There are always some common comments
and questions raised in August. One frequent refrain this month
(besides when will the rain stop?): “Where did summer go?” For
the most part, it has been rainy and cool; and now it's almost back
to school time. The last week has even seen temperatures dip into the
forties and wood stoves lit.
Another common question these last few
weeks regards the upcoming winter and predictions. Granted, there
are a lot of apples this year on the trees and the acorn crop is
heavy. Both are viewed in weather folklore as signs of an upcoming
harsh winter.
Another weather saying used in August
regards fog. If there's a lot of heavy fog in August, it predicts a
snowy, cold winter ahead. There has been plenty of fog around the
first 15 days of August, although who really has kept track of the
number of fogy weather days?
How high in the trees the wasps are
making their nest is another indicator of the upcoming winter, but
there's a lot of leaves on the trees and it's hard to see the wasp
nests. And it's a tad to early to see how frantically the squirrels
are gathering nuts.
Mid-August begins the weather lore and
for gardeners begins a new planting season. It is time to plant more
beans, peas, lettuce and some root crops such as red beets and
turnips. Some vegetables just don't worry about and can handle a
light frost. For some thoughts and ideas about what to plant,
ExtraHarvest.
Returning back to the weather for a
moment, no Wooly Bears have been seen yet, but it won't be long.
It's Almost Sunchoke Time
The native sunchokes will be ready
soon after the first frost. Also called inaccurately, Jerusalem
artichokes, these tasty and healthy tuber can be used like potatoes
or eaten raw in salads.
The sunchokes, members of the
sunflower family, are about ready to bloom. The flowers are
attractive and enjoyed by many bees, yellow finches and hummingbirds.
For more details and information on
these native plants and when and where to plant them.
GoldenSunchokes.
A Sunny Window to Keep the Mediterranean Diet for Winter
The healthy Mediterranean Herb, Rosemary, can be brought inside and placed in a sunny window when the weather gets colder. It really can't take our severe and cold winters. It does make for a nice houseplant and can be harvested all winter for kitchen uses. It is a no nonsense, healthy and flavorful plant which doesn't require a lot of upkeep. Explore more about this Herb,
Rosemary.
Some Fall Projects
If you don't plant
healthy garlic, now is the time to consider and get a garden bed ready. Garlic is normally planted in late September or October in northwestern Pennsylvania. More details and information at,
GARLIC
Bats are in trouble with White-nose syndrome, a deadly disease. Bats strike terror into nightime flying insects, mainly the pesky and disease carrying mosquito. Build a bat house this fall or winter and help the bats. For more information,
Batty for Bats
Getting firewood together for the upcoming winter is a typical past time in northwestern Pennsylvania. Consider building brush piles for wildlife when your cutting wood. Learn and see what animals come and go from pile and learn how to make it attractive year round.
Brush Pile.
Good Blogs to Visit
Kathleen always makes me hungry when she publishes this blog.
Sam is a great historian and writer; always a fascinating story about local northwestern Pennsylvania history.
Go Crawford - features events in southern Erie County and Crawford County
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