Icy cold weather is coming in here this weekend. The ground will be freezing. Time for me to pull the last of my carrots, celeriac, beets, cilantro, and leeks tomorrow morning. I’ll pick some herbs: sage, thyme, and oregano the dry for winter use. I’ll bring my potted rosemary plants in. all my outdoor pots need to be turned on their sides so they don’t crack during the winter.

My husband and I have been raking leaves the last couple weeks and I’ve added many back to my berry bushes to protect them. I’m hoping to keep my bees warmer this winter by adding a couple insulation panels to their hives soon. My chickens are good. They’ve finished molting and have nice new down jackets. I’ve turned their heated water tank on now and a light bulb in their coop comes on at 3:45 am. I’m glad it’s them and not me getting up that early! But they need 12 hours of light a day to lay eggs and they roost well before 4 pm now.