Garden

[Lilysmom]

With the hurricane becoming tropical storm now upon us, we did a few last minute preps this morning.  

I did a big prune on my strawberry vanilla hydrangea.  I had done my other pruning on hydrangeas mostly over the past week.  They were seriously becoming top heavy so I decided to beat Teddy to the job.

The largest prunes off the strawberry vanilla were over 5' tall...crazy big.

I also decided to harvest some Honeycrisp.  The birds and raccoons have been regular visitors to the apple trees.  

Because the hurricane has become a tropical storm, it's width is huge.  Landfall is expected tomorrow.  It is also a slow moving system so we will experience high winds and heavy rain (100mm) for a good 24 hours.  LM

[OKPrincess]

Good luck weathering the storm tomorrow.

My daughter lives in Houston and is battling TS Beta.

Love your photos.

[roster]

I love strawberry vanilla hydrangeas. Yours is beautiful!! Good luck with the incoming hurricane.

btw: Martha Stewart has many tips on caring for hydrangeas. I just got an email this am on this:

What Should You Do About Hydrangea Bushes That Are Getting Too Big?

Restore your overgrown, floppy hydrangeas with these tips.

I'd send the link, but not sure if it will be allowed.

[Still Raining]

You were wise to prepare, I am sure your garden thanks you.

[spiderw]

Your gardens are so lovely!  I have an apple tree in my front yard and I had so many apples this year.  I am not sure what kind of apples they are but the apple pies were delicious!!!!

I can't believe how many hurricanes are active this year and between all the fires and hurricanes it is very scary.  I hope you are safe and sound during the storm and no damage occurs.  Take care and be well.

[wagirl]

@Lilysmom --what do you do with the apples?

[Lilysmom]

@OKPrincess , yes too many storms!  Into the Greek alphabet now with Beta I am guessing.  

The rain has stopped for now and the winds are picking up.  Calling for 130 mm now.  Could have used some of that in August!  LM

[Lilysmom]

@Still Raining @Sometimes it is hard to prune when everything looks nice but the aftermath of Teddy would not have been good I am sure.  The pruning shears are kinder on the shrub!  LM

[Lilysmom]

@wagirl , these apples make great pies.  I will let them ripen some more as they are a Fall crop and will freeze a load of pies.  DH loves them.  LM

[Lilysmom]

@roster , hydrangeas do very well on my property.  Some times a forced pruning is a good thing as they can get very top heavy, especially the standards.  LM