...and some to grow on!

I have mentioned in the past the my garden survives on benign neglect, but even so, I do try to help out the plants, on occasion. Today, I whipped up some liquid fertilizer and fed all the roses on the property. I noticed they were beginning to spin off some Fall grow, and after checking my favorite handbook, Pat Welsh's Southern California Gardening Guide, I found that it was indeed time to feed. One small job off my list!

As I was out in the garden, I was also reminded that it was time to do a little pre-rainy season cleanup around here. While I love how many trees we have on the property, they can lead to a few problems. We have tons of leaf drop every year and it is almost more than I can handle. I have been remiss in cleaning up for the last few months, but now the neighbors may be treated to the odd site of me on the rooftop with a push broom, or even my leaf blower.

The fact is, I need to clear the roof before the first rains arrive. I have seen leaves dam up the water on the roof and force it back under the shingles in a very heavy downpour. I certainly don't need to be inviting any damage to the house, so up I go. It isn't really a lot of work, but I am not terribly comfortable up there, especially on the steep angle of the addition in the back. I will take the opportunity, though, to do a little light pruning on the trees that I can reach more easily from the roof. Might as well get as much done as I can.

Looking in my journal, I see that Halloween night was our first rain of the season last year, so I have a little time. Still, I don't want to be surprised by an early storm.