Here in Northern California, we are entering the Fall season. The light has subtly changed, nights and mornings are getting a little cooler, and the first leaves are starting to change color. Now is the time to harvest and put away food for the winter. While several crops have been disappointing (another failed okra crop, for example) we’ve been lucky to have a good season for many things, including our O’Henry peaches. Our bellies are full from eating so much fresh fruit, but we are also busy putting it away via canning, freezing, and even a little drying. Sometimes it feels a little overwhelming to carve out time for these things during a busy day. But a mixed fruit smoothie in December or a warm bowl of canned peaches in January are special treats and worth the effort. Now is also a great time for friends and family to drop by the garden, as it allows us to share some of our favorite things with our loved ones. And while a garden can certainly be enjoyed alone, it is even better when shared.
We continue to plan for the cool season, tucking little seedlings of beets, radishes, kale, and rutabagas here and there, to hopefully provide a bit of homegrown food during the winter. Despite our drip irrigation and rainwater catchment barrels, the garden is parched and very ready for the winter rains to begin. As much as I love summer, it is time to move on to new and wetter things.
Happy growing this month, and thanks for reading.
Jeffrey M Pierce, MD 