Grow, little cabbage, grow!
The crazy spring we had - with everything getting into the ground a month late - has really taken its toll on productivity. By now I should have a lot more produce. I'm hoping that a big crop of broccoli, greens, beets, and cabbage will keep our grocery costs low this winter. And heaven forbid I actually grow a carrot! This could be the year, folks, keep your fingers crossed!
Normally our first frost is mid-October. So I still have time for "short season" varieties. Around here most of the seeds have been taken off the shelves (what's with that?). But I can still get some great cool weather, short growing seeds from Ed Hume. The website isn't fancy - but the shipping costs are low ($2 for me!) and they have a good variety. Plus I honestly believe they care about customer service - and its a smaller company, which I like.
I'm also going to be working on some infrastructure so next spring will go smoother. For instance, our big productive garden space - the Square Garden - was too wet to till most of the spring and even summer. So it just laid there growing weeds. I was finally able to mow it off and till it under... but wow. I don't want another wet spring and not have workable soil. So I'm going to work on some permanent raised beds. I've wanted them for a long time but its been the initial investment (materials to build) that has been holding me back. But you know me, I think I can hill billy-up something. And I think I can lay the foundation of a hoop house/covered garden like some of your folks have. I'd love to be able to have fresh greens thru the winter.
So that's what I'm working on this week. I think we got a break in the weather so we should have cooler temperatures and tons of sunshine.
How about you? Anybody else working on fall planting?
Happy Monday!
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13 comments:
I want raised beds, too, but after pricing out the wood to build them they've been put on hold. But a friend of mine came up with a fantastic alternative - old door frames! She found a few people renovating/tearing down old houses and asked them to save her the framing from their old doors. She laid those out in her yard and filled them with soil for her garden and they seem to be working really well for her.
Your "maters" in the previous post look wonderful.:) Ed Hume is a great seed company that I have always had good luck with and they are not too far from where we live. Best of luck with your fall planting and I look forward to hearing more about your covered garden endeavors. Say hi to the pigs for me.:)
Going to start some fall veggies today!
As soon as I pry myself away from the computer and reading everyone's blogs, that is.......
It's still hot as hades here in NC..I haven't started fall , trying to finish up summer ..How's my chicken doing?
Candice - what a great idea!! Hug your friend - wow!!!
Hey Mr H. The bacon's say "hi!" I assumed that Ed Hume was a nationwide company - but its not. I'm spreading the word for sure. And I've been spreading the word about you too - a pal of mine is having trouble with your short growing season out there... so I pointed her your way.
:-)
Hi Carolyn! Dontcha just love seeing what everyone is up to? Have a great day!
Ginny, your little gal is going GREAT! I took some pix this morning that I'll post tomorrow. She's a peach for sure and the best of the bunch. Our day got hot (boo!) but I think we'll have a couple days below 80* this week! Can you imagine?
Fall planting? We have one planting season here, and it is called short!
Fall garden definately in the works. Just a matter if getting my rear out there and doing it. I've been having (i think) success withe the raised beds. Sure makes it easier.
I'm planning to get my fall starts of broccoli and cauliflower planted by this weekend. It is supposed to cool down a bit!
hey CC! yep fall planting - can you believe it?
Dave, you've been having terrific success with your raised bed. I'm totally inspired.
:-)
Hi Robin! Can't wait for the cooler weather - we are swampy and soggy...still.
No fall planting here this year. It is just too severly hot and dry. But, I will enjoy watching yours grow!
We are doing the same thing here. In fact we have little tiny cabbage seeds too. Grow little ones, grow!
Hello Ohiofarmgirl,
I found your blog when searching for how to raise pigs. I am just getting started with the homesteading, been raising chickens and turkeys for a couple years...and rabbits. I live on rented property but I can do pretty much anything here...was a mess when I moved in...slowly getting better. I would like to raise pigs, maybe next year. Your posts are great. I hope you don't mind if I follow along, it is great inspiration!
I started my fall seedlings only two weeks behind schedule, then thought I'd give them a little sunshine and forgot about them in their little greenhouses as the temperature climbed... and climbed... and whoops, they were all cooked. :( Just started some new ones and they've come up a little, but they've still got some growing to do! :) At least I direct-sowed the salad crops, so I probably can't kill those.
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