Autumn eases in quietly, bit by bit, as August’s heat subsides and September’s sun begins its long, slow fade. But the farmers’ work doesn’t slow down. Summer crops need to be nursed to one last harvest. Winter’s crops need be to sown while there’s still light to get them sprouting and warmth to get growing.

So the six-month cycle that began in Spring is repeated again: same tasks, same order. Planting, irrigating, fertilizing. For the lettuce, the kale, the spinach, for the chard and the bok choi.

But autumn’s growing has an edge. While the Spring farmer knows the uneven weather of March and April will get better with longer days and warmer temperatures, the farmer knows the wavering, wandering days of October and November bring the promise of still more difficult days to come. Winter is just over the horizon with cold winds, frigid temperatures, freezing rain and snow.

Get ready: make sure the cops can be protected, make sure they’re prepared for slow and unsteady growth. The sun, once your friend, is turning its back on you and going away.

Begin to button up, prepare to hunker down. Life will be getting harder for a while.