Autumn is always a bittersweet time of year. The first frost takes the dahlias, cucumbers that have graced us with their refreshing crispness all summer are gone, and the abundance of summer quickly fades. But autumn is also arguably my favorite time of year. The fall colors, golden aspens, flaming vine maple, dramatic clouds, and vivid blue skies finally void of smoke. Apples are in their prime, crickets sing their last choruses, and dreams of next season abound. It’s time to shift, to go towards slumber. Annual gardens get put to bed and perennial gardens showcase all their structure before the rains and snow fall presses them back to the earth. There are many days of perfect gardening weather, warm sunny days with a hint of crispness in the air. It’s time to tidy things up before winter sets in; go through your gardening supplies and re-home what no longer serves you, organize your garden shed to better suit your needs, and take note of any supplies needed for next year.

This time of year is about putting to rest the hard work of a bountiful summer and planning for next year while the growing season is fresh in the mind’s eye. As I dig and wash my dahlia tubers, I also have a list of which new varieties I will get for next year. I am making flower and vegetable lists, working on website improvements, and investing in the mechanics of running the business side of a business. I take notes on what worked well and what could use improvements both for my personal garden and for my client’s. The same is true internally, fall is a reflective time of year if we give ourselves moments of stillness. I am so grateful for the life and business I have created in which I can fully immerse myself in the seasons.

-Jamie