As of December 15th, 2 of the three kinds of garlic I originally planted have come up. The soft neck garlic that I planted from last year's seed (Loiacono) is at about 6-8 inches now, and the hard neck variety that Emily's mom brought from NY is about 4-6 inches.
The new hard neck variety from Southern Exposure (Appalachian Red) has not come up at all. I found one clove that has broken the surface about half of an inch, and a few that *might* be bulging the dirt a bit, but it had me worried.
So when we got a few heads fro the CSA of "Red Garlic", I figured I might as well plant one of the heads just in case the new Appalachian Red does not come up. The good news is that in the past few weeks, I have asked a seasoned garlic gardener (Mr. Speck) and searched around on the net, and it seems that it should be fine that some of the cloves have not broken the surface. They are most likely still doing their thing underground, and in the spring it will all come up.
As of Christmas, the newly planted stuff had not come up yet, and neither has the Appalachian Red. I wonder if they end up turning out to be the same exact variety.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
What was in the garden (and when)
March 4th, 2012
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint |
| In the front | N/A |
| Growing indoors | Collard greens, Spinach, Bib Lettuce, Parsley, Poblano Peppers, Anaheim Peppers, Basil, Aster, Celosia, Tithonia |
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus,Snow peas, Snap peas, Spinach, Marigolds |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint |
| In the front | N/A |
| Growing indoors | Collard greens, Spinach, Bib Lettuce, Parsley, Poblano Peppers, Anaheim Peppers, Basil, Aster, Celosia, Tithonia |
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Spinach, Marigolds, Onions |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint |
| In the front | N/A |
| Growing indoors | Collard greens, Spinach, Bib Lettuce, Parsley, Poblano Peppers, Anaheim Peppers, Basil, Aster, Celosia, Tithonia |
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Spinach, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions |
| In the front | N/A |
| Growing indoors | Collard greens, Spinach, Bib Lettuce, Parsley, Poblano Peppers, Anaheim Peppers, Basil, Aster, Celosia, Tithonia |
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Spinach, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale,Collards, Bibb Lettuce |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions |
| In the front | Pole Beans, Summer Squash, Aster, Celosia, Tithonia |
| Growing indoors | Poblano Peppers, Anaheim Peppers, Basil |
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Spinach, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions |
| In the front | Pole Beans, Summer Squash, Aster, Celosia, Tithonia |
| Growing indoors | Poblano Peppers, Anaheim Peppers, Basil |
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Spinach, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil |
| In the front | Pole Beans, Summer Squash, Aster, Celosia, Tithonia |
| Growing indoors | Poblano Peppers, Anaheim Peppers |
April 23rd, 2012
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Spinach, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix |
| In containers: | Mortgage lifter tomato, Super 100 Tomato, Patio Tomato, (More) Basil |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender |
| In the front | Pole Beans, Summer Squash, Aster, Celosia, Tithonia |
| Growing indoors | Poblano Peppers, Anaheim Peppers |
April 30th, 2012
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Spinach, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix, Jalapeno, Chili |
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender |
| In the front | Pole Beans, Summer Squash, Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Nicotiana, Dahlias |
| Growing indoors | Poblano Peppers, Anaheim Peppers |
May 5th, 2012
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Spinach, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix, Jalapeno, Picante Chili |
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender |
| In the front | Pole Beans, Straight neck summer squash, Crookneck summer squash, Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Nicotiana, Dahlias |
| Being hardened outside | Poblano Peppers, Anaheim Peppers |
May 5th, 2012
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Spinach, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix, Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim |
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender |
| In the front | Pole Beans, Straight neck summer squash, Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Nicotiana, Dahlias |
May 19th, 2012
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Spinach, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix, Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim, Winter Squash |
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender, Dill, Cilantro |
| In the front | Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias |
May 24nd, 2012
| In the main garden: | Garlic, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix, Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim, Winter Squash |
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender, Dill, Cilantro |
| In the front | Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias |
May 30th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Garlic, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix, Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim, Butternut Squash, Acorn Squash, Cantaloupe
|
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender, Dill, Cilantro |
| In the front | Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias, Straight neck summer squash, Cucumbers, Pole beans |
June 5th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Garlic, Asparagus, Snow peas, Snap peas, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix, Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim, Butternut Squash, Acorn Squash, Cantaloupe, Sweet potatoes
|
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender, Dill, Cilantro |
| In the front | Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias, Straight neck summer squash, Cucumbers, Pole beans |
