How it all knits together
The perpetual inhale of the summer months - of heightened energy, sunlight, excitement, heat and output, now begins to wane toward winter, when the exhale takes over. Less sunlight, less heat, less drought invites us and the earth to rest. Deep, dark moments in which stillness and slowness can invite balance into the system. I'm referring to both us humans and our plant systems here - turn your eye to your gardens this season and watch how their external growth slows. As the arial parts of the plant (flowers, stems, leaves and seeds) fade, tune into how their roots are drawing down that external energy to build strength for the next cycle. Remind yourself to be here for all of it. And remember that we need this too.
Tasks for November:
- Prune back any fully withered leaves
- Prune back any spent flower heads, or choose to leave them on the plant as food/habitat for the insects and birds, and also for winter interest.
- Plant spring bulbs (plant for your future self!) and don't forget the edible bulbs too, such as garlic. Now is the perfect time in the PNW to get those garlic cloves into the ground for the summer harvest.
- Spread healthy fallen leaves into your beds as a habitat for important soil microbes and insects. Clean up and discard of any leaves from diseased trees.
- Mulch beds with finely shredded bark mulch
- Prune trees and shrubs
- Harvest ripe rosehips and other medicinal herbs
- Harvest and preserve or store fall vegetables and root crops
- Harvest and dry fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme and oregano for use throughout the winter
- Lightly prune perennial herbs
- Dry or use pruned plant material for seasonal crafts, such as centerpieces and wreathes.
- Take note of areas for growth in your fall garden (photograph plants you encounter that you love!), and also of what is really working. Seasonal photos of your garden beds are very helpful over time.
And most of all - take time to rest, reflect, sit in the garden with a cup of tea, and be thankful that we get to be an integral player in the gorgeous systems that make this earth hum.
