Verdant View - October 2026

Perhaps

**Chapala Malecon at Sunset**
Photo: Fco. Nava

I’ve been noticing that my monthly bills have increased by approximately $3,500 pesos, or $200 USD, every month. My spending behavior has not changed. I try to live as frugally and gently as possible. What has changed is the increase in prices for basic food, energy, meds., etc. even in my small pueblo of Chapala.

My friend Santiago Baeza recently wrote in his column in the Semanario Laguna newspaper that if we can hold out a bit longer, things may change and get better – an optimistic view, but I wonder. World economies keep evolving. Technology and AI keep growing exponentially, seemingly to help us work and live better, but at what cost? It seems everywhere I look the world is in turmoil.

As I stand looking at the small plot of land that I plan to plant as a vegetable garden, my soul is comforted in the knowledge that the earth will provide sustenance and peace as the plants grow. My soul will feel at home as my hands dig into the earth, planting my seeds, calming my concerns. I know I will feel better every time I visit this garden. I will leave it feeling more centered, more aligned, more connected and ready to face whatever comes my way.

Perhaps Santiago was right. If I hold out a bit longer, perhaps things will get better.

What to plant in October

The weather turns cooler in October and some rains persist. Sometimes the rains continue into October and the wild flowers are in bloom along the roadsides, at their peak in mid-October especially in Mazamitla and Tapalpa. Nights are wonderful and balmy.

Think about plants that are happier with cooler weather. Seeds and transplants of cool-weather-hardy crops can be planted now for harvests from fall through early spring. Keep seedbeds moist and shaded from hot afternoon sun until the seedlings develop two to four true leaves.

Root vegetables: plant beets, radishes, carrots, parsnips, turnips, and rutabaga from seed this month. For a colorful harvest try white, red, purple, and pink radish varieties. Carrots also come in a variety of colors, including yellow, maroon, and several shades of orange. Leafy greens and Brassicas: Lettuces, spinach, and Swiss chard, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi, and cauliflower can be planted from seed or from transplant this month. Alliums: The allium family features strong-tasting veggies like onions, garlic, shallots, chives and leeks. Besides spicing up savory dishes, alliums help deter pests from your garden. Peas: Plant sugar snap peas, snow peas, and garden peas from seed. Be sure to provide the vining plants with a sturdy trellis to climb and enjoy their lovely blossoms. Harvest frequently to encourage plants to produce more peas. Artichoke: Save space for this large, dramatic member of the thistle family (which grows to a full size of 2-3 feet wide and 3-4 feet tall) and you won’t regret it! Plant artichokes from transplants in October and harvest the large flower buds in early spring (you can also leave some buds to open into brilliant periwinkle blooms).

The viveros have gerberas, fuchsias, petunias, pansies, asters, arcotis and calendulas. Plant sweet peas, nasturtium, larkspur, yarrow and viola seeds now for cool weather bloom. Set out gladiola corms. Divide Shasta daisies and start cuttings of chrysanthemums for next year.

Prune, deadhead and clean up all plants in the garden, especially geraniums, which tend to become leggy and messy looking. Despite the sun lowering itself slightly in the sky, the soil is still warm and toasty. The bonus is that the flavor of many crops get tastier due to the upcoming cold winter temperatures concentrating the sugars.

“I have been younger in October than in all the months of spring.”

-W.S. Merwin (1927–2019), “The Love of October”