The Garden Is Making Plans Behind My Back

I've been gardening long enough to know that having a plan and having a garden that follows the plan are two entirely different things.

Apparently, nobody told the plants they're supposed to consult me first.

Now that autumn has arrived, the garden is doing what gardens do. Some plants are finishing up, others are dropping seeds wherever they please, and a few seem determined to pretend winter isn't coming.

And I'm watching the whole thing with a cup of coffee, wondering how much of next year's garden is already being decided without me.

Little Controlled Chaos

I've never been much for perfectly straight rows and plants standing at attention. I like flowers tucked among vegetables, herbs spilling into unexpected places, and enough variety to keep the bees busy.

I call it controlled chaos.

The trouble is, sometimes the garden forgets the controlled part.

Morning glories are a perfect example. They're my favorite flowers, and I plant them every year. This season I'm letting some of them go to seed, hoping they'll surprise me next spring.

Of course, they may decide to grow somewhere completely inconvenient. That's part of the bargain.

What's Happening Beneath Our Feet?

While the flowers are busy making seeds, there's another kind of work happening underground.

Earthworms, fungi, bacteria, and countless other tiny organisms are breaking down organic material and helping build healthier soil.

That's one reason I love layering organic materials instead of digging everything up. My Nevada County red clay isn't exactly famous for being cooperative, but given time, organic matter and soil life can make a remarkable difference.

The worms don't send invoices, either. I appreciate that.

This fall I'm turning some attention to the ground around my raised beds. I want more flowers, especially perennials, and I'd like those spaces to become part of the garden rather than just empty ground between things.

Naturally, the deer will probably have opinions.

Sometimes the Best Thing to Do Is Nothing

It's tempting to tidy everything up as soon as the growing season slows down.

But dried seedheads can feed birds. Hollow stems and fallen leaves can provide shelter for insects and other small creatures. And a little untidiness can be surprisingly useful.

I'm not suggesting we surrender the entire yard to the wilderness. Although, judging by some of my weeds, they seem to think I've already done that.

I'm simply learning to leave a few things alone.

A Little Garden Experiment

Here's something you can try this week.

Take five minutes to walk around your garden, yard, or neighborhood. Look for one plant that's finished flowering.

Does it have seeds? Are birds visiting it? Are insects hiding nearby? Is something new growing beneath it?

You might be surprised how much is happening in a place that looks like it's winding down.

Ready to Start Your Own Fall Garden?

I've put together a Slightly Wild Fall Gardening Guide for anyone who wants to get a garden started without making things unnecessarily complicated.

We'll explore building healthy soil, layering organic materials, and preparing garden beds for spring—with a little help from the worms, of course!

You'll soon find the guide in the Slightly Wild Shop.

Now I'd Love to Hear From You

Do you let plants reseed themselves, or do you prefer to decide exactly where everything grows?

And what's the most unexpected thing that's ever appeared in your garden?

Tell me in the comments. I'm always interested in what other gardeners are discovering.

After all, the tiny things are everything.

Slightly Wild