As we approach Autumn in the coming days Dane and I have been working extreamly hard bringing in the Harvests of seeds, Fresh produce and sowing seeds for the next crop. It is a busy time of year and pressure is on to beat the critters to the seeds in the open-air gardens. The harvest season is a time of great abundance and joy for those of us who live seasonally, tables are abundant with the fruit and vegetable we've worked so hard to grow. Crops are swapped with others in the community and there's a great feeling of accomplishment .
It can also be a time of great stress and anxiety, as we must work long hours to bring in the crops before the weather turns bad, the heat of the end of summer sun and high UV means early and late working time until it starts to cool down later in Autumn. Once the harvest is complete the work is not done and we must then process the harvest for storage.
Coping with the Harvest
Navigating the stress of the harvest requires a delicate balance. We've learned the importance of prioritizing rest and exercise, even when the to-do list seems endless. This is a constant juggle, especially when you're balancing the demands of children and their extracurricular activities.
In true Australian style, we've embraced the tradition of "smoko," or as we prefer to call it, "tea time." These breaks are our lifeline, a chance to step away from the fields and recharge. We retreat indoors for a few hours of respite, sipping tea, preparing dinner, and tackling the administrative tasks that inevitably pile up. It's a moment to catch our breath before heading back out to face the remaining tasks.
Preparing for winter
As the crisp Tasmanian air deepens and the days dwindle, our focus gracefully transitions to winter's embrace. The vibrant hues of autumn now guide us toward preservation, fermentation, and freezing, ensuring the bountiful harvest will sustain us through the leaner months ahead. Here, in Tasmania, we know the "hunger gap" of late winter and early spring all too well. It's a time when fresh produce is scarce, but our diligent autumn efforts will ensure our pantry is stocked and ready to nourish us.
Beyond our own larder, we continue to weave a tapestry of community support through trading. Sharing our preserved goods and the fruits of our labor strengthens our bonds, transforming the long, dark winter months into a time of shared warmth and camaraderie. There's a special joy in knowing that a jar of our pickled beets or a bottle of our apple chutney is brightening someone else's winter table.
Living seasonally is indeed an intricate dance, a rhythm that has become the very heartbeat of our lives. While the cycles of planting, harvesting, and preserving can sometimes echo a sense of "groundhog day," there's a profound comfort in the predictability of nature's cadence. We find solace in knowing what comes next, in the familiar rituals that connect us to the land. This seasonal existence is a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness inherent in those who choose to live in harmony with the natural world. And though the work is demanding, the rewards – tangible and the intangible– are truly immeasurable.