I know my American followers are busy decorating and cooking for our Thanksgiving holiday. My northern friends have probably done all their garden close-down activities all ready.

Attention southern gardeners in Zone 7. Get ready cause here it comes. That first freeze of the season. I know you are busy, but late is too late.

The North Carolina mountains just got their first snow, which was not greeted with the usual joy due to Hurricane Helene. Our high altitudes are Zone 5.

My piedmont people better step away from the turkey to go unhook garden hoses, empty birdbaths and put potted plants in the ground or inside. Take those last cuttings and bring in your glass rain gauges.

All empty pots need to be turned upside down with the holes covered. If you do not cover the holes, your tiny friends may get trapped inside. I have rescued several screaming mice who crawled in and could not get out.

Before you start thinking that the Flower is back in the saddle, I must confess. I was outside working on a different blog post when the signs let me know it was time.

What signs? Shrivelled elepant ear margins and dozens of stinkbugs in an umbrella I almost brought inside. Then I cheated and checked the weather forecast for the next week.

Never wait until a hard freeze is predicted to prep for winter. In the event of a few degrees in the wrong direction, its too late to rescue those plants, hoses and rainwands.

I popped the last of my plants for my Lavender experiment into the the ground today. I will have to continue collecting data next year thanks to my injury and surgery.

Make a quick sweep of your gardens and then get get back to that turkey. I mean the one in the oven, not the one you married.

Happy Thanksgiving

FLOW