I know I promised a week of travel stories and photos, but in the meantime, there have been more pressing issues in the garden.
Here’s the situation. I am not done gardening for the season. No way, no how. There’s more to be done. My sage is acting like it has no issues with the current weather pattern, the rosemary’s still good, even the 
tarragon looks pretty happy out there. And I have leafy greens growing. Lots and lots of leafy greens.
The problem? They’re leafier than usual, thanks to the black walnut tree’s annual shedding of its own leafy coat. The dried leaves are piled up amidst my greens, piled so high, in fact, that the arugula is pretty much choking to death, and the rest of the greens aren’t so thrilled either.
I’ve taken to raking the leaves out with my hands, trying hard not to rip out any actual wanted plants with them. But I can’t help wishing for some sort of selective leaf vacuum, one that would aim its powers of suction only at the dried-up, unwanted leaves, and would not bother the growing plants. It’s my own little garden fantasy.
But if you and yours are aware of any great shortcut techniques to make this process easier, they would be most welcome. Now that the time has changed, I’m pretty much relegated to doing this in the dark and cold, which means I’m trying to be as efficient as possible.
on Nov 7th, 2007 at 7:36 am
It’s not the greenest thing in the world and you rent, but I’ve got an electric leaf blower/vacuum thingy (Toro, Black and Decker? I can’t remember) that sucks up leaves without harming
the bedding plants. The bonus is it mulches the leaves as well, easier for composting!
on Nov 7th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Ditto — I use my electric leaf blower that both blows and sucks (oh, that didn’t come out quite right…) — blows the leaves away, or vacuums them up. A gentle blowing will take care of those black walnut leaves, or if you use it like a vacuum, you can empty the bag into your compost pile.
on Nov 7th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
I’m afraid a leaf blower would injure the greens myself. The tools always seem too awkward in sensitive and tight places. I’m more of a claw-at-it-with-my-grubby-fingernails kinda gal. Gloves help if you remember them.
–Robin (Bumblebee)
on Nov 8th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
first thought was leaf blower, which I don’t own and hope to never own, but you did ask for easy and isn’t technology always easier ;’)
on Nov 11th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Steven, very interesting — I wonder how they get it to leave the bedding plants alone?
Lydia, yes — adding it to the compost is an excellent idea!
Robin, for now, I’m sticking with the by-hand method.
Wayne, technology’s always easier…until it stops working!
on Nov 29th, 2007 at 1:27 am
I love leafy greens! “If your green on the inside, your clean on the inside.” I cannot remember where I heard that quote. The weeding by the hand method is never fun.