It's Fall, Y'all!

I had a lot of social plans for this weekend but because it was a draining week at work and I had the place to myself for the weekend, I punted all plans in favor of being a homebody. I needed to recharge my batteries, restore my balance and experiment so I...

...sowed some beautyberry seeds harvested from my Beauty Berry Experience Kit from Upendo Estates Farm.  I reused a food container for the seeds and a clear nursery pot for the cutting that came in the kit. I already made the organic mosquito repellent using beautyberry leaves before we road tripped to FL. 

Wish me luck!

...potted up my air layer propagated fig trees! The first time reusing plastic food containers was a bust so I tried using plastic wrap and aluminum foil for the win over the last month. One of the propagated trees didn't have as many roots so I'm not sure if it will make it.

 

I added some rooting hormone to its water so hopefully it will rally.

...divided my Ficus Benjamina - I was just going to repot it into a chunky mix when I discovered there were two small plants in the pot I got at Home Depot for $9.88. Score!

...repotted my Alocasia from Trader Joe's. Didn't find any corms to share but maybe next time. I grouped it with my Monstera Deliciosa, Pandan Amaryllifolius and Leaf of Life plant that my sister gave me while I was visiting her in FL. I also started several LoL propagations to share.

I need a disco ball diffuser!

...made pineapple tepache and garden soda (with raisins and rosemary)...well, started them anyway

For when I want something fizzy yet healthy - stoked!

...mowed/mulched the falling leaves into the lawn vice raking this year. (Not sure why I didn't do this previously). I will need to do this a few more times as the leaves amass, but this is so much better than raking and bagging and letting the city have my leaves. It's easier to appreciate the magnolia leaf litter when it is pulverized and returned to the soil. 

...made red cabbage sauerkraut. Just shredded cabbage massaged with salt. I didn't have a large jar available to pack so I packed this down in the bowl and placed a plate on top to weigh down the cabbage and then I put the lid on. We'll see how things go over the next few days.