There are many wonderful things about the onset of fall in Austin. Getting to use our fireplace for the first time, long sleeve shirts (most of which were pushed to the far recesses of my closet during our sweltering summer) and Caramel Apple Ciders at Starbucks.

One of the depressing sides of fall has been a slump in my gardening time. I don’t have a great handle on the seasons yet, so I’m relying heavily on HGTV and the big, wide internet. Everyone seems really pumped about planted spring bulbs, but I haven’t had great luck w/ those, so that’s more of a next year project.

I have Spring pretty laid out, the most exciting thing being a vegetable garden which I’m obsessively planning (I’m talkin’ about graph paper being busted out and everything). But winter has me mopey.

Today I decided to go down to S. First to poke through some vintage shops for creative planters. I ended up finding a GREAT garden/gift store called Happiness with amazingly beautiful (and cheap!) pots. Nothing vintagy, but unique nonetheless and very affordable. On my way home I stopped in at a Nursery (I don’t know the name! But it’s at S. First near 290). I usually buy my plants at Lowes because of the huge variety and… I’ll admit, the bulk price, but there’s very little customer service beyond “where is this/that located.” They can’t offer a lot of advice. The woman who helped me at the nursery showed me a big section of Texas native plants. The big “aha” came when she said because they are native, I can plant them now and even if it freezes, they should be hearty enough to come back. Every pot had a detailed label about the plant, it’s requirements and temperature heartiness. Hallelujah! I bought a couple Blackfoot Daisies to plant around the big tree in the front yard.

I think I can visit the Nursery every month or so thru the winter to get by until Spring. I’ll also feel a lot better starting a vegetable garden after establishing a relationship w/ a small nursery that can help me along the way.

It was a good day. It’s going to be a good winter.