Looking out my window the other day, I noticed the tips of a neighboring tree fading to a brilliant yellow, and I felt a twinge of sadness. Wait! I wanted to shout at the tree. I’m not ready yet!
It’s been a hard year, with the drought, but even so I’m not ready to let go of summer. I’m still waiting on the good tomato crop that never came, and I miss the ever-abundant cucumbers already, only a week gone. But the garden is tired. The cucumber vines have shriveled to brown, the skeletal bean plants wait only to be pulled, and the peppers and tomatoes don’t show much promise. It’s time to prepare for a long winter’s rest.
There is, of course, much to love about fall, such as the show put on by the trees and the perfect blend of outdoor activity and indoor coziness. In the garden, the Perpetual Spinach chard takes center stage, thriving as the rest of the garden seems to fade. My second crop of zucchini is chugging along as well, happy for the rains this week, and the cucamelons show no signs of slowing yet. I also plan to dig carrots tomorrow and finally get some of those onions trimmed and cleaned up for market.
I will have all of those veggies at the Broadway Community Market on Saturday, which is beginning its fall hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. I’ll also have garlic, the last couple jars of garlic salt, and a variety of crocheted items (including adorable pumpkin bookmarks!).
See you at the market!