. She can be reached by writing to her in care of the Sun Journal, 104 Park St., Lewiston, Maine, 04243-4400 or by e-mail at [email protected]