Autumn is a beautiful season at Bridge Gardens! The heat of summer days has given way to cooler temperatures and gentle rain. The weeding schedule has eased as the garden comes into its full bursting beauty; one last blooming performance before the sharp snap of frost coats the earth. The vegetable garden bears its last late summer fruits and darkens with the thick rich leaves of cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and arugula. For all of this, I am grateful and reflective. Summer happens at such a pace that it's easy to get lost in the day to day tasks of 'just' keeping ahead. So let us take a moment to give one last nod to the extraordinary 2014 summer season at the Garden!

Bridge Gardens hosted over a dozen Connections programs, inviting supporters to learn new skills, experience the beauty of summer blooms and relax in a unique haven amidst the bustle of the East End. From lessons on composting, rose garden cultivation, herb growing, sustainable lawn care to watercolor lessons and music in the evenings, I hope you were inspired and our sincere gratitude for all of your support.  We have one last program, our annual wreath workshop with Diana Conklin on Sunday, December 7. Space is limited, so please RSVP early!

I also hope you were able to join us for our latest program, Stars Over Bridge Gardens. Thank you to John Turner who led us on a celestial journey on a beautiful September evening. I would also like to thank the Town of Southampton Dark Skies Advisory Committee for helping to make this program possible.

The natural rhythms of garden life are slowing but there is still work to be done. Annuals will be removed from the borders and the herb garden. Perennials throughout the property must be cut down to the ground, including all the grasses. The lawn must be raked at least three times as the leaves seldom fall all at once. Pruning is also on order as it is easier to see a shrub's or tree's basic structure when it is only bare branches and no distracting leaves. Several plantings on the property will get special protection with stakes and netting in case deer should wander by. In the vegetable garden there is much to harvest! Chinese cabbage, pak choi, yukina savoy Asian greens, turnips, pumpkins, winter squashes, head lettuce including romaine and butter lettuces, escarole and bulb fennel, as well as carrots, beets, scallions, dill and cilantro. The last of five bean sowings is just beginning to flower and set fruit. It is certainly a great year for beans! This season we were able to give over seventy-five pounds of fresh produce to local food pantries. We are fortunate that we can harvest until late November! We can always use another set of hands. Contact Outreach Manager, Kathy Kennedy, if you have time to give, we'd love to have you!

Fall is the best time to install new lawns and repair old ones. In fact, most experts recommend sowing grass seed by October 15, at the latest. This year we are renovating a small patch of lawn near the vegetable garden with help from lawn expert, Paul Wagner of Treewise. Paul, as part of our partnership with Edwina von Gal and the Perfect Earth Project on sustainable garden practices, will be at Bridge Gardens every Thursday through the end of October from noon to 4 pm. You can also email your lawn care questions to him at LawnExperts@PeconicLandTrust.org. Additionally, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have - I'm at the gardens most days and am available by email at RBogusch@PeconicLandTrust.org.

I invite you to come visit the gardens during this time of natural transition. It is a time to experience the shift of the cacophonous vigor of a summer garden to one of gentle  tranquility that will fade to a dormant winter garden. It is truly a wondrous time at Bridge Gardens.

~Rick Bogush

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