Description of the weather
The last frost happened in February. Starting March the weather was a bit warmer than usual. By the second half of March I had coleus, Hibiscus, amaranth, sunflowers, eggplants, Jerusalem artichokes, tomatoes and peppers in the garden. Some weeks in April it got chilly so I put half gallon bottles to cover eggplants, peppers and tomatoes and they looked normal. In May we had good rain and balmy weather. June was hot and dry; we actually had a 3 week drought with no rain. July was hot and wet – temperatures stayed above 90, usually mid 90 and no cooler than 72 at night; it was a great month to float in the river with perfect water flow, temperature, and scenery; August was wet, humid, and in general cooler than usual (fluctuating from 88 high to 62 low- the last week 88/72), with many overcast days which is not good for drying the figs in the solar dehydrator. Fall weather came in slowly during September, October, November and early December which made the leaves have wonderful long lasting colors. We had some unusually cold nights the last week of October, not quite to freezing. We normally light the wood stove after Thanksgiving, this year by 10/31 we had a fire twice. October and November were quite dry, with very few rainy days.
We installed drip irrigation lines to water watermelons-pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Production improved.
The last frost happened in February. Starting March the weather was a bit warmer than usual. By the second half of March I had coleus, Hibiscus, amaranth, sunflowers, eggplants, Jerusalem artichokes, tomatoes and peppers in the garden. Some weeks in April it got chilly so I put half gallon bottles to cover eggplants, peppers and tomatoes and they looked normal. In May we had good rain and balmy weather. June was hot and dry; we actually had a 3 week drought with no rain. July was hot and wet – temperatures stayed above 90, usually mid 90 and no cooler than 72 at night; it was a great month to float in the river with perfect water flow, temperature, and scenery; August was wet, humid, and in general cooler than usual (fluctuating from 88 high to 62 low- the last week 88/72), with many overcast days which is not good for drying the figs in the solar dehydrator. Fall weather came in slowly during September, October, November and early December which made the leaves have wonderful long lasting colors. We had some unusually cold nights the last week of October, not quite to freezing. We normally light the wood stove after Thanksgiving, this year by 10/31 we had a fire twice. October and November were quite dry, with very few rainy days.
We installed drip irrigation lines to water watermelons-pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Production improved.
Month
|
Total Monthly rain
|
# days it rained
|
average
|
May
|
4.50”
|
8
|
|
June
|
3.75”
|
3
|
|
July
|
8.40”
|
10
|
5.50”
|
August
|
6.1”
|
10
|
3.30”
|
September
|
5.75”
|
6
|
3.60”
|
October
|
1.90”
|
2
|
3.50”
|
November
|
2.25”
|
4
|
4.90”
|
December
|
7.30”
|
11
|
5.09”
|
Beans
I had so many dried beans from last year that I chose to grow only fresh beans, such as edamame, green beans, etc. I must say I had good intuition because it rained so much in July and August that dry beans would have been moldy!
I had so many dried beans from last year that I chose to grow only fresh beans, such as edamame, green beans, etc. I must say I had good intuition because it rained so much in July and August that dry beans would have been moldy!
It was the first year ever we grew green beans and we loved
them. We ate lots of them almost daily during the last part of May, all of June
and again after August 20, all of September, until October 9. After this date
there are fewer beans in the plants but we still had enough to eat every 2-3
days until mid November.
General observation on green beans: when the weather got
really hot the plants stopped producing. And for the second planting they grew
and grew leaves but it wasn’t until the weather cooled down a bit that they
started producing flowers again; I began to harvest green beans on August 20.
Pat said they were planted in very rich soil; actually that area is not as
fertile, but I am guessing that having had the bush beans in that same area in early
summer enriched the soil with lots of nitrogen. No wonder they say beans give
nitrogen to the soil.
Adding green beans to the garden is a treat, we never ran
out of greens to steam during transitions, from kale and turnips to okra or
edamames; and more productive than Swiss chard which is tasty and edible but
not thriving during summer.
