10/15/2026
It’s mid October. A foggy and quiet mid morning after a night of rain. I had this sudden overbearing feeling that I should go grab my camera. After I grabbed it, I walked over to the garden. My ankles and socks became damp from the moisture of the overgrown grass. Looking down at my feet, I almost turned around to head back inside to change my socks and put my muck boots on. Instead, something caught my eye. I looked up and there they were. Two beautiful large Monarchs. Right in front of me. I don’t have zoom on this camera lens. They let me get close to admire them. As do the other pollinators. Call me crazy, which I am. I truly believe the pollinators know I will not harm them. This summer the bees and wasps were always all over the herbs and flowers. Especially the herb plants. I would walk right through the herb jungle and they never ever stung me. Not once. I do always say “ excuse me, pardon me, just passing through”. We simply coexist together, and that’s the way it should bee. (get it?)
You may be wondering why am I sharing all of this with you. I will tell you why.
Without a fall garden, the Monarchs would not be here visiting. Without a fall garden, I would have never captured this video. Without a fall garden, I would have missed out on the opportunity to witness this with my own eyes. In the fog and gloom, with my ankles damp. A special moment shared between me and the monarchs by the sidewalk garden I built and grew earlier this year in our front yard. Let the garden be messy. Let your front landscaping be messy and full of flowers and seedheads in the Fall. The pollinators do not care. They are just thankful for you and the food you are providing them. Near by were many bee’s, wasps, and skippers. Your neighbors? Doubt they will care the garden is messy if it has a purpose. I am immensely grateful that we have the most supportive neighbors on the street who enjoy the gardening shenanigans that go on here.
Plant a Fall garden in 2027. The pollinators will thank you.
