One thing we can’t control is Mother Nature. Last night was the first freeze of the 2014 vegetable season. I thought about dragging all of my sheets and blankets out to cover the garden and extend the season. Then I thought, ‘Who am I kidding?’

The season is coming to a close. All the plants have matured and grown the most they will. The inevitable is coming. Winter. Oh how I wish I enjoyed winter to make it easier on myself. I just don’t. In fact I spent 10 years in the south before I moved back to South Dakota. Instead, winter will be time for decluttering, detailed cleaning and any so called ‘Winter Projects’. The following are photos of the result of the freeze we had last night. The lows reached to 26 degrees.

My tomatoes and peppers are no more.

My arbor looks bare. My neighbor boys filled in.

I really wanted these 4 O’Clocks to mature because of the multi colored blooms. I hope I find more like this for next season.

The back view of the vegetable garden. The green beans are done. The root crops are fine. I have beets and carrots.

My showy orange cosmos like flowers’ leaves have wilted.

My Spaghetti Squash.

On the south side of my house the majority of the flowers were spared.

Now I will be able to get the rest of the side of the house painted once it warms up.

Cosmos are done for sure and most of my zinnias.

My petunias, hostas, and ground cover made it.

The foliage and impatiens didn’t make it.

The mums are hearty. I bought them last year and was happy they came up.

Only some of the impatiens froze.

And so the season is coming to an end. Some plants I will over winter for next year. Others will have to be bought again.

Don’t get me wrong. I do love the fall colors of the leaves on the trees. Fall is also a time for church suppers where it is wonderful to gather and meet old friends.

There will be some warmer days ahead and I plan to be outside cleaning up beds where this season’s vegetables were. For now I will enjoy the ones that made it through the first freeze of the season.