Green beans, bush
(Bio Saatgut, German 2010) Direct sow May 1, I thought they were climbing beans
but instead turned out to be bush. 8 plants was plenty, they were very
productive, delicious to eat and easy to grow. Had plenty all of June until mid
July. Canned 8 quart jars and had lots of fresh beans daily for lunch.
Chinese Red Long
Noodle (Linda Emerson) direct sow on May 1 - fantastic, delicious and easy
to grow, no need to string, etc. Definitely a favorite; This year I only
started one plant and had beans until mid July, next year I plan to grow 10 on
a straight trellis; plant at 3 week intervals from May 1 through July 15.
Kentucky Wonder
(Pat Lyles) Direct sow mid July - 6 plants, weather too hot to produce beans
but they sure grew long vines; started to harvest August 20 and since then I
harvest quite a few beans daily for lunch. Finish by early November.
Edamame (Asmura, SESE
2010 plus some from Susan) direct sow 20 plants in mid May; they were ready to
harvest by the end of August. To harvest green soy beans: when the majority of
pods are filled out cut stems above ground (leave roots in place for ground
nourishment). Pull off bean pods in a cool shady place. Boil beans in water to
cover from 5-10 minutes. Cool on strainer or in cold water bath. Fun part:
pinch and bag them. Then freeze.
Ford Hook Limas Bush (Sharon and Steve) Direct sow
early June; waiting to harvest. I am not sure what to do with them, when they
are green they don’t look full and when they dry they are funny, and some get
mold. As of 10/9 they are still in the ground. Finally picked some in November
enough for 3 meals; like I said above maybe not a good year for certain beans.
White Bush beans
(Linda Emerson) Direct sow early
June; end of October waiting to harvest. By end of November I know it was not
productive.
Celeriac
(Large smooth Prague, SESE 2011) sow in March and I didn’t pull them out on time, waited too long and the roots were tough. Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly larvae loved the leaves!
(Large smooth Prague, SESE 2011) sow in March and I didn’t pull them out on time, waited too long and the roots were tough. Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly larvae loved the leaves!
Celery
(Golden Self Blanching from SESE 2011) surprise surprise, it is in the parsley family and it is also biennial, it actually makes the celery stalks on the second year; then it goes to seed. The stalks didn’t get as thick as the ones in the store but they were juicy and delicious. I think they didn’t get thick because I had too many stalks too close, so I need to remember to plant with more space between each seed. Next time I will harvest earlier like in April or May, because by June they were a bit stringy, OK for smoothies and soups but no so for salads or such. The butterfly caterpillars also ate their leaves. I also sowed the seeds under the mulch. They have lovely and pretty yellow flowers.
(Golden Self Blanching from SESE 2011) surprise surprise, it is in the parsley family and it is also biennial, it actually makes the celery stalks on the second year; then it goes to seed. The stalks didn’t get as thick as the ones in the store but they were juicy and delicious. I think they didn’t get thick because I had too many stalks too close, so I need to remember to plant with more space between each seed. Next time I will harvest earlier like in April or May, because by June they were a bit stringy, OK for smoothies and soups but no so for salads or such. The butterfly caterpillars also ate their leaves. I also sowed the seeds under the mulch. They have lovely and pretty yellow flowers.
Cucumbers
(Arkansas little leaf H19 from SESE 2011) this variety is perfect for lacto fermenting - definitely my favorite. Direct sow on May 1 - four plants came up and all died back, why? It was a mystery until I discovered the grasshoppers eating all the little leaves. I started another 6 plants throughout the month of May until June 1 and all grew very well. I also started one only of the Armenian cucumber (cucumis melo from Lilly Miller 2010) interesting mild taste, not bitter, and very pretty when you cut it in rounds, it looks like a flower, thin pale green color skin, corduroy like ribs. I did not try to lacto ferment this variety. By end of July I pulled out two little leaf plants, by mid August the leaves of the remaining plants are starting to turn yellow and they are not as productive; by August 20 all plants are gone. Do plants that are trellised produce as much as the ones that just creep on the ground? Or is this my imagination, because I got sooooo many cucumbers, I gave out at least 10 Wall Mart bags full to the Mexican stores, plus lacto fermented all I need, plus salads, and gazpachos, plus some to Pat and to Sharon and Steve and of course to the chickens. It must be a visual trick, when they are trellised I see them quickly, in the ground they get lost and when I really go looking there are tons. For 2013 I shall remember to sow direct 2 at a time at 3 week intervals starting May 1 until mid July so maybe we can have fresh cucumbers until September. Definitely trellis over cattle panel, much easier to harvest.
