Autumn in Israel is not noticeable as usual by the leaves falling from the trees, the lower temperatures or the frequent rain.
No!
Autumn arrives here, almost gradually and silently. It stays a constant 30-35 degrees, it doesn’t rain and the trees keep their leaves well into the winter.
Do you know how to recognize autumn?
The low sun, which no longer burns so badly on your skin, the wind that smells of a fresh breeze, the yellow grass that has dried to the core and is literally crying out for water. It’s almost as if the flora and fauna are fed up with the heat and are all waiting for one thing: the rain and the cooler weather!
Everyone who lives in Israel knows that after the Feast of Tabernacles (which takes place at the end of September or beginning of October) the rain comes around the corner. At this time of year, my anticipation couldn’t be greater. Have you ever had the thought – what would I give up for some rain?
Just the thought of fresh air and less intense sunshine puts you in a good mood. The legs call out for exercise, hiking in the mountains, walking in the valleys. Jackets and boots are taken out of the deepest corners of the storeroom, although it seems a bit ridiculous at +35 degrees. Umbrellas are already on sale in the stores at the beginning of October. It’s like in Germany when the Santa Clauses are in the stores. There is a sense of anticipation.
Everything points to a new awakening. Soon we will be able to wake up from our “heat doze” and take a deep breath of fresh air. Soon…
…and there’s still a lot to do before then. After nine months of drought, everything has to be prepared for the rain and storms. The roof is tested for rain resistance. The water bailer and its power supply are checked so that it does not suddenly fail in winter. Everything in the garden should be windproof. In some citiesthere is a flood every year where the water is up to half a meter high. Rain boots are brought out and warm socks are a must.
The anticipation is building!
Although we are really looking forward to this time, we must not lose sight of next year. One of our tasks in the fall is to think about and prepare the garden for spring. The soil must be fed with compost and the seeds should be planted soon so that they grow optimally. We try to make our garden as diverse as possible. With lots of vegetables and herbs, and in Israel the variety and selection of seeds is very large. Did you know that there are herbs here that were already used in Bible times? I always find it fascinating that I can plant something that existed around 2000 years ago.
I’m happy that I can do something that fulfills me. In our time, many things are unclear, I have the feeling that I can’t plan far into the future because many things are unclear, or rather, I lack a bit of foresight for our future. The fact that I can at least plan the next season in my garden gives me all the more security.

Even if we don’t have much time left for the here and now due to the many tasks (whether fun or stressful), we try to stop whenever we can, take a deep breath and live in the moment. This is also important, because the next season always comes.
The rain will come and wash away the dust, clean the air and we will have exactly three months to experience how nature reawakens around us. We enjoy their beauty… but there is still a lot to do before the rain comes.