3:03 PM Tue, Nov 25, 2008 | Permalink
Cindy Brummer
|
Despite the yo-yo-ing temperatures, all of my veggies are thriving!
Before the first big dip in temperatures a few weeks ago, we FORTIFIED. This is what we did:
- Harvested all the remaining summer vegetables
- The green tomatoes and peppers were removed from the vines, no matter how small or unripe. Frost can damage these tender annuals and perennials, so instead of losing my crop, I got creative. I made broken lasagna with fried green tomatoes the other night with most of the two pound crop we harvested
- Broke out the frost blankets
- A frost blanket can help extend the season for gardens by keeping them a few degrees warmer -- above freezing is best. We made sure to mulch well, then used PVC pipes to create tents over a few of the garden beds still growing fall veggies.
- Built a temporary "greenhouse"
- Last year we did a poor job of protecting the lime tree. But it survived, so I came up with a different plan. We turned two tomato cages into one big cage and wrapped it in heavy duty plastic, held in place with small clamps from the home improvement store. It seems to be doing the trick -- the lime tree was not only free of damage after the several nights of close to freezing temperatures -- it actually had new growth
- Watered well
- I used to fear that watering would actually cause plants to freeze -- but just the opposite. The water helps to prevent plants from freezing, so it's a good idea to soak your landscape if you know a cold front is on the way.
- Planted more
- Yep, I planted more. There are now two new beds of Swiss chard and one new area of spinach. Both like the cool temperatures, and there are now beds full of little seedlings. My family is going to have chard all winter long, hopefully.
So there you have it. It's cold outside, and the garden is thriving. I love Texas.
3:33 PM Wed, Nov 12, 2008 | Permalink
Cindy Brummer
|
Was anyone else thrilled to see their landscapes drenched this morning?
Everything was damp and misty when I left the house this morning. For a moment I stood looking around at everything. Listening hard, I could hear all the roots sucking up all the water. They've been so deprived this year.
A cold snap is headed for Austin this weekend. Did you see the 7-day forecast? Check out that low of 36 that's expected. I'm taking inventory of what I need to take care of before it gets cold.
I'm sure I don't need to do anything too drastic. We're not talking about a freeze in the metro-Austin area or anything. But still, I'd like to keep the vegetables comfortable.
I'm going to pull out the PVC pipes from last winter and make tents over some of the beds with frost blankets.
I don't think I need to make a plastic "greenhouse" around my lime tree... yet. But that time is coming. This year I plan to use a step ladder and heavy-duty plastic to protect the tree from frost.
My neighbors looooovvvve me.
4:38 PM Tue, Nov 11, 2008 | Permalink
Cindy Brummer
|
It has been a month since my last blog entry, but I have an excuse... I've been too busy gardening.
Each weekend, my family has spent several hours working in the garden, harvesting, tending, watering.
This is definitely a wonderful time to spent in the dirt. And so paradoxical. Some of my vegetables are either in full swing or just beginning to grow, while some others are nearing the end of their lives. The persimmon tree that stands near the front garden beds has turned a brilliant orange -- a sign that the tree is ready to go dormant for the winter, while my crape myrtles are in bloom.
I just love how each plant has its own season in Texas... it's not like in Tennessee, where it seemed like everything died or went dormant as soon as Halloween passed.
This past weekend was a maintenance weekend in the garden. We limbed up the two olive trees in the front so they look more like... well, trees. then I made room for two new patches of Swiss chard and spinach. There wasn't much room, so I had to make room in an area that previously hasn't been used for vegetables. there are already two patches of chard, but we ate so much last winter, we didn't have enough. Of course, this year we also added Chinese cabbage to our garden, so I guess we'll have lots of greens to eat.
I'm also watching the garlic, shallots and leeks, which are slowly making their way out of the soil.
We're truly turning the yard into an edible estate.
