There are signs of the season changing everywhere I look in the garden. Pumpkins turning orange, beds a wee bit overrun with weeds, new beds for next year in the beginning stages of progress, and tomato plants looking more than a little bit tired - all while still producing plenty of fruit. I'm bringing in flowers each day, noting that we're onto the sunflowers, hydrangeas and the last of the staggered gladiolas now. There isn't a lot to follow for flowers (note to self: plant more fall-blooming flowers next year), and I'm soaking up the pleasure of bringing them in while I can.
It goes so fast, doesn't it? These garden seasons? At least here there do - it's a short season and so much happens from the beginning to the end. I'm beginning to take some notes that I haven't done all summer long, for next year's garden planning. More late-blooming cut flowers, yes (any recommendations?). A few less green beans (a lesson I seem to never learn). And a big, loud three cheers for row covers - my squash are bigger and healthier than they've ever been. Meanwhile, the experimental 'non row cover' squash plants a few hundred feet away are covered in squash bugs. More row cover next year, yup.
And of course, the garden isn't really done yet at all. There's still so much more to harvest, so much more to preserve. I'm deep in the land of tomatoes at the moment - salsa (or Soule-Sa, rather - from the recipe in our last book The Rhythm of Family), tomato passata, and maybe today - Harper's precious ketchup jars. All of that will get done, and there will be some lovely September days in the garden to be sure. But for today, I'm noticing the slight shift in energy - the call to stitch and knit, and tidy up inside. And feeling grateful for the way the season works around here - the excited flurry and energy and productivity of the summer garden, and the reprieve and rest from it that follows.
Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead in your own green spaces!
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During the growing season, I share a garden update once a week. If you are doing the same (on any day of the week) in your own online space, please leave a link in the comments section below so that we can take a stroll through your garden! Or simply, in your words, share what you've been up to in your own garden. Be sure not to miss the comments of these posts, as the garden wisdom shared by all of you is such a beautiful thing to see - I learn so much every week! Thank you, friends. And blessings on another year in the garden!
