A Harvest Moon from Wikipedia .
Brad launched this blog site on September 22. Interesting to me because that was the first day of fall, the autumnal equinox. (Equinox Fun Facts)
First, I have to say. The equinox is not. That is, though the word equinox comes from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night), the day and night are NOT equal on the 22nd. This actually occurs at our latitude about the 26th of September. (Interestingly, the day of our fall party, but more on this later, AND halfway to the harvest moon.)
The sun seems to drop lower and as it crosses the equator (of course, due to the earth’s movement, not the sun’s) and the days shortening. It’s interesting to me as a time of transition because it feels like a real seasonal shift. Growing up, I used to mostly notice the change in the light as it became more golden, but now, as a “gentleman farmer” I’ve become aware of other changes as well.
First, the heat of the day is different. Though we’ve been in a heat advisory with days in the 90’s nearing 100, it just feels different—not as intense or direct. As I’ve been working outside, it feels almost pleasant, hot without being blazing. (Yes, yes to all of you who know me thinking I probably wasn’t wearing sunscreen…I know, I know…)
The plants start changing too. Some of the main summer crops like squash and tomatoes, though still productive, do start gearing down. Oh, don’t get me wrong, the summer squash is still producing and the tomatoes and winter squash are still ripening and curing, but the plants start acting like people do on the Friday of a work week…there, engaged, but thinking about quitting time.
Also, for the first time I’ve been starting my own seedlings for the fall garden, so it’s very significant to me that I am working with cooler weather crops like greens, lettuces, and broccoli. This effort has really forced me to plan further ahead that I might typically. And, whereas spring starts need to be protected from the cold and early frost, fall starts need to be protected from the heat and sun.
It’s also interesting because since summer crops are still growing and producing, I need to start making decisions about what will be sacrificed to make room for the new batch of fall crops. It’s a bit brutal really.
The melons were an easy pick. After gorging on watermelons, sharlyn and casaba melons the last couple of months, it’s pretty clear those vine are becoming spent and won’t be making a lot more fruit—gone. The pumpkins are getting bigger and still have some productive time to make good Jack-o’-lantern-worthy fruit (though, the New England Pie vines have started giving up fruit)—stay. Tomatoes have gone wild and will just be left to their crazy tangle of productive stems. (I don’t prune them much.)
So, take some time to notice the autumnal changes occurring around you, and maybe try and take some time to connect personally with this time of year. Make a mindful decision of what the fall means to you, in your life, and what significance you bring to the time of year.
I’ve learned that it is far too simplistic to see it as the beginning of the slide into winter. It really is a vibrant and transitional season and the perfect time to be planning what changes or transitions you want to make to have a productive fall and winter.
Happy Equinox!!!
~Timothy
First, I have to say. The equinox is not. That is, though the word equinox comes from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night), the day and night are NOT equal on the 22nd. This actually occurs at our latitude about the 26th of September. (Interestingly, the day of our fall party, but more on this later, AND halfway to the harvest moon.)
The sun seems to drop lower and as it crosses the equator (of course, due to the earth’s movement, not the sun’s) and the days shortening. It’s interesting to me as a time of transition because it feels like a real seasonal shift. Growing up, I used to mostly notice the change in the light as it became more golden, but now, as a “gentleman farmer” I’ve become aware of other changes as well.
First, the heat of the day is different. Though we’ve been in a heat advisory with days in the 90’s nearing 100, it just feels different—not as intense or direct. As I’ve been working outside, it feels almost pleasant, hot without being blazing. (Yes, yes to all of you who know me thinking I probably wasn’t wearing sunscreen…I know, I know…)
The plants start changing too. Some of the main summer crops like squash and tomatoes, though still productive, do start gearing down. Oh, don’t get me wrong, the summer squash is still producing and the tomatoes and winter squash are still ripening and curing, but the plants start acting like people do on the Friday of a work week…there, engaged, but thinking about quitting time.
Also, for the first time I’ve been starting my own seedlings for the fall garden, so it’s very significant to me that I am working with cooler weather crops like greens, lettuces, and broccoli. This effort has really forced me to plan further ahead that I might typically. And, whereas spring starts need to be protected from the cold and early frost, fall starts need to be protected from the heat and sun.
It’s also interesting because since summer crops are still growing and producing, I need to start making decisions about what will be sacrificed to make room for the new batch of fall crops. It’s a bit brutal really.
The melons were an easy pick. After gorging on watermelons, sharlyn and casaba melons the last couple of months, it’s pretty clear those vine are becoming spent and won’t be making a lot more fruit—gone. The pumpkins are getting bigger and still have some productive time to make good Jack-o’-lantern-worthy fruit (though, the New England Pie vines have started giving up fruit)—stay. Tomatoes have gone wild and will just be left to their crazy tangle of productive stems. (I don’t prune them much.)
So, take some time to notice the autumnal changes occurring around you, and maybe try and take some time to connect personally with this time of year. Make a mindful decision of what the fall means to you, in your life, and what significance you bring to the time of year.
I’ve learned that it is far too simplistic to see it as the beginning of the slide into winter. It really is a vibrant and transitional season and the perfect time to be planning what changes or transitions you want to make to have a productive fall and winter.
Happy Equinox!!!
~Timothy
A work in progress:
Musing on the Equinox
The certainty of summer heat diminishing;
Nature commences ready for winter’s imminence.
The sun draws on intensity lapsed;
harvest moon truly at half-mast.
We gather today at autumn’s waking;
To harvest fellowship of our making.
Part of the 2009 fall pumpkin harvest at RMH.
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