We decided to scale back the Fall garden this year. Our unseasonably warm weather, and then our two weeks of monsoon rains, kept us from getting started at the right time. So instead of trying to plant things that need cool weather and then have temps in the 90's (it was 91 today) or vice versa, plant things that need warm and then it drops to 40's (it was 39 a week ago!) we'll just stay with something simple.
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| Random squash |
But first up, these are squash plants that just came up from seed in the bed where we grew the squash last Spring. Not sure if it's zucchini or yellow squash. Also not sure if it will survive the cooler temps before something comes in but we'll just let it grow and see what happens. Nature finds a way!
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| Cabbage raised beds |
This is new for us to grow. Cabbage. Unfortunately I lost the tag and can't remember the name of the variety but it produces a smaller head than normal (good for two people) so you can plant it closer together and it does well in warm temps and all the way down to freezing. We'll see.
I covered them with straw and watered well.
In another bed I planted Georgia collard greens. Another crop that does well from warm weather all the way down to freezing.
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| Georgia collard greens in raised bed |
Used up the last of the straw for mulch and watered in well. Instead of irrigation on a timer, 2nd Family is going to come up and water as needed. They didn't put in a garden this Fall so they'll help out. If we need to put in the automated irrigation later, it will be easy to add, I've had to do it before.
With a simple garden plan, we can utilize our time until Spring concentrating on other projects around the property and the house.
Tomorrow part two of the other garden plantings.
Gosh, looks like everything is coming up very well.
ReplyDeleteNow to save them tender plants; you can make yourself a DIY covered greenhouse for your raised beds.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/diy-covered-greenhouse-garden-a-removable-cover-solution-to-protect-your-plants-198594
thank you, we'll see how it goes, ha. I like the removable cover. thanks for that!
DeleteI think next year I am going to attempt 2 planting of summer veggies (spring and mid summer). If our weather pattern continues like this there is no reason it shouldn't work.
ReplyDeleteYep, we should have done it sooner. And yes our weather pattern has changed as well. We'll have to see how this Winter goes.
DeleteI try to plant a couple things for a December harvest. If a freeze comes too early I lose everything, just a game I play. This year I have a tomato plant in the ground for 5 weeks now, has blossoms now and looks happy. Also planted red Peppers, at the cost of green bell and red bell peppers I can't afford not to try.
ReplyDeleteSee, I should have planted a tomato or two a few weeks back. Sigh. Oh well. I hope you get some awesome harvest. We do have to play the game with the weather don't we? Peppers in the Fall are a great idea. I'll have to remember that next year. Thanks!!
DeleteYour volunteer squash will probably have time to produce something before we get a frost. It sure looks healthy.
ReplyDeleteThe smaller cabbage you planted - would it be Early Jersey Wakefield? That is a common variety to plant in this area and it is smaller. I have tried several varieties and sizes for the past several years and have now settled on the Early Jersey. It is very tasty and tender. It will survive our usual winter freezes down to the upper 20's.
Looks like you're going to have plenty of greens with a whole bed of Collards. For my greens, I planted mustard spinach; also Bright Lights Swiss Chard, which has colored stems of yellow, red, orange, etc. So pretty is a stir-fry.
It came up entirely on it's own. When it first started popping up, I almost pulled it thinking it was a weed but then I looked and thought "hmm, this might be a squash....". Sure enough. I hope it makes it but nature will decide, ha.
DeleteI do remember "jersey" in the name, I think. I know I picked up one that said that, not sure if that's what I ended up with. I'l have to watch and see. Shame I don't know so I can't plan for next year but we'll see. Yeah, lots of collards but we do love them that's for sure. I was SO close to buying the multi color Swiss chard but when I decided to scale back I didn't. Wish I had now, ha.
You might have scaled back but I think you made very good planting choices!
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks for that. Coming from you that makes us feel good. You always inspire us!
DeleteThankfully to warm weather you have planted new veggies, well done. It have to be used, I think they will grow until frost. If you have frost in your place :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, fingers crossed for sure!!! We get frost on occasion, ha.
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