Out with the Old, In with the New: Creating Space for Fall
September is one of my favorite transitional months. The days start getting shorter and the anticipation for fall creates excitement and eagerness for the season ahead. While fall may still feel like a dream on those 95-degree afternoons (this is Texas after all), it’s clear that the seasons are changing. The early mornings are crisp with cooler air and our garden is already telling us it’s time to shift gears.
After months of battling relentless heat, our summer veggies have finally had enough. The watermelon vines have completely taken over, the peppers have slowed to a crawl, and the cucumber vines are more brittle than bountiful. It’s no surprise, Texas summers are no joke! But seeing the garden wither under the brutal heat of so much sun always tugs at our hearts a bit.
Still, this moment of transition is one we embrace. Because even as we pull up the last of the sizzled plants and sweep away wilted stems, we know: it’s not the end. It’s a new beginning. We say goodbye to the vines that gave us so much through the summer months to make space for what’s coming.
Together as a family, we roll up our sleeves and dive into the dirt—revamping our garden beds, refreshing the soil, and dreaming up what fall will bring. Out with the old, in with the new. There’s something incredibly grounding about this process, and even more so when we do it as a family.
For the kids, it’s a playground of possibility. Dirt turns to treasure as they uncover worms, giant grasshoppers, and leaping lizards. Gloves are optional. Dirty fingernails are a must. Getting dirty is half the fun, and every weed they pull or row they help clear becomes part of the experience. It’s messy, yes—but it’s also magic.
We’ve learned that gardening creates valuable teaching moments—about nature, responsibility, patience, and change. It also teaches us joy as we discover the perfect ecosystems put in place by our creator, and the role he has given us to work and tend to the land. These moments root our children not just in the soil, but in something far deeper: gratitude, stewardship, and awe.
When we finish a hot afternoon of garden cleanup, there’s always a reward waiting: icy popsicles and a run through the sprinklers—laughter echoing as the sun dips just a little earlier in the sky.
As we prep the beds for cooler weather, we’re excited to welcome a new season of planting. This fall, we’ll be growing:
🌿 Kale, spinach, lettuce
🥕 Carrots, beets, radishes
🥦 Broccoli
🫘 Snap peas and snow peas
🌱 Cilantro, parsley, dill, and chives
I’m especially looking forward to harvesting these fresh ingredients and using them in some of my favorite fall recipes—from warm soups and roasted veggie bowls to crisp garden salads with fresh herbs straight from our backyard! There is nothing more rewarding!
Gardening in Texas isn’t always easy. The heat tests us, the bugs test us, and the soil can be stubborn. But it’s also where we grow the most—not just in what we plant, but in how we connect.
So as we clear away the remnants of summer, we’re not just making space in our raised beds—we’re making space in our lives for what’s next. The fall garden may be more modest than summer’s wild abundance, but it’s rich with potential. And the best part? We’re doing it together.
Here’s to sun-soaked days, dirty hands, garden-to-table meals, and the promise of something new.
Happy fall gardening, y’all!!! 🌿🍂🍧
What are you planting in your fall garden? Share in the comments below!