(Arkansas little leaf H19 from SESE 2011) this variety is perfect for lacto fermenting - definitely my favorite. Direct sow on May 1 - four plants came up and all died back, why? It was a mystery until I discovered the grasshoppers eating all the little leaves. I started another 6 plants throughout the month of May until June 1 and all grew very well. I also started one only of the Armenian cucumber (cucumis melo from Lilly Miller 2010) interesting mild taste, not bitter, and very pretty when you cut it in rounds, it looks like a flower, thin pale green color skin, corduroy like ribs. I did not try to lacto ferment this variety. By end of July I pulled out two little leaf plants, by mid August the leaves of the remaining plants are starting to turn yellow and they are not as productive; by August 20 all plants are gone. Do plants that are trellised produce as much as the ones that just creep on the ground? Or is this my imagination, because I got sooooo many cucumbers, I gave out at least 10 Wall Mart bags full to the Mexican stores, plus lacto fermented all I need, plus salads, and gazpachos, plus some to Pat and to Sharon and Steve and of course to the chickens. It must be a visual trick, when they are trellised I see them quickly, in the ground they get lost and when I really go looking there are tons. For 2013 I shall remember to sow direct 2 at a time at 3 week intervals starting May 1 until mid July so maybe we can have fresh cucumbers until September. Definitely trellis over cattle panel, much easier to harvest.
Eggplant
(Ping Tung long SESE 2011 and Long Purple from Irish Eyes Garden Seeds 2010); Started seeds in Wallace, put in garden by April 1 – four of each variety total 8 plants; kept them under row cover until first bloom. After 70 days – mid July- we began to harvest some eggplants and continue to do so by the bundles. They are delicious, very productive plants. No pests, no bugs, and thriving through early November. Sometime in June I got curious and purchased a Hansel eggplant from Bonnie at Tonka. That poor little thing is so small; it takes it forever to make eggplants that are supposed to be the bigger type like the ones they sell at the supermarket. While I get 4+ every other day from one Ping Tung plant I may end up getting 3 Hansel eggplants in total by the end of the season. Is this crazy or what? Lesson learned: plant only the Ping Lung and Long Purple varieties. I harvested these delicious eggplants until late November. Have plenty Babaganoush to last through the winter.
(Ping Tung long SESE 2011 and Long Purple from Irish Eyes Garden Seeds 2010); Started seeds in Wallace, put in garden by April 1 – four of each variety total 8 plants; kept them under row cover until first bloom. After 70 days – mid July- we began to harvest some eggplants and continue to do so by the bundles. They are delicious, very productive plants. No pests, no bugs, and thriving through early November. Sometime in June I got curious and purchased a Hansel eggplant from Bonnie at Tonka. That poor little thing is so small; it takes it forever to make eggplants that are supposed to be the bigger type like the ones they sell at the supermarket. While I get 4+ every other day from one Ping Tung plant I may end up getting 3 Hansel eggplants in total by the end of the season. Is this crazy or what? Lesson learned: plant only the Ping Lung and Long Purple varieties. I harvested these delicious eggplants until late November. Have plenty Babaganoush to last through the winter.
Jerusalem Artichokes or shun-chokes
Debra gave me 40 small tubers, put them in the ground by mid May. They turned out to be beautiful, 8-10’ tall, sunflower like plants. A few started blooming in July. Japanese beetles liked them, but not a lot. I would find one or two on the top leaves occasionally. They are planted next to the roses (beetles favorite food). Sometime in late October I’ll dig out the tubers… WOW early November we dug out 2 wheel barrels full, they are delicious, and so easy to care for, no extra watering, beautiful flowers, and then delicious to eat steamed. I see how they got their name, they taste like artichokes, for real!
