I have changed locations from south to north and with the changes goes summer weather of South America. Now (in North America) I am picking up leaves in my parent's backyard that have been breaking down since fall. The cold weather and visits from other family members kept me indoors during the first few days of my visit. Once the excitement of Christmas passed I turned my attention to the small backyard garden I help out during my homeland visits.
At first I struggled to get into the work. And then, the more I looked at the leaves, the more I saw their beauty.
Between raking sessions I have been planting some of the potted herbs and trees left around the yard. Previously my mom took part in these planting activities but, since she started working a full time office job, has a great number of plants yet to be established in the ground. That is my job.
Fall and winter is always a hard time to keep potted plants. Squirrels are "squirreling" away walnuts, acorns, and other seeds. Their preferred storage system is digging a hole in potted plants and garden beds, then sticking their seed in for a latter date. And thus, the garden of potted greens suffers greatly.
Still, I persevere. I plant seeds for future microgreens and trim the herbs that have been in pots since my last visit. Winter isn't a time for great harvests. It is the season of great rains, at least in the parched state of California.
There may be little activity above ground, below ground, however, there is a lot of action; decomposition of leaves, composition of nutrients, and the roots of a garden that will prosper come spring.