June 14th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Garlic, Asparagus,
|
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender, Dill, Cilantro |
| In the front | Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias, Straight neck summer squash, Cucumbers, Pole beans |
June 20th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Garlic, Asparagus, Marigolds, Onions, Bush Beans, Radishes, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix, Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim, Butternut Squash, Acorn Squash, Cantaloupe, Sweet potatoes, Cucumbers
|
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender, Dill, Cilantro |
| In the front | Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias, Straight neck summer squash, Cucumbers, Pole beans |
June 27th, 2012
| In the main garden: | |
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender, Dill, Cilantro |
| In the front | Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias, Straight neck summer squash, Cucumbers, Pole beans |
July 10th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Asparagus, Marigolds,
|
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender, Dill, Cilantro |
| In the front | Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias, Straight neck summer squash, Cucumbers, Pole beans |
July 17th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Asparagus, Marigolds, Bush Beans, Kale, Collards, Bibb Lettuce, Green and Red lettuce mix, Stir-fry greens mix, Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim, Butternut Squash, Acorn Squash, Cantaloupe, Sweet potatoes, Cucumbers
|
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Onions, Basil, Lavender, Dill, Cilantro |
| In the front | Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias, Straight neck summer squash, Cucumbers, Pole beans |
August 28th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Asparagus, Marigolds, Bush Beans, Kale, Collards
Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim, Butternut Squash, Acorn Squash, Cantaloupe, Sweet potatoes, Cucumbers, Radishes |
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Basil, Lavender, Cilantro |
| In the front | Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias, Straight neck summer squash, Cucumbers, Pole beans |
September 15th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Asparagus, Marigolds, Bush Beans,
Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim |
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Basil, Lavender, Cilantro |
| In the front | Aster, Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias, Straight neck summer squash, Cucumbers, Pole beans |
September 24th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Asparagus, Marigolds, Bush Beans,
Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim |
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Basil, Lavender, Cilantro |
| In the front |
October 5th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Asparagus, Marigolds, Bush Beans,
Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim |
| In containers: | Tomatoes: Mortgage lifter, Super 100, Patio, Better Boy, Basil, Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Basil, Lavender, Cilantro |
| In the front | Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias, Straight neck summer squash, |
October 15th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Asparagus, Marigolds,
Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim Sweet potatoes, Radishes, Spinach, Swiss Chard |
| In containers: | Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Basil, Lavender, |
| In the front | Celosia, Tithonia, Dahlias, |
October 28th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Asparagus,
Peppers: Jalapeno, Picante Chili, Poblano, Anaheim |
| In containers: | Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Basil, Lavender |
| In the front |
November 14th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Asparagus, Radishes, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Garlic, Collards, Watercress, Jalapeno pepper,
Cover crops: Winter Rye, Hairy Vetch, Snap peas |
| In containers: | Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, |
| In the front | Dahlias, Marigolds |
November 26th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Asparagus, Radishes, Spinach,
Cover crops: Winter Rye, Hairy Vetch, Snap peas |
| In containers: | Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Lavender |
| In the front |
November 29th, 2012
| In the main garden: |
Asparagus, Radishes, Spinach, Garlic, Collards, Watercress
Cover crops: Winter Rye, Hairy Vetch, Snap peas |
| In containers: | Strawberries |
| In the Herb garden | Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Mint, Lavender |
| In the front | Marigolds |
2012 Garden Timeline
February 19th, 2012
March 4th, 2012
March 11th, 2012
March 18th, 2012
March 28th, 2012
April 1st, 2012
April 10th, 2012
April 16th, 2012
April 22nd, 2012
April 30th, 2012
May 5th, 2012
May 24th, 2012
May 30th, 2012
May 15th, 2012
July 5th, 2012
June 14th, 2012
June 20th, 2012
June 26th, 2012
July 7th, 2012
July 19th, 2012
August 3rd, 2012
August 8th, 2012
August 15th, 2012
September 22nd, 2012
October 11th, 2012
October 14th, 2012
October 23rd, 2012
October 26th, 2012
November 5th, 2012
November 11th, 2012
November 26th, 2012
The end (of the 2012 season)
Well, I think this is a good place to stop for the 2012 season. Shortly after starting the blog, I found this site that will convert a blog to a photo book. What a great idea! I don't have any kind of diary or journal, so this is a rare opportunity for me to permanently record at least one aspect of my life as a 31 year old.
The next two posts are going to just be reprints of the two permanent pages on the blog (2012 Garden Timeline & Currently in the Garden). This is so I have them in the book for future reference.
In 2011, I kept all of my garden notes in Google docs, but this blog format has been a really fun experience and a great way for me to share my gardening trials and tribulations with the people who are interested.
As the gardening started to wind down this year, I moved on to my next big woodworking project. I'm going to make a king size bed frame for our bedroom. I have been toying with the idea of recording some of that here, but am not 100% sure yet.
