Saying Goodbye To Summer

I saw it coming, clearly, over the hill, in a few gently falling leaves, slightly crisp morning air, and in the first home fire.  What did I do? Embrace the Fall season with open arms? No! I ran the other way! I went on a lollygagging escapade. Daily jaunts along the creek, skipping stones and acting like summer was just beginning, if only in my imagination.

I wasn't remotely prepared to get in the fall mood, although I love all that Autumn holds, cozy warm sweaters, steaming mugs of Chai tea, the earthy smells of fall mulching. 

I'm thinking I still have time to scratch off a few fall "to dos" on my list. These few tips might just get my noggin aligned with the season. And if by some chance you're feeling un-fall like too and in need of a nudge, read on.

1. Garlic* If you will be planting a fall vegetable garden, have fun, the offerings of most seed catalogs are wonderfully laden with varieties for the home gardener to choose from, but in my opinion, none are as un-negotiable as the plump cloves of my favorite garlic for seeding.  A few braids of garlic store well for months in the pantry, or dehydrated and ground into powder, maybe roasted and preserved in olive oil. Garlic is a must have, AND the health benefits are too numerous not to consider that there may be a tad more fair weather yet to get next years harvest into the ground. Ever use garlic oil for earache or as an aid in healing an ear infection? In a pinch I will place a freshly sliced piece of garlic into my winter sensitive ears. Very soothing. LOL on the mental picture, but I said soothing, not lovely. More garlic love here.
2. Compost* Right now is the perfect time to replenish your composting system with an influx of garden debris, green, dried and brown, all will feed the soil food web now for deep, rich, garden goodness in one year. Where  to start? More compost love here.
3. Pantry* Yep, mines a mess as usual from tossing in stuff willy nilly all summer.  But now is the time to whip it into shape by organizing store bought staples, home preserved staples and by rotating expiring items to the front of your pantry queue. Be resolved to incorporate them into your menu to avoid waste. And do I hate waste? You bet I do!  What to do with that random can of tomato soup you dug out the dark recesses of your pantry? Epicurious is a great place to plug in that "can of whatever" and come up with an interesting recipe, one that might prove to make you the queen of culinary magic in your home.  While we have our pantry prowess thing going on, be mindful of family preparedness and add few consumables yearly that keep really really well long term.  Check out my little experiment to learn more about this pantry must have.

*For the newbie, here is a Beginners Guide to Pantry Pride from the folks at Organized Home.

Oh! before I forget, the promised lollygagging report.

Lazy days on the banks of Panther Creek and a farewell to Summer. 

Hello Autumn. I think I heart you.

What's at the top of your list of fall "to dos"? I'd love to know!

Leaving Me Lonely

I remember all to well when we were in the thick of two consecutive remodels the twinge of jealousy and frustration at seeing the lush and bountiful gardens on my favorite blogs. Seriously, the busier I stayed sanding priming and painting woodwork, the little time it left me for perusing all the virtual gardens that left me feeling lonely for one small red tomato to call my own.

As I have been enjoying a beautiful vegetable garden this summer those thoughts are long behind me now. It occurred to me though that there just might be folks out there experiencing my circumstance of being temporarily gardenless. But looky here, I've got a plan for you. A few things to do while your expecting. Next years garden that is!

In anticipation of a fruitful and healthy garden for next year, build or manage your compost system. I hope the following posts will energize you. Composting. Composting Revisited.

Bare ground is a no-no. Don't abandon your garden completely but try this composting in place method to keep weeds and unwanted vegetation at bay. Layer with newspaper (carbon) and top with grass clippings (nitrogen).

Gather all the leaves you can and stockpile them. Spread them on your garden in fall for a lovely earth enriching mulch. I toss on a few limbs too so my precious leaf mulch (it's what I yearn fer) doesn't up and blow away in windy weather.

Plant garlic for next years harvest and opt for growing a green manure crop as a living mulch to draw nutrients deep into the soil.

Get a jump start on next years plant selection. Seeds are usually discounted for clearance in the fall. Pick up a bunch of packets and check out my post on Wintersowing.

I hope your to do list keeps you busy and full of hope for a stunning garden in 2012!