November 10, 2007

fall crops update

Next year, I’ll plant my fall crops a few weeks earlier. The broccoli looks nice, but no signs of florets yet. My peas are blooming well – maybe they’ll produce some peas yet. They’re in a very warm spot right next to the south wall of the house. But its getting pretty cold now. The arugula and endive were meant to be a summer crop, but didn’t grow until it cooled off. They’re doing well now. My kale is doing great too, but then I planted that early last spring.…

November 10, 2007

dinosaur kale with fleabane

BrassicaceaeKale (Brassica oleracea, Acephala Group)

November 8, 2007

wishing for a plot

I went by the community garden plots last weekend. Though I will not get assigned one ’til April of next year, I was wandering through, thinking of which one I would like. I spoke with two gardener who said they loved gardening there. They mentioned a couple of plots at the north side, near the meadow, that seemed unused. These are just where I would like to be. One is covered with raspberries, which are prolific in the gardens and everyone picks. I don’t want to remove nice berries. But…

November 4, 2007

garden cleanup

Yesterday morning, before the storm, Skippy and I finished up the fall garden cleanup. All of the summer vegetable plants are now removed, the garden has been raked and I planted a big bag of winter rye seed. I also put in the first of my garlic. I planted two rows, and have several more to plant later – maybe today. Hurricane Noel, who came up the coast near us as a Nor’easter, gave us some rain and a bit of wind all afternoon yesterday, but didn’t cause us any…

November 3, 2007

blue basil on the windowsill

I pulled up my basil on Thursday. I’m enjoying these purple flowers on my kitchen windowsill. basil (Ocimum basilicum)

November 3, 2007

lots of green tomatoes

Yesterday I picked all of my tomatoes, since I thought it might frost. It got down to about 38F – no frost yet. I’ll put this box in the basement and try to remember to check it regularly. Last year pretty nearly all of my green tomatoes ripened within a month of picking. Solanum lycopersicum

November 2, 2007

aerial view

Maybe I can post an “after” view soon. After taking this picture, I cleaned up all the summer crops. I have a big bag of winter rye seed to plant soon, hopefully tomorrow morning – before Noel waters for me. My garden is supposed to get an inch of rain and 40-50 mph winds tomorrow afternoon from Noel, the tropical hurricane now a Nor’easter and heading up the US coast. aerial views of my home vegetable garden

November 1, 2007

November tomatoes

The plants are a little cold nipped on the top, but still lots of tomatoes. The day before we get a frost I’ll pick all the tomatoes and take down the plants. Solanum lycopersicum

November 1, 2007

Happy Halloween

I bought a nice big pumpkin to carve for Halloween. My son carved it and I am saving the seeds to plant next year. The pumpkin I grew in my garden is the tiny one on the table next the two gourds – also from my garden. Skippy was surprised and barked loudly at all the kids who dressed up as Elmo or a dinosaur and came to our door for candy tonight. Happy Halloween! Pumpkin — Cucurbitaceae spp.

October 27, 2007

pretty weeds

wildflowers, weeds, invasives and natives

weeks and counting until my last spring frost

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