I've been very lucky because, although right before Halloween, we had a few nights that dipped into the mid 40s F (8ish C), I've experienced a rather balmy autumn. I was still enjoying near perfect temperatures, at least perfect for me, since I love moderately warm days and cool nights when a cold front came through last night. When I feared I would be caught off guard and lose all my herbs to frost (or worse, a hard freeze), I finally bit the bullet and decided regardless of the fact my left shoulder and right wrist were still not fully functional, I had to bring my herbs in. One thing I've learned in all this is, soft tissue injuries do NOT heal quickly or easily. I can remember the years I could get both my "flower bed" as well as my herb garden ready for winter in a single day. This has taken me much longer, I fear.
This is what my herb garden looked like in mid-September. We had a late rain spurt, which made everything grow like crazy. Not too long after that, I cut most of the herbs back and harvested them.
This is what my herb garden looked like this afternoon (Friday). I got out bright and early this morning and surveyed the damage, but didn't think to take any "before" photos. Thankfully, I had not lost anything since we didn't get the frost that was originally anticipated. I spent most of the day bringing in the plants I wanted to overwinter. The many, many boxes came from my friend Sally's garage. They had already sustained water damage before I got them, so I was thrilled to be able to use them in my garden, rather than seeing them go to the trash (in my city, cardboard and other paper that has water damage cannot be recycled). However, this is the way I left the garden today, because I had truly overdone the lifting.
Although I found saucers for all the pots that didn't have one, I still thought to lay down a towel. I suspect both Bleubeard and Squiggles will soon find a way to play among the lavender in the dining area, because this is where they both drag their cat toys. 
I brought in more plants this year than last year, so I now have a huge mess I didn't actually anticipate in my living room.
I will probably leave the dill, thyme, and rosemary here, but take some of the flowering plants to the dining area. I didn't realize how crowded it would be, since I hadn't brought so many herbs in last year. However, this was all I was able to accomplish today, especially since I had to load photos onto my computer and soak my swollen arm and wrist. The rearranging will have to wait till another day.Today is Day 7 of AEDM and I spent the day bringing my herbs into the house to overwinter. I realize this may not seem like art, but it's artful, necessary, and some people actually seem to enjoy my herb garden updates. Thanks for looking, and of course, thanks for your generous comments.
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15 thoughtful remarks:
alright, what did you do with your arm and wrist? I have one of those carpel tunnel wrist and hand wraps in my drawer because I too have similar soft tissue problems. I hate that it happens. You did great in your garden, i'm crossing my fingers that the pain you're in goes away soon, like tomorrow. I especially want your rosemary. I LOVE fresh rosemary on potatoes and I have a sweet potato in the fridge screaming to be paired with it, lol. SO since you're still above zero, are you on the west coast? I'm in BC, Canada. Get better soon my friend.
This is edible art, and that's something good. Hope the pains from all the work you did soon subside, take care of yourself. Have a great day, perhaps with more rest? Hugs, Valerie
I imagine the wonderful smell in your house right now. I love herbs, though I am not a grower of them (or anything else) myself; I love to visit public gardens and always reach down to touch every fragrant plant. Hope your hand and shoulder problem sorts itself out. Like you say, it usually takes some time, and then one day one realizes that it hasn´t hurt for days!
I must have missed the bit where you damaged your arm and wrist, so sorry, I know exactly how you feel when you try and do things you normally do with ease! I hurt my wrist months ago and it still hasn't got better. One of the reasons I slowed down so much on the computer and scrapping, it was too painful to do it for hours on end.
Oh my the Girls were so upset to hear you'd injured your arm and wrist. They send snuggly hugs and kisses. And I hope you heal soon. I love watching your garden grow and you're inventive ways of mulching. Do take care my friend. Hugs
You did a fabulous job - although you are handicapped - keep care Elizabeth - wishing the best for you - feel better and strong soon !
Your masterboard backgrounds are great! I use such a net for under the carpet as well to spray through it and even to stamp with a bit of it..
I inherited it from my mother. She loved to put little carpets everywhere...lol
Happy SAturday to you!
oxo
Susi
I grew Basil (which bit the dust in the first hard frost even tho it was on the covered porch) thyme, rosemary and parsley. The latter 3 are still going strong under cover of the porch roof but will no doubt die when it gets colder. I don't have a sunny spot indoors so I'll just get new plants in the spring. I do have basil growing in the only consistently sunny window though as I do use it a lot all year. Looks like you enjoy yours all winter, eh? Good for you that you have a good spot for them. Enjoyed the post.
"some people actually seem to enjoy my herb garden updates." Yes, indeed! I sympathize with the plant take-over. Yours look so healthy. :) I think arranging the plants into attractive displays is a creative/artistic endeavor.
My plants are all still outside, but I'm keeping an eye on them. I tend to leave it til the last minute just because of the space they take up inside.
I hope you're feeling better soon. Don't overdo :)
You are brave my friend. Gracie eats any plant she can get a hold of inside the house. Little brat. I hope you are able to overwinter those awesome plants indoors. I still may dig up my rosemary as I was told it won't make it outdoors for sure...other than that...those plants are on their own. :)
Wonderful! How nice to have them inside all winter long with you! I have tropicals that have to come in (very prolific corn plants that I keep trying to gift to people, spiders, philodendron and a very large peace lilly, also a xmas cactus that blooms thanksgiving to easter that belonged to my mom. She got a piece of it when I was around 8. I still have it. I love that. :)
Hope you haven't over done it with all of the work ! I still have a few things outside that I'm undecided on bringing them in or not. Since there is no room in the basement this year I have to decide if I can live with Bob's grumbling all winter, about the plats cluttering up the place :( He's not a fan of houseplants and only tolerates the ones I keep inside all year and I have very limited light sources for plants.
I think growing is creating, which is art. I also think there are days when cooking, baking or cleaning is art. All of life can be art if we make it so. How did you hurt your wrist?
I always wanted a garden like that but never got one. It seems so nice.
I love seeing any part of your garden Elizabeth, I can imagine the beautiful aroma now! I do hope your wrist isn't still complaining at what you made it do! Chrisx
Gosh that is a lot of work and a mighty fine array of herbs you have there.
Hope you are feeling much much better.
You may have to slow down a bit and give your arm and wrist a rest...easier said than done I know when things are needing doing.
I hope our tuft of dill out in the garden is still there...you inspired me to make some cucumber salad :-)
oxo
p.s. I see it's raining
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