What I will definitely start to include in the next few months, are my plans for 2013! The growing season this far south is amazing. We still get a winter, but I'll be starting seeds for the next season in roughly 3 months. Crazy!
The next two posts are going to just be reprints of the two permanent pages on the blog (2012 Garden Timeline & Currently in the Garden). This is so I have them in the book for future reference.
In 2011, I kept all of my garden notes in Google docs, but this blog format has been a really fun experience and a great way for me to share my gardening trials and tribulations with the people who are interested.
As the gardening started to wind down this year, I moved on to my next big woodworking project. I'm going to make a king size bed frame for our bedroom. I have been toying with the idea of recording some of that here, but am not 100% sure yet.
What I will definitely start to include in the next few months, are my plans for 2013! The growing season this far south is amazing. We still get a winter, but I'll be starting seeds for the next season in roughly 3 months. Crazy!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
A real freeze. Say goodbye to the Dahlias and the last pepper plant
Hard Freeze: November 26th, 2012
So now I know -- The freeze a few weeks back was not the type that kills the plants entirely. This one was.
The Dahlias were awesome this year, this one in particular. This plant alone had over 50 flowers over a span of months. The others were closer to 1 or 2 dozen, but still impressive. Unfortunately I had one plant that was just about to bloom its very first flower. So close! We'll have to wait until next year to find out what it looks like.
The question I am struggling with now is: Do I dig out the dahlia tubers and try and store them inside, or do I leave them in the ground. The Internet says I should be able to leave them in the ground in my zone (7A), but most people say they are rarely lucky enough to have them come back.
You are supposed to store them inside at a temp of 40-50 degrees, but I don't have anywhere inside below 60. I'm hoping I will come up with a good if I just keep thinking about it.
Winterizing the garden
In the first pic, you can see the row covers my neighbor generously let me borrow for the season. I covered what is left of the spinach (some has been eaten by critters), and all of the transplanted collards and watercress in the rightmost bed. I have no idea if the covers are needed, or how much they will protect those crops, but I'll know in a month or so.
The soft neck garlic that I replanted from this years harvest sprung up pretty quickly. It was planted on October 28th, and it was definitely up before November 16th. I can't remember exactly how long it took. Neither of the two hard neck varieties have come up yet, but the leaf much has been shredded so finely that I'm sure they will be able to poke out through the mulch when they are ready.
This year I borrowed a gas powered lawn mower from yet another neighbor to help with the task of shredding the leaves. It was way easier than using the push power like I did last year. The main additional benefit is the vacuum effect it has on the tiny little pieces. As far as procedure, I ended up letting the bag fill all the way up, and then just shredding the entire pile of leaves in one pass, even though it wasnt getting picked up by the bag anymore. Then, I made second passes until the bag filled up (every other minute) and that is what I dumped into the pile. This worked really well. I'm guessing that the whole pile will decompose even faster this year, but only time will tell.
I could have let the asparagus go a little longer, but it got yellow/brown enough that I decided to finally cut it down. I spread a thin layer of leaf mulch on the ground, and then just placed the cut ferns on top of the whole area. I'm not sure if there is a better way to lay the ferns down...
Friday, November 9, 2012
Freeze?
So things are winding down. These pictures were all taken last weekend, on November 5th. I'm not sure if it actually reached freezing temps, but it was close.
I think I got the peppers in a few hours before I would have lost a bunch of them, thanks to Emily. She reminded me at around 9pm at night that I said it might freeze. Sure enough, it was COLD out there. As you can see below, some of them started to get these little circles on them, and a few others started to wrinkle. I'm not 100% sure this had to do with the cold, but that is my hunch.
The good news is that most of them were just fine. One final harvest.
So all that is left now are the cover crops and a few fall greens that I am experimenting with. I can now say much more definitively that I waited to long with the greens. Lesson learned. However, I'm letting the experiment live on. Maybe we will be pleasantly surprised :)
I think I got the peppers in a few hours before I would have lost a bunch of them, thanks to Emily. She reminded me at around 9pm at night that I said it might freeze. Sure enough, it was COLD out there. As you can see below, some of them started to get these little circles on them, and a few others started to wrinkle. I'm not 100% sure this had to do with the cold, but that is my hunch.
The good news is that most of them were just fine. One final harvest.
So all that is left now are the cover crops and a few fall greens that I am experimenting with. I can now say much more definitively that I waited to long with the greens. Lesson learned. However, I'm letting the experiment live on. Maybe we will be pleasantly surprised :)
 |
| Spinach |
 |
| Collards |
 |
| The radishes are actually looking great. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)