Finding fall interest in my edible landscape

We are at the end of October and I am amazed and delighted at how much of what is growing in my front yard edible landscape is still green and healthy! My fear of an ugly dead mud pit for a garden has not materialized. The garden is, of course, responding to the change of season and the annuals and summer perennials are fading and dying but they are changing into beautiful brown, orange and gold sculptures, freezing the plants in a moment of time. This is the fall 'interest' in my garden, a variation on the theme.


 

Dried seeds, pods, flower heads and leaves are now mingled with the green living plants, providing texture and punctuation to the garden. It is fading, yes, but with it comes the promise of new life. Many of the seed heads will be a food source for birds over the winter, so I will not remove them. I will cut down the perennials, though, that are prone to disease to help prevent pathogens surviving in the plant material.

Still growing strong are kale, Swiss chard, cabbage, winter radishes and perennial herbs.  It will be interesting to see how this garden changes into a winter landscape. Living in New England, I shouldn't have long to wait to find out.

Sue