November, Transition

By Leslie Watkins

Along with death and taxes, change is among the very few things of which we can be certain. An ability to manage change, with a degree of agility in making adjustments, will determine whether we land on our feet or not. Having a brain that allows us to predict future events helps to mitigate possible setbacks from transition. Maintaining an optimistic viewpoint and embracing the challenges with which life presents us, helps to conserve our strength and energy, and improves our chances of success.

Autumn is a time when we especially sense change. The earth rolls on its axis and the days get colder and shorter. Falling leaves are a reminder that time is passing. With a little forethought and preparation we can ease the passage into winter. While catching up with fall chores, we may anticipate the time of turning inward. Winter months are spent by the fire with good books, celebrating holidays and planning for the future. Winter is also the time for self-reflection, spending time alone and making resolutions.

Illustration © Leslie Watkins 2016.

As we get our gardens ready for winter, we observe animals, plants and insects also preparing for the coming season. Field mice are searching for shelter in our basements and padding their nests with bits of fur and fluffy seed heads. Chickadees are scoping out areas where they remember bird feeders being last year. Bugs are making an appearance around windows and in attics. Squirrels are acting nutty, scampering pell-mell through the leaves chasing one another and chipmunks are busy topping off their supplies. There is a heightened sense of activity as the necessary preparations for food storage and shelter are being made.

We can take our cue form nature and start “putting food by”. Carrots, parsnips, beets, potatoes, turnips, rutabagas, winter squash, onions, garlic and celeriac are all good winter keepers, to name just a few. While a root cellar is nice, any place that maintains temperatures above freezing and averaging 35-40º with humidity up to 90% has potential. Monitor the temperatures in your garage, basement, unheated rooms, porch and storage shed for possibilities. Be sure to seal any holes or cracks that rodents can fit through. Select vegetables that are undamaged for long term keeping.

Store carrots unwashed in five-gallon buckets between layers of clean washed sand, and sprinkle with water as needed to keep barely damp. Beets can be stored as carrots are, but be sure to leave an inch of stem attached. Hang onions in mesh bags or baskets in a dry spot with plenty of ventilation. Place undamaged potatoes in lily crates or plastic laundry baskets, covered with burlap and keep at around 40º.  Winter squash also does best at 40º. Cure pumpkins for two weeks in the sun to develop a hard rind, and leave the stems on. Old dresser drawers can provide handy storage compartments. Other useful materials to store vegetables with are sawdust, dried leaves, and straw. Periodically check that the packing material stays damp.

Give the vegetable garden a thorough cleanup to prevent pests from over wintering and for a head start on next year’s chores. Prepare a bed now for early spring cool weather crops like peas and spinach. Make a list of your best performers and record where they grew to plan next season’s rotation schedule. Be sure to continue watering well until the ground freezes.

Once the leaves are down and the perennials are cut back, take the time for a good look at the underlying garden design. Write down future changes or additions while ideas are still fresh in your mind. Take photos and make sketches as reminders for next spring. Note which plants did well and those that should be moved or replaced. Remember that loss, change and transition provide us with opportunities to try new things and help us grow.

November Chore Checklist

• Clean chimney.
• Collect twigs, bark and pinecones for kindling.
• Stack and cover firewood.
• Stake driveway for the snowplow.
• Bring in hoses, turn off water.
• Insulate and wrap beehives.
• Seal drafts in the chicken coop.
• Clean vegetable garden.
• Finish planting bulbs.
• Consider enrolling in a class.