The changes are subtle at first, almost imperceptible. Leaves slowly fade on the cucumber vines; seed flowers begin to form on a few lettuce plant stragglers…the garden is telling me it’s almost time to bid adieu for the season. With hope and anticipation for the next gardening season, it’s time to start preparing the garden for its winter rest. It is with a sense of sadness, wistfulness that I do so.
I already miss the local corn – it seemed like such a short corn season this year. Grocery store flyers are advertising apples and pumpkins; peaches are scarce. I will miss them as well. (next year I will have to utilize my new Foodsaver and process some for the winter months – another item on the next year’s ToDo list!)
Yesterday, I spent much of the morning in the garden. Such a pretty day. We gathered rocks from the beach that we need to complete a section of the garden near the arbor (pics to come) – carted them home in an old wagon. Then I attended to a few of the garden beds – trimming, weeding, making notes and taking photos as I went. (winter project – garden notebook) The notes will be helpful for crop rotation and reminding me what did well, or didn’t. And for lusting over on a cold winter day.
I repotted some parsley and rosemary to bring in when the weather requires it. 
The compost pile needed attention, too – so I turned it and used some of the wonderful accumulation to dress one of the veggie beds. May try to plant some kale soon.
The tomatillos are still looking good. I hope enough of them mature before the first frost. (check them out below – so pretty and, while the stalks look frail, they held up well this past week when there were some pretty stiff winds.) I have a avocado-tomatillo dip (sauce?) that I’m anxious to perfect.
The malabar spinach is still doing great, too. (another of my favorite crops – dependable, tasty, pretty.) I saw it for the first time several years ago in Longwood Gardens and have been a loyal fan ever since. Swiss chard is still growing strong. Alas, not a good year for tomatoes in the Northeast, but what I’ve gotten were quite tasty.
The photo was taken from our second floor deck. The malabar spinach is climbing the bamboo poles in the rear.
Much more to do in the coming weeks as the weather turns. A total labor of love……
