Hello dear readers,
It’s been a little while since I’ve done a garden update, and while you might expect that, a lot has happened!
Yesterday the weather turned and we were back to ten degrees, the wind comparatively warm to the wet cold we’ve had the past few weeks. With a break in the rain, I went out into the back yard with the intention of pulling the old marigolds, only to end up cutting the rest of (almost) everything back: alyssum, oregano, sage, and mint, all cut down to the ground in preparation for winter.
The kale, too, was ripped up, having gone over months ago but me never getting around to actually removing it. And now the back yard is bare, just a single determined parsley plant, still healthy and green. At some point I’ll cut it all down, too, and bring it in to dry. But my catnip is still (somehow?) not entirely dry, and I’d like to process that before I hang any other herbs.
In other processing news, I finally cut open the surprise white pumpkins and scooped out the seeds to dry, so I’ll sew those in the back field next spring, along with the giant jack-o-lantern seeds I’ve saved. I’ve promised my sister I’ll grow some gourds, too, so I’m going to start researching seeds soon. There are just so many varieties that I don’t yet know where to start. But these long, dark evenings are good for that—researching what to plant next spring.
As well, an exciting development for next year on the farm: I’ll be growing wheat from seed! Or at least trying to, since I’ve never actually done it before. There’s so much room in the back field where the pumpkins grow that I thought I’d try my hand. I’ve already visited the local garden center, too, and they say they can order the seeds once I’ve mapped out my square footage. I haven’t decided just how much I want to grow, but as long as I get enough for at least a loaf of bread, I’ll be happy. I just want to say I’ve done it!
Finally, not an outdoor garden note, but we’ve hung another macrame hanger in the house, and I still have a few left, though I can’t decide where they should go. But I recently rooted a spider plant baby that came off one of my other plants, and he’s now happily in the new hanger. I believe this is spider plant number five, though that’s not counting the spider plant that needs divided. I think I see at least four in there now—I have no idea what I’ll do with them all.
Another not garden thing, but more about the weather: Sunday night I was at my grandparents’ farm for dinner, and before the sun fully set, I ran out to the barn to look for some pots. The combination of golden and blue light, and the warm (ish) wind was the most beautiful thing I’ve experienced in a long time. It reminded me, as many things do this time of year, that winter is unequivocally my favourite season.
Already I’ve gone on much longer than I thought I would, and still there are more things I want to tell you. But I’m going to save those for a diary entry in the coming days. Until then, I hope you’re doing well.
—Catherine
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