Each autumn, there is winter prep to be done. That is just the way it is in the Minnesota climate. Some tasks are of the proactive type to prevent water pipes and septic systems from freezing and to maintain a source of warmth throughout the house. Other winter prep tasks make spring's arrival so much easier when there is much to be done.
Cleaning my potting shed was one such task. I began by sorting items into categories so that I could better realize the scope of clutter. Next, after eliminating broken, unusable items, I set aside what I decided was a reasonable number of duplicate items to keep, then I discarded the remainder by recycling, repurposing, donating, or placing in the garbage. What remained was easily organized in my potting shed and will make finding seed starting and seedling repotting supplies a breeze.
The season's harvest has been gathered and the garden space tidied. Tarps, secured with bungees to prevent the brisk north winds from whisking them away, are draped over the greenhouse. Animals in the surrounding woods know, too, that winter will soon arrive, so they are, likewise, scurrying to store up food...some of which came from my garden, finding new homes, or cleaning and insulating their old ones. It is now time for the land to rest.