There was an article in the paper today about November being a bit warmer than October this year. Our fall has been quite mild. Well, colder weather has come, and the weather forecasters say we will most likely have to wait until spring before seeing the 50 and 60 degree days we'd been having. That's OK with me. In about 2 1/2 weeks, the days will start to get longer. That's when I normally start relaxing a bit, knowing that spring is on its way.
I got off of work an hour early yesterday, knowing the cold was coming, so I could harvest greens, kale, and what was left of the lettuce, and take care of some pots and things. I was disappointed at the amount of lettuce rabbits had eaten. I can't complain too much, though, because I don't believe I have ever had lettuce to harvest the first day of December.
There is still lots of kale in the garden. It will take colder temps than the lettuce, but lows in the teens are predicted for later in the week, so I picked lots. It stores well in the refrigerator, too. (I just remembered I forgot to harvest some of my Nero Toscana kale. I'll have to see if it's survived the cold so I can pick some tomorrow.)
I've been enjoying the greens from across the street that I mentioned self sowed themselves from the spring planted ones.
The onions across the street were trampled, clawed, or something, and died back before onions could form. I noticed they were growing again this fall. I thought I better pull them and use them as green onions, and then found that they had formed small bulbs. I also harvested as much plain and curly leafed parsley as I thought would get used before it turned bad. I have been enjoying adding some plain leaf parsley to my salads.
I decided to cut back the Queen Anne's lace so that there wouldn't be too many seedlings coming up in the spring. I didn't get an "after" photo taken.
We put Larry's strawberry bag, the lavenders and a few other pots in the egress window well.
Guess what plant is in front of the egress window well, and appears to be behaving fairly well?
My friend, the Short Toothed mountain mint had thrown a runner down into the window, but after taking photos, it got pulled out.
I didn't measure it, but it's over 2 feet down to the bench from the dirt. I forgot to take photos of the pots in here, but we got the space filled up.
Larry brought most of the bags of leaves from a neighbor's yard to the compost at my garden across the street, and I got them dumped as the cooler temps were making their way into town.
My next project is to get some horse manure from a friend, and either put it on the compost, or right into this bed that I plan to plant asparagus in when spring gets here. Maybe I'll get some bags of composted manure, as well. Seeing that bare dirt really makes my green thumb itch to get dirty.
Hi Sue~~ Yes that bare soil does look tantalizing. I hope the thermometer doesn't drop too drastically. I too am psyched about the winter solstice and our days on the up swing again.
ReplyDeleteYou had quite a nice final harvest! That mint sure is determined to find somewhere to set roots in, good thing you caught it :)
ReplyDeleteI was wondering whether you are experiencing the fall now or is it winter? Its nice to have those greens in the bowl.
ReplyDeleteVery unlikely that happens in my place or garden where most people I know rarely enjoy eating salads.
Those greens look yummy! Good job Susan! I got my last white cabbage yesterday.
ReplyDeleteSue, to put my husband and myself out of our veggie garden misery, could you just pop on over and help us? lol
ReplyDeletea beautiful way to look at it Spring is on its way - how diametrically opposed we are. I just planted tomatoes and a pepper..?
ReplyDeleteHi, Sue;
ReplyDeleteHorse manure is my secret ingredient, as well. Keeps my perennials very happy!
Sue you impress me. One because I don't think I could keep gardening in the winter as you do. I think I want the break. Second because just when I am hunkering down for the dark dreary days of our winter you are thinking "hey, spring is on the way." In both instances your optimism humbles me and encourages me. Thank you for that. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, and horse manure is pure gold!
Oh that bare dirt does look inviting, Sue! I've always wanted to plant asparagus, but never seem to get it done. Looks like you've got the perfect spot and have the hard work already done. Amazing that you're still picking greens! I gave up on my vegetables two months ago:)
ReplyDeleteYou seem to garden somewhat like me. I also let lettuce self seed and so always have a supply, we don't have rabbits in our garden to nibble them. We also planted a small asparagus plot this year, after much preparation. We collected sea weed from the beach, leaf mould from under some trees, and we visited a dairy farmer and surprised him by asking for cow manure, mature stuff. Then we bought some good quality compost, and finally some small asparagus plants, then we begged some larger ones off my Mother from her old garden, and now we have a very small plot that will be pickable the year after next. Its a slow business, but so worthwhile in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI also grow lots in pots both large and small, as we now have only a tiny section.
Glad you enjoyed my alien sky photos, just a bit of fun.
I still have lettuce, green onions, parsley, thyme and rosemary growing. Isn't it amazing? But it was so cold today that I think I'm finally going to see the end of my flowers. Boohoo!
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