I understand that the end of the world is supposed to occur in about two weeks. I guess I should be prepared.

I was also under the impression that there would be some sort of “zombie apocalypse”, and that the majority of people who survived this would undergo a process known as zombification, leaving the rest of the people just as they were, but with a lot less stuff.

I admit, I was a little worried when I saw this on the flagstone this morning.

It may look like some sort of hieratic script warning of impending zombification, but in fact, this is something entirely different. For gardeners living along the Front Range in Colorado, who may not recognize this, it’s evidence of a weather phenomenon known as rain.

It didn’t last very long, which was a relief because even that could have been a sign that the world was about to end.

So, pushing the end of world to the back of my mind (plenty of room there), I went about my daily chores. The work in the Burlap Garden is now complete.

believe it or not, I do realize the impression that this makes. it’s a replanted garden, so give it time ….if there is any.

There are two more rescued Arizona cypresses that need some sort of attention; these are shoulder-high conifers with two-gallon rootballs, and that doesn’t add up. I tried to be nice to them by giving them extra water this summer; one looks good, the other looks as if it won’t last another day. I used up all the burlap so I might have to run out and water their needles when no one is looking.

this looks good. out of focus, but good.

this looks not so good.

Since the world hasn’t ended yet, and Santa may need some hints for gifts if it doesn’t, here are a couple of tools I find useful when getting the garden ready for winter.

grass sickle from Hida Tool. razor sharp and cuts through clumps of ornamental grasses in seconds.

my trusty Opinel gardening knife. also razor sharp, and keeps the edge when sharpened.