At the Gate
Read by Matilda Longbottom
November settles quietly into the garden, wrapping it in a cool, earthy calm. The brilliant colors of October have faded, leaving behind a softer, more reflective beauty—bare branches, rustling leaves, and the first glimmers of frost. It’s a month for tucking things in and buttoning them up: planting garlic, mulching beds, cleaning tools, and giving thanks for the year’s harvest. The pace slows, but the gardener’s heart stays full—because even as the earth rests, we’re already dreaming of what will bloom again come Spring.
We are embracing gratitude this November at GreenPrints. Don Nicholas celebrates the harvest season in Pumpkins, Pilgrims, and a Very Good Harvest, taking us back in time to the very first Thanksgiving celebration. In Thanksgiving,Pat Stone shares his reflections on this wonderful holiday—and I wholeheartedly agree with his sentiment that it is “plants on which we depend.”
Becky Rupp shares her thoughts on Fall in Vermont in The Fall of Freddy. As she so eloquently writes, “But if there’s ever a lesson from November, it’s to look forward and keep hanging on.” In Bringing Sunshine Inside by Growing Citrus Indoors Through Winter, Amanda MacArthur reminds us that we don’t have to stop growing just because Winter is upon us. I’m now very eager to add a citrus tree to my indoor décor.
Our Plants We Love this month focus on potatoes, Sun Gold tomatoes, grapefruit, and basil. Bill Dugan highlights the impressive health benefits of potatoes—did you know that a medium potato can supply nearly half your daily vitamin C needs? So, when I’m spooning mashed potatoes onto my plate this Thanksgiving, I’ll take comfort in all those vitamins—and maybe even leave the skins on for an extra boost of fiber!
In Stories from the Garden, we continue to reflect on gratitude while looking forward to the Winter ahead. In Seeds of Renewal, Aimee Claire Cooks recalls how her nana “transformed every harvest into magic at the table.” I couldn’t agree more with her reflection that “healing the earth and healing ourselves both begin with the soil.” Hannah Dougherty Campbell helps us welcome Winter’s arrival with Snow Day Memories. I often get caught up in the inconvenience of snow, but she inspires me to pause and appreciate her suggestion: “If you’re lucky enough to watch the snow falling this Winter, take a moment to enjoy the simple beauty of it all.”
Don Nicholas also shares his love of Thanksgiving meals and traditions in our Garden to Table Recipe Collection. In this collection, you’ll find recipes that are not only delicious but also deeply personal. From the perfect green bean casserole that redefines a classic dish with a gourmet twist, to a zesty orange cranberry relish that brings a taste of California sunshine to our New England table, each recipe is crafted to inspire and delight. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a Thanksgiving novice, I hope these recipes bring a smile to your face and a sense of warmth to your holiday celebration.
November also brings us the literary works of Diana Wells in the Green Perspectives Story Collection. A long-time contributor to GreenPrints, Diana has given us story after story that blends botanical fact with personal anecdote, literary reference with earthy detail—and often, just enough mischief to remind us that gardening is never quite what we expect. This collection gathers many of her most memorable tales, each one a reminder that plants, people, and the peculiarities of both are forever intertwined.
In the quiet of November, the garden rests beneath its mulch, tools are put away, and the air smells of woodsmoke and earth. There’s comfort in knowing the work is done for now and the time to rest has come. Winter is near, but life stirs quietly below, promising that the garden—and the joy it brings—will return soon.
Christy Page
Editor & Publisher
GreenPrints
P.S. And please email me with your feedback about GreenPrints and all the new food-gardening content that’s part of your membership: christy@mequoda.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Or share your comments below, so all our readers can benefit from your feedback.