Debra gave me 40 small tubers, put them in the ground by mid May. They turned out to be beautiful, 8-10’ tall, sunflower like plants. A few started blooming in July. Japanese beetles liked them, but not a lot. I would find one or two on the top leaves occasionally. They are planted next to the roses (beetles favorite food). Sometime in late October I’ll dig out the tubers… WOW early November we dug out 2 wheel barrels full, they are delicious, and so easy to care for, no extra watering, beautiful flowers, and then delicious to eat steamed. I see how they got their name, they taste like artichokes, for real!
Okra
Only had 5 plants (Clemson Spineless from SESE 2011), started 4 direct from seed on May 1 and one more around June 1. By mid August one plant from the first batch died back (Linda says something could be chewing the roots – I checked them and they looked OK), by end of September the other three have slowed down production. The one planted in June started producing more okra after Aug 20, the foliage is very pretty. We ate okra daily late June, July and most of August and September, early October we are still getting a few every other day. Maybe next year I will plant 6 in total at 3 week intervals, 4 and 2. Went to see Linda’s garden she has a red okra variety, I couldn’t believe it! I would like that next year too.
Only had 5 plants (Clemson Spineless from SESE 2011), started 4 direct from seed on May 1 and one more around June 1. By mid August one plant from the first batch died back (Linda says something could be chewing the roots – I checked them and they looked OK), by end of September the other three have slowed down production. The one planted in June started producing more okra after Aug 20, the foliage is very pretty. We ate okra daily late June, July and most of August and September, early October we are still getting a few every other day. Maybe next year I will plant 6 in total at 3 week intervals, 4 and 2. Went to see Linda’s garden she has a red okra variety, I couldn’t believe it! I would like that next year too.
Peppers
started from seed in Wallace (total 10 plants)
started from seed in Wallace (total 10 plants)
Golden Marconi
(Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co 2010) a great Italian pepper, yellow, tapering
fruit, sweet, great for frying, lacto fermenting or fresh, they are very
beautiful – the contrast between yellow and green is eye catching; harvest from
July through early November; 5 Stars.
Aji Dulce (SESE
2010) slow germinating, slow growing. Eat fresh or in stir fries. The plant is
loaded with bright orange to red peppers, from distance they look like flowers
with dark green leaves, it looks gorgeous. Harvest from July through early
November; 5 Stars.
Alma Paprika or
Sheep-nose pimiento (Gift from Linda E) round shape, size of a tennis ball, mild taste, turns color from
pale yellow to bright orange-red; beautiful plant. Harvest from July through
early November; 5 Stars
Cayennetta, long
2-3” tapered pepper, mildly spicy, 3-4” pepper, red. Harvest from July through
early November; 5 Stars
Chile ancho
(seeds came from the dried peppers I buy at the Mexican stores), excellent for
drying. Good in pepper jelly too. Mild to hot. Harvest from July through early
November; 5 Stars.
Red Bull (Baker
Creek Heirloom Seed Co 2010) a delicious mild red bell pepper, very productive,
loved it; it looks very pretty in stir fries, on rice, or salads. Harvest from
July through early November; 5 Stars.
Orange – somebody
in Wallace gave me 2 beautiful and delicious orange pepper plants, no name!
Harvest from July through early November; 5 Stars.
Potatoes
I didn’t start any this year, and yet we still got around 30+ Yukon gold and chieftain red that grew from last year’s tiny potatoes left in the ground…such mild winter in 2011.
I didn’t start any this year, and yet we still got around 30+ Yukon gold and chieftain red that grew from last year’s tiny potatoes left in the ground…such mild winter in 2011.
