Time to take the awning down

 

Michael at work!

The days are getting shorter and cloudier. This week we are having typical Pacific Northwest weather - cloudy up until around noon and cool temperatures. The sun has traveled south and the Japanese maples are shading more and more of the deck. So it is time to take down the awning -

Before we put the cover over the deck, there was no protection from the sun whatsoever (and there were no trees around it as well). We had the structure built over the existing deck and Michael made an awning from our old curtains.

A year after the structure was built, we asked the guy to come back and cover it with a transparent roof so that we could at least step out there without getting wet.

This year, instead of installing one huge awning, Michael broke them up into sections. He also ran metal rods underneath so that we could pull them back to let in sun when we needed it.

As a result, taking it down was a lot easier this year - just undo the end of the wire and slide the fabric off. We are amazed that the fabric has lasted this long.

Down it comes -

It is also time to start thinking about the potted plants.

 

Most are fuchsias and we have decided this year that we are only going to overwinter a few in the garage. There is simply not enough room and the fuchsias are so slow to start blooming again that I think it would be better to just purchase them again next year.

 

Did you notice Nigel? I would never have purchased a garden knome in a million years but I got him free as a product review. We named him after Monty Don's beautiful golden retriever who sadly passed away this year.

 

There are also a few houseplants that will need to go back inside. I decided to start that job and after applying a systemic to get rid of the bugs, I am cleaning the leaves.

 A few hours later, the sun is out and there is a noticeable brightness on the deck and in the house -

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy