In our glorious state of California, known for sunshine and moderate weather, there is usually something in bloom.  That said, even the Golden State has a natural order of things.  Perhaps it’s time to hang up an “out-of-order” sign.  My garden is in a state of confusion.

Tomatoes

First up, the tomato plant.  The seeds I planted in the spring grew, produced and then died off.  Nice, orderly, predictable.  The wind, or perhaps a bird dropped a seed in our narrow side yard, and believe it or not I have a seven-foot tall tomato plant.  With flowers.  Tiny, tomato flowers.  The limited sun explains the height of the plant, but flowers in November?

Off-season tomato

Pumpkins

Pumpkins should be done for the season.  Errant seeds should sleep under the soil for the winter, or gathered and stored till next spring. As I covered the patio furniture in preparation for our first rain I had a pumpkin bloom keeping me company.  It’s beautiful and hopeful but decidedly out of season.

Off-season pumpkin bloom

Cosmos

I reluctantly removed several Cosmo starts from the vegetable box, to make room for cauliflower and broccoli. After days in the mid-eighties, the warm soil must have triggered the cosmos to grow. I don’t blame them for the state of confusion.  We’ve all been shaking our heads and saying “where is fall?”  I didn’t have the heart to remove all the out-of-season re-starts, so I have an impressive pumpkin plant, true leaves and all, rubbing shoulders with the winter vegetables (take two).

Shoulder to Shoulder: Broccoli and Pumpkin

I don’t want to seem ungracious, but I feel like we’ve missed out on sweater-weather entirely.  Seven weeks in and we’re only now seeing the more traditional weather patterns. Today’s light rain was a welcome relief.  I donned my coat and hat and worked outdoors for nearly five hours. The air was cool and fresh as it rained off and on.  Even the cats didn’t mind.

Here’s hoping fall is here to stay this time.  Shorter days, cooler nights and a gentle rain will go a long way to end my garden’s state of confusion.

What’s blooming on your Thursday?