October Musings 2026
October greetings fellow gardeners and nature enthusiasts,
Just before the frost--a gifted pumpkin & some of my harvest to enjoy inside!
I begin this month’s happenings on this drippy, dreary, misty, foggy October 13th. It’s too wet to do much outside, so Gene and I make it a morning of running errands. By noon, though, I’m snapping a few foliage pictures, as overcast skies make colors jump. I’ll send them to California, and make a couple of friends jealous. I was not expecting it to be such a beautiful autumn.
On the way to the compost pile I thought I had previously dropped a half rotted butternut. Nope a mighty mushroom!
Back to September for a couple of worthy moments. I was able to harvest and dehydrate a boatload of hops throughout August and into September, and so beer-making began September 26th. The hope is to make improvements over the initial trial last year. Josh and Travis are very excited. We’ll see…
Other than that, on a totally different note, Gene flushed a junco on the way to fill a bird feeder on September 18th. That was really early. Does this mean the bird population will return in blockbuster numbers after so many of us saw so few for way too long? We hope.
On to October, the month of harvesting the last of the late crops and the beginning of big-time cleanup. Since we had a serious squash bug problem in the acorn and butternut patch, once all was harvested, we decided to do a controlled burn there to fry the buggers. That did a jolly good job! I was a little concerned that a good percentage of the squash didn’t fully ripen to that “just the right color”, but the squash turned out much better than expected.
Johnny Jump Ups say no to frost!
After returning from a wonderful friend-packed and foliage-packed down east trip of several days (Maine coastal route spectacular), I woke to the first frost early Saturday morning, the 10th. Cucumber leaves drooped like partially opened umbrellas, still transparent in the morning sun. The top half of basil plants are chocolate brown, but I’ll use those green bottom leaves. Downy mildew, always an issue before, has not been a problem on basil this year. Now I’m eating my way through the last of the berries in the raspberry patch as I cut canes to ground level. Probably downed a few ants, too!
The blossoms of this hydrangea ripen to deep rose. So pretty.
With the exception of some beets and spinach still lingering in the garden on October 16th, the rest has been stored or put by. Somehow I have managed to stay ahead of the game, and am well pleased. I am now finishing the arduous task of sterilizing all the cages, poles, and stakes that will then be stored for the winter. Then comes more weeding, lawn mower mulching of leaves that will cover the gardens. More perennial bed work awaits. But it’s time to stand back a while, and admire the clump of native goldenrod. Heavy bumble bees have warmed up enough and now make the flat blooms dance. Elsewhere Purple Beauty berries brighten a drab spot. Ferns are golden against the deep green of boxwood. A truly transformative time. Can’t imagine why I’m never really done…
Today, the 19th, I will be preparing the three 16 ft. rows for garlic. I incorporate about 3” of our own compost, about 2” of Coast of Maine Castine Raised Bed Mix (which I always use in-ground), and Espoma Bulb-tone. Only then will I be ready to plant several varieties of garlic by the clove 8” apart.
October 17th: The Time Has Come & It Is Awesome!
But last Saturday was that special day to gather together and tap the kegs. Oh yeah, the beer was well improved. Yet Travis is already on to next year, as he judges the yeast to have been a little too cool in the process. Could do better, he says. I dunno- I have no complaints. Time to divide off a section of the hops plant that grew 35 ft. up the birch tree and start another along the chicken fence.
The robins are back churning up the garden. Blackbirds are devouring sumac seed heads. Viburnums are devoid of berries by way of bluebirds, titmouse, and house finches. More beloved juncos flit about. Bluebirds are again arguing over the birdhouse. A couple of deer have shown up. The birdbath iced over last night. The seasons roll over. Seems like all is well.
That’s it for now.
Judy the plucky farmer.