Today, the month of September starts. The high-energy of summer is now starting to wane to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We wind down in the fall and stay cozy in the winter. However, as a gardening novitiate, I love working in my garden in the fall for many reasons.
First, the weather is cooler, and I “extend” my working times instead of trying to brave the blistering heat (or hide from it, which I most often do). Second, all the materials are cheaper. That includes soil, and other gardening “luxuries” one would typically purchase from a big-box store. Just yesterday, I purchased a bag of organic, enriched soil that would typically sell for $6.48 for $3. $3 is the same price I would typically purchase for top soil! I also purchased a galvanized steel tomato cage for sale for $1. That’s cheaper than the Dollar Tree! No Dollar Tree DIY hacks needed! Finally, if you compost or make your garden beds ahead of time during the summer, the soil will be ready for prep in the fall.
As a beginner gardener, I do not have all the tools that most gardeners have on social media. I also do not have the funds to splurge all at once for this hobby. I regret to say I have wasted money in the past and purchased material or supplies I either did not need or were the wrong items. I am treating gardening as a long-term sport, and I have changed my mindset on it. In the age of social media, it is so easy to just say, “I want my garden to look like this and that now!” But, that does take time and money. So, by giving myself time, I buy what I need, but wait for what I want. Rather than rush to the store in the summer as soon as the gardening displays are being set up, perhaps wait until the beginning of fall time when things are being cleared away (a.k.a. on “clearance”).
Hope you have a wonderful time gardening this fall friends :).
B.