THE OPTIMISTIC FARMER-November 2026
2026 November Edition
Tall and (Small) Tales from the Great Basin of Northeast Nevada
First things first...if you are reading this and you did not set your clocks back, do it now!
The clocks that don't automatically figure it out anyway, the not so smart clocks! All of this can only mean one thing, November is here!! Cold nights are setting in; rain and snow are likely to make more appearances and hopefully the freezer is full of vegetables for soups and stews to add warmth and sustenance through the winter!
News from the Garden
Since we are on the topic of time, it appears it is that time of the year when you may find yourself with too much "thyme" on your hands!! Luckily there are endless things you can do with thyme; in cooking it is a great herb to add to meats, stews, soups, and vegetables. Thyme is a great for herbal teas and also makes a great addition to infusions and cocktails! Thyme is one of the big four as in parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme, all essentials for that holiday turkey and stuffing!
Click here to listen to Simon and Garfunkel: Bing Videos
Innovations and Ideas
You buy a treadmill and three months later is it a great place to hang your extra clothes, there are no limits to humanity's ability to improvise. That is why duct tape and baling wire are steady sellers. In the world of the gardener improvising almost becomes a way of life. Imagine the surprise to learn that the plant holders in our vehicles also hold our cups of coffee!! Who knew?!?!
Inner Work
The concept of this month is detachment, are there benefits in detaching from time to time? Detaching is the ability to disconnect or separate yourself from circumstances and events and yes, there may definitely be benefits, depending on what you are detaching from...
Standing back and not trying to force an issue may allow time for solutions to emerge!! The only constant is change, so being able to allow others to be who they are and releasing attachment to outcomes may be the most important inner work you can do!
Plants in Science:
There is so much science behind preserving food that there are entire classes that revolve around it! First of all, preservation works by slowing or stopping microbes, enzymes, and oxidation! How is all of this done, mainly my lowering the pH, removing oxygen, or applying heat! Salting, drying, smoking, and fermentation were some of the first methods of preservation, now technology has evolved to freezing, and canning! The sky is the limit when it comes to foods and the many ways to preserve, the internet can be your friend for research and there are probably gardeners in your circle that have a lot of tribal knowledge as well. Preserved fruits and vegetables can provide healthy options to add to meals throughout the winter and keep you excited about next seasons crops! Building a network of other canners can provide trade options, because one person may have a zucchini bonanza and another may have more carrots than they need.
Back to the science of why food goes bad and may become an addition to the compost pile instead of the winter pantry. Bacteria, yeast, and molds feed on the nutrients and love warm moist conditions. Even after harvesting enzymes continue to do their thing causing browning, and spoilage, and oxidation degrades color and flavor as exposure to oxygen happens. That is why preservation methods work to reduce these reasons.
Imagine the options...sun dried tomatoes, dill pickles, sauerkraut, dried peaches, raisins, frozen carrots and onions, pumpkin puree, and hot sauce!!
Last, but Not Least: Duly noted....
Taking notes, be it a notebook, garden app, iPhone notes or with your camera, can really come in handy this time of year, is there a plant that just wowed you this year and you don't want to forget what it was for next season? Take a picture, jot a note! Or the dreaded vice versa a plant that you do not want to try again, well for whatever reason?
On the side of remember this one for next year, take note of the Gaura, also known as the wandflower. Long stems lined with delicate white and pink flowers explode from behind your container of petunias or snapdragons; the contrast is stunning!! Plant them by themselves too in a container of their own or in a special section of the garden. They bloom during the summer and fall, and they are perennials in zones 5-9! You will be dazzled with their elegance for months! The needs of the wandflower include a full sun location, well-draining soil, and interestingly fertilizer makes the plants droop, so go easy, if at all! The plants are drought resistant and tolerate heat and the sun!
Propagation of the Gaura is best done from cuttings and can also be started from seeds, be aware that most plants you buy are from hybrids, so the seeds may not be true to the parent. It is fun and good for a few oohs and awws from fellow gardeners, so take note and if so inclined, try some next season here and there.
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