Autumn - what I learned from a squirrel
Animals teach us a lot about transitioning from summer to winter.
photo credit: Shane Young: Unsplash
Harvest Time
I love Autumn - that peaceful season of relaxation. Fog creeps in over the hills, quieting sound and reminding me that a more restful season is about to begin. Not yet the hectic holiday frenzy, and just past the time of heavy garden work. There is still work to be done in preparation for winter, but I can take days off when it is raining and cold and not feel too guilty about it.
While working in my rose garden recently, I took notice of a squirrel. He wasn’t bothered by my presence. He ran about the yard, digging up peanuts and carrying them to a new location where he re-buried them. Squirrels often re-arrange peanuts in my yard. One squirrel buries, and another soon digs it up and moves it. As I watched the squirrel, birds came and went from flowering shrubs as they gathered seeds.
My squirrel companion and I were enjoying a rare 70 plus degree, sunny day. It was mid October, but summer was not yet ready to let go. Only a slight nip in the air in early morning and late afternoon gave away the fact that colder weather was on the way.
I clipped off the dead blooms of my roses, pulled a few weeds, cut my herbs to prepare them for drying, and harvested the last of my cherry tomatoes.
I watched the squirrel as he enjoyed his activities. We were alike, he and I. Gathering the warmth of the sun, enjoying the fresh air, and getting our own areas of the yard ready for the coming of winter. I would enjoy my herbs and vegetables over winter; he would enjoy his peanuts and other treats.
Animals know the seasons - when to work, when to prepare, when to rest. My grandmother had a cat on the farm when she was young. When the cat came home, they all knew a storm was coming. The cat was never wrong. By watching animals in the wild, and following nature’s cycles, we improve our health and well-being.
basil ready for dehydrating
Autumn Projects
Besides cleaning up the gardens and harvesting vegetables and herbs, there are so many other projects that need to be done in Autumn. I like to clean things up and finish outdoor projects as much as possible before the rains come - The Big Dark as we call it in the Pacific Northwest.
“Completing projects in autumn saves us time in spring.”
When spring arrives, I want to jump right into planting new gardens. I also want to start hiking and biking as soon as the weather allows (I am a fair weather hiker and biker). When spring brings the first warm weather, I want to be on the trails, not cleaning up from last summer. Plus - I want the yard to look nice during winter. Unpruned, dead plants don’t make for an appealing landscape.
Time To Decorate
With every season, I donate decorations I no longer use. It is part of my minimalism lifestyle. By freeing space of things no longer used, I am able to add an item or two that I WILL use. This year, I found some adorable ghosts on stems that were perfect for my potted plants. I also set out my usual indoor decorations.
Yard Projects
Browse through the following list of projects that will help you finish off autumn and be ready for next spring.
Paint your chain link fence protect your fence during winter
Lay down a cloth weed barrier save work in spring by preventing weeds now
Repair and paint outdoor structures proper maintenance saves money in the long run
Wood Pumpkin Yard Decor free pattern for wood pumpkin yard display