While I am eagerly embracing autumn with all its splendor and cooler weather, I will miss all the flowers with their equally eager engagers.

Special moments.

Some of my favorites are just coming into bloom.

Nature is so amazing!

Jewel Weed …Touch-me-not (or I will burst).

This year I decided to try a new variety of yellow tomato in the vegetable garden. “Gold Medal”

The vines grew rapidly and looked green and lush, so I was anticipating a huge crop!

Not so!

Even though they bloomed heavily, so far, each vine has managed to produce only one nice tomato.

They are beautiful and delicious, but I won’t be growing them again.

My eggplant is blooming. Such pretty flowers!

Late summer/early autumn cleanup is beginning in the garden. I like to get an early start on it while the weeds and spent foliage are still green and make great material for the compost pile. I will be assured of having lots of yummy, black loamy compost for next years plantings.

Looking at the task as a whole is rather intimidating to say the least!

I prefer to use the “eating an elephant” approach and tackle it one yard (three feet) at a time.

It is going to require some deep thought, but at the top of the list is the dehydrating of some really rambunctious basil.

Cosmos are the star in the late-summer garden.