This month began with freezing cold winds and snow which followed the devastating one-day temperature drop from 75 to 26 degrees (F). This caused my garden to lose over 60% of the seedlings. All of that following a summer of drought, caused me to give up. I closed up the hoop houses, walked away and bought my fresh vegetables at the grocery store. This is all that is left of the bed of assorted unknowns (saved seeds tossed together and recklessly broadcast).
A few times I walked out to the garden and raised the hoop house cover and tried to harvest something.
Two weeks ago the weather changed - it warmed up to the 40s, then the 50s and now at the end of the month, it is in the 60s. When everything was opened yesterday, imagine my shock when I discovered the remaining plants had thrived. There was still a garden out there and it is alive! Finally, after a few rough months, there is something successful to share.
Below on the left side is the row of assorted unknowns that held full-grown plants when the sudden temperature drop hit - almost all died. The row to the right had just been planted a month earlier and were still seedlings. The row to the far left back going toward the shed held sprouting seedlings and all died except for those at the distant end. The hoop house has been rolled up and only covers what survived.
This is the same area exactly two months ago on October 28th.
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| October 28, 2019 |
The area in front of the dead lemongrass plant held the weird plants. The Green Mountain Winter Celtuce was allowed to go to seed and it appears some were dropped. In spite of the horrible weather, or maybe because of it, the seeds have sprouted and are growing. They should have been started fifty days before the last frost or the end of August, according to the instructions from the seed company. They may or may not form the large stems this late but I can still use the lettuce leaves. My plan is to put a cover over some of them to see if it makes a difference.
The lettuces grew quickly and are about to be devoured.
Cascade Glaze, Collard Green has finally lived up to the seed catalog's claim that bugs don't like the shiny leaves. In the spring, every aphid, flea beetle or chewing bug for miles around wanted it for dinner. Evidently, it is best to grow it in cold weather when there are no bugs.
Green in the Snow, Serifon, Mustard, was advertised as being both cold and hot weather tolerant. It has a mild mustard flavor, not pungent and it is doing quite well. The true test will be its performance in the dead of winter. Being named "Green in the Snow" is a high standard. So far, I like it.
Purple Lady Bok Choy is a beautiful color, looks and tastes great in a salad but turns an ugly dark color when sauteed.
Tsa Tsai, Round Stem Mustard took a hard hit from the first frost and is slowly recovering. The stem can be eaten along with the greens; although none have been harvested yet.
Another success is this little group of Machlong, Mache. Getting these seeds to germinate has been difficult over the years for me and other gardening friends.
China Choy was grown from one of my last remaining seeds, only one survived and I can't find it for sale anywhere anymore. Hopefully, it will survive until it bolts so the seeds can be saved.
Most of the Scarlet Kale (left) and Blue Curled Kale (right) survived but they are growing slowly. The fast-growing Chinese vegetables did the best this month although most won't make it through my winters. It seems a vast variety is best.
It is great to have something growing even though earlier I didn't think there would be any fresh vegetables this winter. Planting many different varieties at various stages of growth saved me. Starting plants at the right time is critical, except I can't figure that out, nor repeat the pattern the next year - nothing is constant. Continuing to plod along seems to be my best option.
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Boy, I bet that was such a nice surprise to find all these. Just anything is wonderful when you aren't expecting anything good.
ReplyDeleteFor awhile every time I went to the garden something had died. I guess not looking for a few weeks made the growth even more obvious. Having a garden during the winter still amazes me.
DeleteHooray for lots of viable veggies! Our fall garden is mixed. I've harvested a good amount of kale and collards, the broccoli is especially nice this year, but the lettuce and mixed greens are growing slowly. I fertilized them yesterday, and transplanted 5 volunteer lettuce into the cold frame. Gotta love garden surprises.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't plant a fall garden, but I loved reading about yours. Great photos, too. Can you believe our weather? It was 75 F in east Tenn. yesterday. LOL I've lived here most of my life, but I'm still amused by the weather rollercoaster ride.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
I have lived in Tennessee ALL of my long life and I still can't figure it out! You know the saying, "If you don't like the weather in Tennessee, wait 20 minutes." So true. Keep enjoying the warm weather. I'm sending you some rain, then it will cool down to the upper 50's. I can enjoy that in December also. It has been in the upper 30's at night and since the plants in the garden have hardened off, I am leaving the covers off of the hoop house. I can almost see them growing from the house. I love it.
DeleteHard for farmers who depend on raising crops when the weather is so unpredictable.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!
I suppose predictability would be boring, but I could do with a little boredom.
DeleteHappy new year to you too! Maybe this year will be calmer, but I doubt it.
That's wonderful, and your lettuces look so delicious! I can't imagine growing outdoor things in winter--that would be fabulous. I hope you have a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteBeth, I am still surprised when I lift the hoop house and see green even though I am surrounded by freezing winter. It makes the long, miserable winter more bearable.
Deletesuch a lovely garden! Wishing you a blessed and peaceful new year!
ReplyDeleteI spotted a little gem in your winter garden. That is lamb´s lettuce (mache).It is the most delicious lettuce in winter! It also contains more vitamin C than all others. And also
ReplyDeleteVitamin E.I do not know any other lettuce belonging to the family of Valerianaceae.
I think, mache is the only one. It easily bolts when temperatures get warmer in late spring.
The tiny white blossoms produce many seeds. During germination they must be kept in moist
condition. Best when covered during this time.
Here it is one of the most important winter lettuces.
Christel
I didn't know it was such a healthy green, neither did I know it was called lamb's lettuce! I haven't harvested any because it has just now grown large enough to pick. My focus has been to first eat the greens that won't survive the deep cold of winter. But now I must pick some tomorrow morning and taste the flavor.
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