Rituals of Readiness
I spin the globe that sits by my desk. All of my life I have lived in the north. I was born and raised in southern Minnesota at 43.6666 degrees N. latitude and over the years have migrated up to my current location of 48.0095 degrees N. latitude. (The 49th parallel is the boundary between the U.S. and Canada.)
Living in the north requires big attention during the shift from autumn to winter. Before the chill, important rituals of readiness for gardens, yards, and homes need tending. There are no precise dates for these rituals, only approximate guidelines that require me to pay attention during the darkening days of late fall. I love the challenge of being alert enough to track and respond to these changes. How I tend the third of an acre in my care provides much of the foundation for my sense of earth stewardship.
Here in the maritime climate of Whidbey Island, Washington the biggest sign of seasonal change is the return of the rains, coupled with cooling temperatures. Squash plants in the garden just give up—turn yellow and refuse to put any more energy into growing larger. Ritual #1—harvest the garden before things rot. Leave a few plants that prefer late fall.
Carrots in this climate will sweeten and lengthen well into December.
Kale provides another delicious harvest into December.
Because we get such heavy rains in the winter, it is important to plant a cover crop to return nutrients to the soil and to protect the soil from compaction. Ritual #2—plant the cover crop and, of course, the garlic! I love garlic. I plant the cloves from the biggest and best of the previous year’s harvest and green shoots begin to come out of the ground in January, just when I’ve given up all hope of spring returning.
Cover crop of winter rye, crimson clover, and Austrian winter peas planted mid-October after squash is harvested.
Recently planted cover crop carefully protected from the birds until it germinates.
In the Pacific Northwest the biggest and most widespread trees are conifers. We are lucky enough to live next to a guardian Douglas fir tree. Stewarding this huge tree in our backyard requires periodic pruning by an arborist and many, many sessions of blowing needles off the roof and out of the gutters as the winter winds blow. Ritual #3—Clean up after the trees.
Ann blowing fir needles off her roof. photo by Christina Baldwin
As I make my way through my “outdoor TO DO list,” I find myself both focused down on specific tasks, and lifted up to notice the beauty and shifts around me. The red maple leaves are gone, but the birches shimmer yellow in the rain. The mountaintops lie under heavy clouds, then reveal their new snow cover. Rain forecasts for days also bring rainbows and pockets of momentary sun. The fourth and final ritual is the most important. Ritual #4—appreciate the beauty of the season.
Birds migrate through. Rabbits spend more time in their warrens. Chipmunks are virtually invisible. Deer bed in the pockets of undisturbed woods around our home. Evergreen plants and trees carry out their photosynthesis throughout the winter. Time to take a stroll in the State Park near our home as rains revive the mosses. Then home to split wood, light a fire in the stove, have a cup of tea and just be amazed. Ready: plants, animals, and me.
Young buck grazing in the front yard.
Cup of tea and a candle while I watch the garden from the dryness of inside.
Me with one of our State Park old growth Douglas Fir trees. Photo by Margaret J. Wheatley.
Post script: Thanks to my father, Frank M. Brown, who taught me many of these skills. He passed away four years ago this month.
2012. My father at the beloved Colorado ranch where our family gathered every summer for 50 years.
So true, Ann, that very specific autumn beauty of the garden! Every morning we look out into our little garden in awe of its magical colors. It offers a visual gift for that day.
Your ToDo list sounds like Robert’s (this home’s gardener) right now! Thanks for articulating this ritual that is both much work and much reward. Blessings on your autumn time. (Love this photo of your Dad!)
Ann, this is so beautiful. As one who didn’t feel the deep benefits of ritual until the last decade or so, and as one who’s enjoying my own autumn rituals right now (compost making this weekend!), this was so lovely to read. Thank you.
I am doing much the same watch here in New Hampshire as the days darken earlier, the sound of geese cry out from overhead as they move south, the leaves have (mostly) fallen from the stately maples, oaks and elms. Thank you for a beautiful piece, Ann.
“Rituals of readiness” evokes much, both seasonally as you have described, and every time we prepare ourselves to step in with others. Noticing, appreciating, responding, waiting, discerning…all come through in your writing, Ann. Lovely. Love you.
love you Ann, this is beautiful
As someone who was feeling a little burdened by the work of fall, I thank you for transforming the work into ritual … what a lovely shift that is! My father also passed away in November so the ache of his absence is also part of this season and always will be, making it bittersweet on so many levels! Thank you, Ann!
A lovely post. I can imagine you performing these rituals with intention and peaceful presence; and in the case of blowing off the roof – with great care! Thinking of you often as you move through this month. Hugs to you and Christina.
Love your dedication and commitment to your garden and the land. <3
What a generous sharing of your world…it gave me such a sweet opening into my own contemplation today–thank you for the gift!
Ann,
This is so well written and very informative, too. I loved the tribute and picture of our dad! I miss him, too. Thanks for all you do to make the world a better place to live in.
Love, Your sister,
Kathy
Love this….such a wonderful reflection and process. And to end with your Dad. All good–sending love and gratitude at this time of Thanksgiving.
I cried when I read this, Ann. So beautiful. I seem to cry a lot lately. So much beauty. I wish I’d read it sooner. Next year. A cover crop. I don’t know what I’ll do may just support our local farmers and grow flowers and herbs. I seem to do well with herbs.