Autumn View

Autumn winds and rains have come but there is still a lot of vitality in the garden. Some plants have started to fade away while others seem to be flourishing -- their colors stunningly vibrant and their presence strong and stately in their maturity.

In the next break in the weather, I will start spreading brown cardboard along in the aisles. Then I'll cover it with about 6 inches of straw. This will help with erosion from the winter storms and will make a nice home for the earthworms who will aerate the soil and nourish it with their castings

I am continuing to prune back and take out plants in the individual beds, however it is hard right now because so many of them are still beautiful. I am practicing asking them if they are ready before jumping in and just doing it.

It is important for me to deepen my understanding of what is a happening with the garden during the Autumn and Winter. I tend to forget that even though things are dying back above ground, the Life Force is still very alive below, recharging the garden and making it stronger than ever before. Including this awareness in my consciousness as I prepare the beds for Winter, is an important part of experiencing the garden more fully.