The last of the pumpkins, watermelons, radishes, spinach, and arugula have been gathered, their colors and flavors marking the close of our first fruitful season. Rows of once-bursting beds now rest under a blanket of fallen leaves and mulch. The flowers that painted the fields with color through the summer and fall have faded, and at first glance, the farm might seem still—perhaps even a little sad and empty. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Beneath the soil, life continues quietly. Peonies, garlic, and a host of other bulbs lie nestled in the earth, resting and waiting for the right moment to return. The beds, now tucked in for the winter, are far from barren—they’re full of promise. The mulch and leaves serve as both a blanket and a meal, protecting the soil from the cold while feeding the living network beneath it. Winter on the farm is a time of restoration. While the surface may seem still, the soil is alive with unseen energy. Roots strengthen, nutrients cycle, and the groundwork for next season’s abundance is already being laid. So, though the fields may look quiet now, they hold the hum of life beneath—a reminder that even in dormancy, growth never truly stops. Spring will come, and with it, the peonies will bloom, the garlic will stretch upward, and the farm will awaken, vibrant and ready to begin the cycle anew.