Sweet Potatoes
(Beauguard and Evans) we clipped some starts at Wallace set them in the West area and it took them a long time to get going (probably the new soil), it is already 10/9 and we have not harvest those. Pat gave me slips she started in a bath tub, beautiful slips. They were transplanted to the ground south side of garden in early June. They are blooming at the end of August. Harvest them on the last days of September, huge potatoes, total 3 cardboard boxes (gave one to Ana). We have enough for the winter. By mid- October we also harvested 1 box in the West area, we had 6 hills, definitely not as productive as the ones planted in the older richer garden soil!
(Beauguard and Evans) we clipped some starts at Wallace set them in the West area and it took them a long time to get going (probably the new soil), it is already 10/9 and we have not harvest those. Pat gave me slips she started in a bath tub, beautiful slips. They were transplanted to the ground south side of garden in early June. They are blooming at the end of August. Harvest them on the last days of September, huge potatoes, total 3 cardboard boxes (gave one to Ana). We have enough for the winter. By mid- October we also harvested 1 box in the West area, we had 6 hills, definitely not as productive as the ones planted in the older richer garden soil!
Swiss chard
Ruby Red (rhubarb chard) and Rainbow (five color silver beet) from SESE, planted several in spring and they are doing very well this summer, the ones under the shade cloth look better. Some get chewed by grasshoppers… good thing I have 10+. We haven’t been eating them in August, too many other veggies in the garden. Swiss chard looks colorful in the beds. By end of August I pulled most of them out leaving only 4 plants; they are doing well by end of October. I will plant them in the mint bed next summer, they will get more shade.
Ruby Red (rhubarb chard) and Rainbow (five color silver beet) from SESE, planted several in spring and they are doing very well this summer, the ones under the shade cloth look better. Some get chewed by grasshoppers… good thing I have 10+. We haven’t been eating them in August, too many other veggies in the garden. Swiss chard looks colorful in the beds. By end of August I pulled most of them out leaving only 4 plants; they are doing well by end of October. I will plant them in the mint bed next summer, they will get more shade.
Tatsoi
(Fedco 2009) – started at Wallace in spring, did really well, although they are a mustard they taste a bit like spinach; went to see by end of June, did not make it through summer.
(Fedco 2009) – started at Wallace in spring, did really well, although they are a mustard they taste a bit like spinach; went to see by end of June, did not make it through summer.
Tomatoes
Unusual year for tomatoes, neighbors seemed to have trouble with a pest, herbicidal drift or spotted wilt virus; I was really careful to pull out any funny looking plant, and there went my only Cordie Blue and a couple of Cherokee Purples or Black Krim. The rest did well but none thrived like last year. Started seedling at Wallace and now I am wondering if they got some virus over there… I missed the Celebrity and Better Boy; will ask Martha for Serbia next year and get some seeds for determinate varieties. We planted many varieties in Wallace had 20 + trays and somehow I ended up with 12 plants and only 4 varieties actually 3 because I pulled out the only Cordie Blue. I did transplant suckers and had black cherries until late October. Curtis from Wallace grew some delicious small yellow Roma, will look for seed next year. I need to review tomato varieties and choose better ones for Alabama climate!
Black Cherries –
(indeterminate) delicious gives flavor to salads, soups etc and when dry they
taste like candy!Unusual year for tomatoes, neighbors seemed to have trouble with a pest, herbicidal drift or spotted wilt virus; I was really careful to pull out any funny looking plant, and there went my only Cordie Blue and a couple of Cherokee Purples or Black Krim. The rest did well but none thrived like last year. Started seedling at Wallace and now I am wondering if they got some virus over there… I missed the Celebrity and Better Boy; will ask Martha for Serbia next year and get some seeds for determinate varieties. We planted many varieties in Wallace had 20 + trays and somehow I ended up with 12 plants and only 4 varieties actually 3 because I pulled out the only Cordie Blue. I did transplant suckers and had black cherries until late October. Curtis from Wallace grew some delicious small yellow Roma, will look for seed next year. I need to review tomato varieties and choose better ones for Alabama climate!
Black Krim (indeterminate) smaller than Cherokee purple, held well.
Cherokee Purple (indeterminate) tasty but uneven looking. Yield is good.
