Say goodbye to a season of toil while counting a harvest of benefits

Mid-September and early October are bittersweet times for gardeners.

The warm days of summer are gone, and winter will soon be here. We’ve passed the average frost date in Spokane of Sept. 15 with only a few reports of damage. The passing of the autumnal equinox has triggered the turning of leaves.

Go ahead and say it: You were secretly hoping for frost.

Early last spring, you looked at the mountains, wishing the snow away so that you could safely plant tender flowers and garden vegetables. Your fingers itched with anticipation to get out and dig into the garden.

Now you are tired after hours of bending and kneeling and raking and hoeing and just want to be done.

Before you wish away these balmy days, consider all the benefits of your efforts.

Your yard is a haven of meditative corners dripping with deep blue hostas and ever-blooming begonia, sun-drenched beds of California poppy and woolly thyme, violet, pink and blue petunias, and bicopa cascading down your favorite planters.

Since we’re taking an inventory, let’s look at you.

Do you think the only benefits of gardening are broken fingernails, green knees and a great tan?

Nothing could be further from the truth. If we could meander through your body as easily as through the garden, you would find some amazing things happening.

Have you ever walked in the garden to clear your mind? Do you sit quietly on the swing under the weeping birch to rock away a nagging headache that started at work?

When was the last time you thought pulling some weeds and turning the compost pile would relieve your tension? It’s amazing, isn’t it — beauty and fitness all in the same package.

According to a study done at the University of Arkansas, scientists discovered that yanking weeds out of the ground and plodding along after a lawn mower are as beneficial to your bones as weight training. You have a lovely yard and money in your pocket instead of at the health club.

European researchers, evaluating how exercise affects blood pressure and cholesterol, discovered that even 30 minutes a day in activities such as gardening were effective in maintaining a healthy heart.

Physical health aside, have you considered what you’ve learned in the garden?

You know the weeds from the flowers, the best location for the strawberries, and the height to mow your lawn. You spent hours last spring poring over seed catalogs and planning new flowerbeds. Mental calisthenics — that’s what it is, and your mind thanks you.

So, instead of inviting Jack Frost to a premature garden party, remember that it is time to start putting our yards to rest and at the same time make notes regarding this year’s garden and what you wish to change for next year.

And, while you’re at it, enjoy the beauty and benefits of gardening.

Preparing for winter

Make sure trees and shrubs are thoroughly watered.

Leave a hose out after you blow out the sprinkler system and continue watering until we get a few days of freezing weather, unless your pipes are at risk of freezing.

Collect seeds from perennials and annuals. Store them in paper envelopes in a cool dry place.

Finish dividing and planting perennials and spring-blooming bulbs.

Assess your lawn and note areas that will need work in the spring. Continue to check plants, shrubs, and trees for insects and diseases.

Remove leaves, needles and other debris that can harbor insects and diseases.

Move the house plants back indoors. First check to be sure they are healthy and free of disease and pests.

Mark perennials as they die back so you do not disturb them when working in the garden.

Harvest garden produce if frost is imminent. Unripe tomatoes can be pulled up by the vine and hung in a cool, dark place to ripen.

Donate what you can to local food banks.

Put out bird feeders and clean birdbaths.