here is a particular rhythm to this time of year. The garden is winding down, but there is still so much to gather and preserve that it can be difficult to find enough hours in the day. The vegetables no longer arrive all at once as they did during the height of summer, but there are still small harvests waiting to be noticed, along with the work of deciding what can be saved for the months ahead.
The Blue Ridge foothills are beginning their own quiet transformation. On hazy mornings, the distant mountains take on that soft blue color that gives the Blue Ridge Mountains their name. The effect is especially beautiful when the hills are layered one behind another, fading gently into the morning air. It is one of those familiar sights that never becomes ordinary, especially when the first autumn colors begin to appear among the green.
The cooler mornings have been a welcome relief for both people and animals. Some mornings begin in the sixties, with a soft breeze moving through the farm, although the middle of the day can still become surprisingly hot. Those early hours carry the first real hint of autumn, even while summer is still lingering in the afternoon.
The jalapeño peppers were one of our most successful crops this year, and I am getting ready to can a second batch of pickled jalapeños. The eggplants have finally fizzled out, while the squash was sadly overcome by squash bugs and powdery mildew. The cucumbers suffered the same fate, but not before giving us enough for a generous batch of dill pickles and relish. The larger tomatoes are finished for the season, although the cherry tomatoes are still faithfully producing. They seem determined to keep summer going just a little longer, and I love to gather some each night to enjoy with dinner, sliced and tossed with a little sea salt. The figs are also keeping us busy. They ripen a few at a time each day, so we wash, slice, and freeze them as they become ready. If we wait too long, the ants find them, especially once the figs become overly ripe. It is a small daily task, but there is something satisfying about gathering what is ready and saving it for later instead of allowing it to go to waste.
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One of my favorite signs of fall is seeing local stores fill their entrances with mums. Their bright yellows, warm oranges, purples, and deep reds are so beautiful and inviting that I can hardly resist bringing a few home. I have also learned that, in this part of the country, mums planted in the ground can return year after year. With time, they grow into lovely, full mounds that become more beautiful each autumn. The mums we planted in years past are coming back strong now, and they are just about ready to bloom. Seeing them return feels like a small gift from seasons gone by, waiting patiently to welcome fall again.
Our apple trees did not produce very well this year. We suspect the soil may be lacking phosphorus, and the deer have also made it difficult to protect the orchard. These are the challenges we continue to embrace. But we look forward to our yearly visit or two to a local apple orchard called Ayer's, where we always bring home plenty of apples for canning, pies, applesauce, and apple butter. Sometimes the harvest comes from our own garden, and sometimes we find another way to still enjoy the local harvests. Supporting local farmers is so important, and also such a joy and a cherished tradition.
October will bring some of our favorite traditions, including our annual Halloween costume party and cookie-decorating contest. There will be prizes, laughter, time around the firepit, and marshmallows to roast. These celebrations are part of what makes the changing seasons feel special. Autumn is not only a time to finish the garden and prepare for winter; it is also a time to gather together, enjoy the fruits of our labor, and welcome the simple pleasures of the season.
The garden may be slowing down, but life around the farm is not. There are still jalapeños to can, figs to freeze, cold frames to build, and fireside evenings to anticipate. Autumn is arriving gradually, in cooler mornings, ripening fruit, distant blue mountains, and the promise of a little more time to pause and enjoy the work.
Ayers Orchard: https://www.go-virginia.com/Ayers-Orchard-Cana/
Around the farm this autumn, we are finishing our big summer project, the new firepit area we call Gnome Hollow. It's a work in progress, built slowly and thoughtfully, and we are looking forward to enjoying it as the evenings grow cooler. You can follow the project by clicking on the link below.
This year, we are also adding cold-frame raised beds where we hope to grow leafy greens and other fall crops. The project is still taking shape, but we are excited by the possibility of enjoying fresh vegetables well into winter - extending the garden season just a little farther.