Zucchini or Yellow squash
(Gold Rush Hybrid Ferry Morse 2012) Just like with cucumbers I had no luck with the first batch, I probably put seeds in for 6 plants on May 1 direct sow; by the time they started flowering they all got the squash borers (probably the first time ever I’ve had this problem – in the past at the end of the season one or two of my plants got them), then I tried again and again with no luck. Maybe because the winter was so mild the moth was active earlier than usual laying her eggs. Finally I planted some seeds mid July that Ana gave me (she had the most beautiful, bountiful squash, purchased seeds in a packet at Snead she doesn’t remember the brand, it said straight neck ) and I have been harvesting beautiful and delicious yellow squash starting August 1. I have also noticed that in this last batch the bug that lays the eggs on the leaves is not very active, I may find a few clumps here and there once a week; I remove them and nada for another week or so. Last 3 days of August I pulled put the last 3 plants, they had no blooms and squashes were small and some had tiny worms eating them. Plants looked healthy but I guess the days are not long enough!
(Gold Rush Hybrid Ferry Morse 2012) Just like with cucumbers I had no luck with the first batch, I probably put seeds in for 6 plants on May 1 direct sow; by the time they started flowering they all got the squash borers (probably the first time ever I’ve had this problem – in the past at the end of the season one or two of my plants got them), then I tried again and again with no luck. Maybe because the winter was so mild the moth was active earlier than usual laying her eggs. Finally I planted some seeds mid July that Ana gave me (she had the most beautiful, bountiful squash, purchased seeds in a packet at Snead she doesn’t remember the brand, it said straight neck ) and I have been harvesting beautiful and delicious yellow squash starting August 1. I have also noticed that in this last batch the bug that lays the eggs on the leaves is not very active, I may find a few clumps here and there once a week; I remove them and nada for another week or so. Last 3 days of August I pulled put the last 3 plants, they had no blooms and squashes were small and some had tiny worms eating them. Plants looked healthy but I guess the days are not long enough!
Things to remember to do if I plant early: look at pictures
of the moth which is diurnal so I recognize them as soon as I see them and
don’t confuse them with a beneficial wasp; keep plants under row cover until
first bloom; mix charcoal around the base of the seedling; when vines are small wrap with cloth or tin foil, or insert them
through a toilet paper roll; also pile some moist soil over the leaf joints near the in
ground stem. They will root. So even if the stem is damaged, the plant won't
die. Once they start blooming remove row cover and once every five days
rub the base of the stem to kill the microscopic eggs laid by the moth; destroy
the moths in twilight or early morning when they are resting on the upper side
of the leaf bases. And place yellow trap pans with water to catch moths –
see this site http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/M1209.html
As far as the bug that lays eggs: look at pictures of the
bug and notice the stripes on the sides. At least every other day look for eggs on the top
and bottom of leaves; then squish them.
Experimented by surrounding the squash plants with the dead
marigolds or better yet plant the yellow marigolds near them, their smell or
color seems to confuse the moth and the bug (ha ha so I wish). Pat was my hero
she actually removed the borers and had several zucchini plants survive and
thrive through the summer! I am sooo happy to have yellow squash in August,
lots of them to make delicious stir fries and sun oven casseroles with
eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, etc.
·
Lindsey and Lawrence gave us a squash that
doesn’t get borers. I will ask for the variety and try to get these seeds next
year. It was an edible gourd a Luffa or Chinese vining Okra.
Watermelon
Sugar baby from SESE 2010 and Allsweet from Ferry Morse 2010. On May 1 direct sow 12 plants plus a couple volunteers (I used to call them spontaneous but Keitha mentioned they are called volunteers – is this because this is a “work culture”?) We have been quite successful with this crop. This is the fourth year we have grown them and every year we harvest approximately 40-45 watermelons. Most of our neighbors get at least 2 watermelons each. For next year 2-3 sugar baby plants (one hill) and 5 hills of All Sweet. Alden said he preferred not to have volunteers; they grow like a gourd, and have too many seeds. But guess what? the gourd like watermelon is delicious and very sweet, so much for looks! I must say that with the good rain and drip irrigation the watermelons were extremely productive we harvested somewhere between 70-90 watermelons. Early October Alden harvested all the watermelons left in the garden, we then proceeded to leave them in the basement floor for 1-2 weeks and then into the fridge for eating. By 11/2 we still had 3 watermelons left.
