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Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

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May Dreams Gardens

The rush of time

September 6, 2011 By Carol Michel 18 Comments

I feel the rush of time moving through the garden. It rides the breeze that brings the cooler weather. It rattles the dry stalks of corn, still standing in the garden. It scurries by with the first leaves blowing across the patio.

There is still much to do as summer winds down. I should be rushing around the garden like I do in the spring. But I feel like taking it much slower, as though my slowing down will slow the passing of this summer into fall and eventually halt the arrival of winter.

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Live in each season as it passes”. I find that difficult to do in the fall. In the fall I am either looking back at what was the garden or planning what will be the garden next spring. Fall planting, after all, is planting for tomorrow, for a new spring, for next summer.

But I’ll do my best, as the cooler breeze carries time through the garden, to make the most of each day we have left in this season. That’s all that any of us can do.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: fall, gardening

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    September 6, 2011 at 3:29 am

    There is so much truth in that…so many people get "spring fever" in gardening!! Fall is my favorite time to plant, especially perennials. There's no babysitting involved! I do enjoy seeing the garden wind down and go to sleep…although I feel sad to know winter and barrenness is coming, I know I will appreciate it when spring arrives!!

    Reply
  2. greggo says

    September 6, 2011 at 10:51 am

    I would appreciate fall more this year if most everything wasn't burnt crispy critters.

    Reply
  3. Fairegarden says

    September 6, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    Lovely writing, Carol. Thanks for a philosophical start to the day. Fall is to be savored, and for bulb planting soon.
    Frances

    Reply
  4. Gail says

    September 6, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    A lovely post on this rainy fall like morning! I shall be planting and moving perennials soon. gail

    Reply
  5. Lisa at Greenbow says

    September 6, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    This is a thoughtful post Carol. When those North winds start blowing and the air cools we do start thinking about the coming season. It is difficult not to think ahead knowing the garden needs to be prepared. Whether it is prepared for the coming season or the coming years.

    Reply
  6. Dee/reddirtramblings says

    September 6, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    Beautifully said.~~Dee

    Reply
  7. Layanee says

    September 6, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    Fall gardening chores are so much less frenzied than spring chores. Clean up and bulb planting and checking out where some fall bloomers might like to live. Lovely post.

    Reply
  8. Diana says

    September 6, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    So insightful – gardeners everywhere share your wish to slow down time to languish in the growing season.

    Reply
  9. Dave@TheHomeGarden says

    September 6, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    That's a great quote that sadly is so hard to do!

    Reply
  10. Commonweeder says

    September 6, 2011 at 2:04 pm

    I'd be rushing around right now, but its raining, has been raining and will be raining. I'm enjoying the downtime, but wishing we could share a little of this rain with Texas.

    Reply
  11. MaryAnn LaRose says

    September 6, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    For me, it is sad to have my garden going to sleep for the winter. It always arrives much too soon. It is 40 degrees here in Superior, WI this morning. Learning to slow down and not be in a rush to plan and dream of my garden for next spring is difficult, but I am still learning. Thank you for sharing your beautiful words with us today.

    Reply
  12. Mother Nature's Garden says

    September 6, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    So true. We must savor the moment.

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    September 6, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    During the summer months, I don't do much in the garden but water, and pull the occasional weed. By September, I'm itching to do the things I've been thinking about all summer. Some things will have to wait until the rainy season starts next month, but I'm already rearranging and planting in the irrigated parts of the garden. Yesterday, it was spreading Italian arums around. Today, it will be dividing calla lilies, and spreading them around. Fall is when the Italian arums shine. Does that count?

    Deirdre

    Reply
  14. Indie says

    September 7, 2011 at 4:07 am

    Beautiful post. Fall is my favorite season. It is a season of hope and anticipation that all we sow will come bursting forth with life in spring. For me it is a season of dreams of what might be.

    Reply
  15. Christina says

    September 7, 2011 at 3:46 pm

    It is strange how from the heat of mid-summer it is suddenly autumn. This week the mornings have been noticeably fresher with due left on the ground after the night; giving the plants some refreshment even if it isn’t rain. Autumn is when I can start work on the garden, moving, dividing, planting, in summer it’s too hot and even in spring I can’t guarantee that there will be rain for the plants to establish. So I’m slowly winding up to having more time to garden. Christina

    Reply
  16. compost in my shoe says

    September 7, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    Fall used to be a time to take it all in, enjoy what the year brought. Now it is just as hectic and busy as spring. I like the idea of slowing down. I need to slow down and think about it……..

    Reply
  17. Rose says

    September 7, 2011 at 8:17 pm

    Words of wisdom, Carol. With the cooler temperatures this week, I am really getting into the mood of autumn and thinking about all I want to get done this fall, too. The best part about fall, though, is that what doesn't get done can easily be postponed until spring. Except for planting bulbs…which reminds me I'd better get my orders in!

    Reply
  18. ProfessorRoush says

    September 10, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    A deep and thoughtful post, Carol. Thank you for reminding me what some of the important things are.

    Reply

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