Tear It Down

I've been neglecting my garden the last few weeks. It's only been a so-so year, except for those blasted Sungold cherry tomatoes, and once I picked my pumpkin, I didn't feel that motivated to battle the weeds, milkweed aphids, and grumpy gardeners. But the season is ending, and we got a "needs attention" on our last inspection, so I put on my garden togs, leashed up the dog, and headed out into the glorious October afternoon.

Years ago, I was involved in a big DIY home renovation that involved taking the kitchen and dining room down to the studs. That summer I learned to swing a sledgehammer, which was very satisfying, and I also literally shoveled a couple of tons of plaster and lath, tipping it out the window and into a dumpster one wheelbarrow load at a time. The final product that we built on those bare bones was amazing, but I've always fondly remembered the demolition phase. 

I brought that same attitude to my garden this afternoon. Gloves on and contractor bags at the ready, I pulled out or cut back almost everything. I neatly stacked the tomato cages and dragged eight bags of last summer's growth to the gate. It's too early to think about next season, but I can see the bare bones.