Sugar baby from SESE 2010 and Allsweet from Ferry Morse 2010. On May 1 direct sow 12 plants plus a couple volunteers (I used to call them spontaneous but Keitha mentioned they are called volunteers – is this because this is a “work culture”?) We have been quite successful with this crop. This is the fourth year we have grown them and every year we harvest approximately 40-45 watermelons. Most of our neighbors get at least 2 watermelons each. For next year 2-3 sugar baby plants (one hill) and 5 hills of All Sweet. Alden said he preferred not to have volunteers; they grow like a gourd, and have too many seeds. But guess what? the gourd like watermelon is delicious and very sweet, so much for looks! I must say that with the good rain and drip irrigation the watermelons were extremely productive we harvested somewhere between 70-90 watermelons. Early October Alden harvested all the watermelons left in the garden, we then proceeded to leave them in the basement floor for 1-2 weeks and then into the fridge for eating. By 11/2 we still had 3 watermelons left.
Herbs
Basil – same as Pat, I am copying her notes. 3
varieties planted; Love the Sacred Basil just for the fragrance, heavenly wonderful.
Love the Lime Basil for the light citrus taste and the Genovese is just the
must have with tomatoes.
Cilantro – it has its cycle, I sowed seeds
in 2010 and ever since it reseed and sprout in many places; it is wonderful to
have cilantro most of the year except during the hot months.
Fennel –
Charlotte from Wallace gave me a 3-pack with tiny plants in May; they grew
beautifully; the taste is divine. I was hoping they would reseed but due to the
HK process I’ll have to get new plants next year.
Lemon Balm and
Mint – they have a permanent place to the right of the steps as you
enter the house; they thrive in spring and fall, so I fill in with colorful coleus
plants and Cuban oregano for color in summer and fall.
Parsley –
for the last two years it’s been re-seeding itself, quite nice. There are two varieties the Forest Green parsley from FEDCO, and Moss Curled
from SESE both with very curly lovely leaves. The one shaded by the okra has
been used daily for smoothies, and also to make babaganoush and salsas, very
productive during the summer, and the butterfly worms didn’t find it. Another
one shaded by parsnips and shade cloth also survived the caterpillars. They ate
the leaves of all the other 6 parsley, yet the plants went to seed and
hopefully will sprout in the fall. I removed the seeds by hand and sowed them
under the mulch. Late September the parsley under the okra got taken by
butterfly larvae, oh well, more butterflies in the garden! I found one by the
turnip greens and it has been delicious through September and October. Early
January 2013 I have 3 new beautiful bushy self seeding plants… hurray!
Rosemary -
to the left of the steps as you enter the house I have shaped the one Ryan gave
us in 2003, it looks like a tree and it thrives year round, delicious when
cooking beans and fresh in smoothies! I started 3 new plants this year east of
the parking area.
Bugs
We had too many grasshoppers, so many I had to buy Semaspore Bait
from Planet Natural to stop them from reproducing. I will order this product
early next year to have it ready when they begin to hatch in spring. I love grasshoppers
they were Pinocchio’s friends and sing at night, if they stay in the grass
areas it’s not a problem but when they migrate to the garden I have to choose between
vegetables and grasshoppers.
Weed free garden
This year we focused on clearing more areas from Bermuda grass. The garden is weed free (except for a few tiny ones that have purple blooms) and this year we focused on getting rid of Bermuda grass around the kiwis, down towards the grapes, in the walkway between roses and garden and between garden and hugel culture.
By the male kiwi I sowed field soy beans and Hemp flowers.
They have grown so much; it’s amazing because the soil there was so poor and
thick with clay. So I have tons of edamame or green soy beans that I am not
planning on freezing I will use them for lunch until they mature. The Hemp
flowers are tall flowy and lasted through mid December. I collected seed pods in
January.
