The growing season is over. The picture below is of a garden in its prime. Now the plants are pale, listless; the growth all but stopped. Except those okra, I'm telling you they are nearly indestructible.
To be honest, I'm ready to be done. The coming of fall does that to a person. It tells you it's time to dig in and brace for the coming cold. Here our habits follow the weather.
But I will miss it. This is a place where I always find peace. It is the most interesting and hopeful place I know. I will turn my mind to winter things, and turn my energy toward jewelry making and cleaning old bottles I dug up and cold-weather cooking.
But I will also start planning for next year's garden.
What gives you peace? And are you ready for winter?
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No, not ready for winter. lol. It's been so nice this week here in NE, I don't want it to end! Maybe you've blogged about this in the past or are preparing to, but how do you plan for next year's garden? Are there procedures you do in your yard now, in the fall months, to get things going for spring?
ReplyDeleteYou know, this was only my 2nd year gardening and my gardening spot changed this year so I'm not yet certain. I think we're going to expand the spot for next year so that will mean digging it up and tilling it. Each year I'm learning more and more and I love it :)
DeleteIt's been pretty chilly here in Massachusetts, too. I like the cool weather, but I think it really makes me appreciate the 3 months of warm weather we get up there. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I'll bet it gets cold there quick! It didn't get all that hot here this summer, not like it had been with temps reaching 116. Yikes! But I'm still ready for cooler weather.
DeleteI am ready for the winter. I personally don't like summer where it is so hot that I feel uncomfortable. I'm wondering what you're planning on planting for next summer. Are you doing the same veggies or incorporating something new? Can't wait to see it all.
ReplyDeleteYou've had some extra heat out there in CO the past few years, more than normal it seems. I know they got snow out there already! Wowza! Next summer we are planning on these from this year: tomato, cuke, okra, butternut squash, pumpkin, peppers and carrots. But I want to add cantaloupe and green beans and possibly spinach. I keep trying to grow strawberries, to no avail. And I'm going to try planting onions, garlic and radishes among the squash to keep the bugs out!
DeleteMy garden is pretty much done. I do have a few peppers that we need to use up... everything else is done for. I am not ready for winter.... hate winter.
ReplyDeleteWhat all did you plant?
DeleteWell, I live in Florida, so we won't get much of a "winter", but it has been awfully nice this past week with temps only in the 80's (instead of 90's). I'll take it!
ReplyDeleteI used to live in Port Charlotte on the Gulf Coast! I remember those winters, MUCH different than here :)
Deletegoodness no! not remotely ready for winter! I still have to sort all the kids clothing and determine what fits and what has to be bought. My garden is done and the frost has arrived, so I have to put all my garden statues, wind chimes, gazing balls..etc. etc away before the snow buries them. And I will have peace of mind when hubby cleans all the summer toys, bikes and sand toys from the yard, tidies the shed and garage and I know I can fit the van in the garage for the winter.
ReplyDeleteWinter Prep is serious deal in Canada! LOL
I finally got my kiddo's clothes sorted about 2 weeks ago! And mine too for that matter. That is a job for sure. Oh my gosh, Canada, I can't imagine! Then you hunker down and wait for spring :)
DeleteMy sister-in-law finds peace in her gardening too. She likes to be outside doing that kind of thing more than she likes most anything else. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, me too! It's just so relaxing and hopeful and busy :) And if it turns out good there is such reward.
DeleteAw such a shame - I hate it through winter when all the colour has gone from the garden - but it's lovely when it all comes back the following spring :) X
ReplyDeleteYes, after a good long winter, we can sure appreciate the spring :)
DeleteMan your okra is hardy! Not quite ready for winter here, as long as it is not too deep snowy/icy for the kids to play outside, we're good. If well all get cooped inside for too long we start to turn on each other. lol.
ReplyDeleteOh that okra is crazy, I'm telling you. But now that the highs are in the 60s it's starting to look just a little pale :) Yes getting cooped up for too long is no good for anyone!
DeleteI live in Florida so it is hard to say winter here. I have been so inspired by everyone this year that has been gardening that next year I am going to attempt to have my very first.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, I hope to hear about your gardening adventures! I wish I would have had the gardening bug when I lived in Florida (Port Charlotte on the West Coast) because with all that sun and rain I imagine the gardens do well.
DeleteI'm totally not ready for winter. And what gives me peace is going clothes shopping!
ReplyDeleteLOL, well you can do that any time of year! How fun!
DeleteI think the thing I miss the most about owning a home is being able to tear up the yard into a garden. I suppose if we're still renting here next year, I'll be learning how to container garden :) We miss having our own veggies. I find solace in gardening too. Not to mention, there's something precious about watching a child plant a seed and watching his plants grow.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's true, I guess if you are renting you can't make a garden. I hadn't thought of that. My mom always does container gardens even when she lives in apartments, just tomatoes, peppers and herbs, I think. Yes, Brady has really responded well to the garden veggies.
DeleteIm not ready to have winter yet. I would love to start a garden sometime when I have the right place to do it.
ReplyDeleteIt's so much fun! And the reward, when it goes well, is just the best!
DeleteThis being my first year of gardening, I am with you all the way. I did find a lot of peace growing and learning so much! But I also am ready to get a few other things done. I will be happy not to have to mow the lawn. I will miss getting the kids out to play outside. My kids are huge outdoor kids!
ReplyDeleteYour garden was awesome! Seems like you had some good producers. I, like you, am ready to move on for now too and store up my energy and excitement for next eyar.
DeleteI'm excited that fall is finally here and am taking it all in! (AKA, it's finally not 90 degrees and has finally dipped into 70-80 degree weather, AKA scarves, sweaters, and boots weather!) ;)
ReplyDeleteCop out answer, but prayer brings me peace. There's not a whole lot of free time to cultivate peace in my life through hobbies, and so I take whenever I can get and spend time in silence and prayer. I love it! :)
I don't think prayer is every a cop out :) And honestly, it has given me more peace than anything. Heck, I may even have prayed about my garden, LOL! I could technically live without my garden, but I could not live well without prayer. Yes, 70-80 is perfect !
DeleteI love fall, it is my favorite season but I am sad to see the summer vegetables and fruits go away for a while. There is nothing better than fresh summer berries. I always say that next year I will plan and plant a garden, so maybe I'll get my act together for next year! :)
ReplyDeleteI know it, there are SO many fruits and veggies just falling all over the place in the summer. I try to freeze as many as I can to make them last through the winter, but the hail took out all our apples and mulberries this year :( If you plant a garden, I hope you'll share it as I'd love to read about it :)
DeleteI am ready for fall weather. I love the changing of seasons. It always feels like a new, fresh beginning. I'm hoping to have a garden next year. There's just something about growing your own food!
ReplyDeleteYou know, in Florida there was hardly any change and the year would just zip by, one year would run into another. It was the strangest thing. Not here though! I love growing our food then cooking and eating it. The most fulfilling feeling!
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