Read by Matilda Longbottom

Fall is Here: Is Your Garden—and Your Soul—Ready for it?!

AAs October arrives and the leaves turn to fiery reds, golds, and oranges, we find ourselves in one of the most magical times of year in the garden. There’s a crispness in the air that reminds us change is coming, but for now, the garden is still ablaze with late-season blooms, the last flush of vegetables, and the peaceful, rhythmic dance of falling leaves. For many of us, October is a time of transition—preparing for the long rest of Winter while soaking in the vibrant colors and quiet moments that only Autumn can offer.

Here at GreenPrints, we love how the garden mirrors life in so many ways. October, with its golden light and shorter days, invites us to pause and reflect on the growth we’ve experienced throughout the year—both in our gardens and in ourselves. It’s a time to savor the season’s beauty, to enjoy the final harvests, and to take stock of the lessons our gardens have taught us. From the unexpected triumphs to the quiet disappointments, there’s always something to learn when we spend time in the soil.

October reminds us that, while the growing season may be winding down, there’s still so much life in the garden. Whether you’re harvesting the last of your tomatoes or simply enjoying the rustle of leaves underfoot, we hope this issue inspires you to embrace the beauty of change and find peace in the slowing rhythm of the season.

And please remember that you’ve already been automatically upgraded for FREE to Food Gardening Network Gold Club Membership—and that includes all the GreenPrints content you’ve been enjoying, plus a whole lot more. You get a full library of magazine issues from three different magazines, articles, gardening guides, videos, kits, and recipes, including:

• GreenPrints Magazine—You continue to get monthly digital magazine issues that deliver entertaining and enjoyable gardening-themed stories and tales, plus gorgeous artwork.
• Food Gardening Magazine—Please check out the library of monthly issues filled with articles about how to start, maintain, and harvest food from your home garden.
• RecipeLion Magazine—Please try out some of the hundreds of delicious and easy-to-make recipes at your fingertips … and use the tips and tricks for developing new cooking skills.
• Gardening GuideBooks—You have instant and unlimited access to more than 65 premium, curated Gardening GuideBooks that cover specific plants. Access all the Gardening GuideBooks now!
• Cookbooks & Recipe Collections—You get full and immediate access to 15 digital cookbooks and recipe collections, with more than 1,340 quick-and-easy, garden-fresh recipes. Never run out of ways to enjoy the fruits of your gardening labor. From single dishes to a whole meal—we’ve got you covered!
• Video Library—Please take time to watch some of the more than 90 videos in our library with gardening tips, tricks, and tactics; do-it-yourself projects for gardening and crafting items; and cooking videos to show you exactlyhow to make specific dishes.
• DIY Crafting Kits—You have full access to printable garden planning calendars to help keep your garden on track, garden and recipe card kits, Greeting Card kits, and gorgeous ArtPrints kits for adorning your walls with beautiful artwork.

And now we bring you this October 2024 issue of GreenPrints for you to find peace, joy, and inspiration!

Here’s a quick summary of what’s new in this issue—I know you’ll enjoy all of these articles:

• Gardening News: Executive Publisher Don Nicholas shares with you his monthly commentary, this time about composting—from what is composting and its history to how you can get started with your own composting pile. It’s not just a trend; it’s a practical process every gardener should consider!
• Garden Planning: Every month, you get advice—and some fun—about a practical, seasonal gardening matter. This month, Food Gardening Network’s Amanda MacArthur gives you advice about growing the perfect pumpkins for roasting seeds. Can’t you just smell and taste these crunchy treats!
• Cultivating Wisdom: Regular contributor Becky Rupp is featured every month, covering topics that divulge all sorts of facts you might not otherwise know. In this issue, Becky covers bomb-sniffing spinach, nickel-mining cabbage, and more—the wonders of science in the garden!
• Garden Giggles: Perennial contributor Mike McGrath delivers his usual knee-slapping—sometimes gut-busting—humor about a river cruise in France with his wife and how he reveled in a raspberry patch, only to get caught!
• Harvesting Health: This month, GreenPrints Executive Editor Bill Dugan covers the health benefits of pumpkins. Learn all about how healthful and flavorful pumpkins can be!
• Green Perspectives: This month, stalwart GreenPrints contributor Diana Wells shares her experiences about Autumn, including her own attempt to grow a dozen apple trees.
• Gardening Life: GreenPrints founder Pat Stone shares his latest story about his gardening adventures—this time, Pat explains how not to get upset as a gardener when animals eat your plants … as long as the growing points are preserved. And how this lesson can translate to your life!
• Seasonal Thoughts: This is my own monthly column, and for October, I share with you my delightful childhood memories of apple orchards—a true family affair in my family!
• Plants We Love: Every month, you get interesting and fun articles about different plants. This month, learn about peanuts, garlic, and pumpkin!

And then there are the perennials in every monthly GreenPrints Magazine issue:

• Stories from the Garden: These mainstays have been part of GreenPrints since our first year of publishing in Spring 1990—34+ years of “gardening stories from the heart” that will lift your spirits and make you smile or laugh.
• Garden to Table Journeys: Every month, you get easy-to-make and delicious recipes to help give your cooking a broader range.
• Letters to GreenPrints: Read messages that readers have sent us—good feedback and sometimes constructive criticism. Read these messages, and we hope you’ll be inspired to send us your own feedback to share.

Check out this entire issue, and I know you’ll find some peace, joy, humor, and inspiration from our October 2024 issue of GreenPrints.

And let me know what you think. I’d truly love to hear from you, especially about all the Food Gardening Network content you can access and use now!

Christy Page

Editor & Publisher

GreenPrints

P.S. Congratulations on the FREE upgrade to Food Gardening Network Gold Club Membership. Please enjoy all the new content.

P.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.