The end of another season

Fall is upon us. The grass is fading and my tiny crop of tomatoes are harvested. I have a list that feels a mile long of unfinished garden (well, yard) business. I expect to have a few days this September to devote to the garden, but most of my energy will have to be directed towards improving the weather-proofing around the (drafty) house. 

I can be happy that we had a tree tour by an Arbourist, and I'm very excited to be starting an online class in Landscape Design.  After a year of surfing the internet for garden design ideas and suggestions, I'm finally going to start getting some credit for it ;) My year of self-imposed "study" of the landscape is nearing an end.

In other news, I'm planning a trip to New York in a couple weeks, once my current gig is over. Some art, some shopping, and a trip to the very tip of Manhattan to see Piet Oudolf's gardens at Battery Park. Unfortunately the Highline won't be open yet. I've generally been more of a shrubs and conifers gal in my garden interests, but lately the Oudolf and Oehme, van Sweden perennials designs have been pulling me elsewhere.... 

So with that in mind, here's a snap of the front steps in summer. Perhaps I'll keep that grass after all!