They are thriving in this wet humid summer!
Hugel Kulture
we did a small hugel culture in the south side where and planted some hibiscus plants, wow they are thriving and grew twice the size of the others. Another small HK is next to lettuce bed, I had flowers and amaranth during the summer.
we did a small hugel culture in the south side where and planted some hibiscus plants, wow they are thriving and grew twice the size of the others. Another small HK is next to lettuce bed, I had flowers and amaranth during the summer.
 | ||
Small Hugel Kulture
|
 |
| Main Hugel Kulture |
The main hugel culture is still in progress. Most of the
area was filled by Alden with occasional help from Federico during the months
of March and April. With the cooler weather by mid September we started working
again in this area, leveled with logs, then leaves and branches; after which
Alden drove the tractor to crush branches down and compact the area a bit. We
also made the holes for the citrus trees. By the end of November it looks almost ready
for the soil.
Drip Irrigation
sometime early June we purchased hoses, connections etc from Drip Depot. The week after installing 3 lines it started raining quite regularly… ha ha! Line 1 goes to the strawberries. Line 2 goes to the watermelons, tomatoes, basil, 1 grape, pink blueberry and 2 pomegranates. Line 3 goes to the 5 thorn blackberries and 12 thorn-less blackberries down hill, Line 4 to the raspberries and out to the south garden to make it easier for Alden to water with buckets the fruit trees in that area. Even though it didn't get much use after the June drought it was very much worth having it since we know that berries in general shrink in size and sweetness if they lack water. We did use the system for blackberries and raspberries during October (once for watermelons before final harvest) and November.
sometime early June we purchased hoses, connections etc from Drip Depot. The week after installing 3 lines it started raining quite regularly… ha ha! Line 1 goes to the strawberries. Line 2 goes to the watermelons, tomatoes, basil, 1 grape, pink blueberry and 2 pomegranates. Line 3 goes to the 5 thorn blackberries and 12 thorn-less blackberries down hill, Line 4 to the raspberries and out to the south garden to make it easier for Alden to water with buckets the fruit trees in that area. Even though it didn't get much use after the June drought it was very much worth having it since we know that berries in general shrink in size and sweetness if they lack water. We did use the system for blackberries and raspberries during October (once for watermelons before final harvest) and November.
Never again
Cherokee Ceremonial Tobacco – grew so tiny, I was expecting
5 foot tall leaves. Ha ha it doesn’t grow like it does in Mexico.
Broccoli – premium crop hybrid from SESE or De Cicco from SESE – they don't make a head
Canning
Tomatoes
|
40 quarts
|
July 8,
|
3 times
|
Hot water bath
|
Green Beans
|
6 quarts
|
July 5
|
1 batch
|
Pressure caner w/Pat
|
Hot pepper Jam
|
40 jelly jars
|
July and August
|
3 times
|
Sure jell
|
“
|
20 pint jars
|
Sold 36 during Solar Tour; + 24 sold by Leila and Jess at
Pepper Place.
|
||
“
|
12 tall jars 12oz
|
October
|
||
Freezing
Babaganoush
|
12 pints
|
3 batches
|
|
Edamame
|
13 cups
|
13 bushes
|
7 bushes to Pat, Lisa and Nancy
|
Corn
|
2 sandwich bags
|
Gift from Pat
|
|
I don’t like freezing tomatoes, okra, salsas or jams. I
still have pesto from last year.
|
|||
Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries and Strawberries - 40
gallon bags
|
|||
Dried Grapes - 4 gallon bags
|
|||
Dried figs - 10 gallon bags
|
|||
Lacto Fermenting
beets
|
2 quarts
|
June
|
garlic
|
3 quarts
|
June
|
cucumbers
|
10 quarts
|
June, July &
early August (8)
|
carrots
|
2 quarts
|
October organic from Publix
|
Observations
It is so convenient to not have to go to the grocery stores to get fruits and veggies. During the summer we have only bought every other week or so from the Mexican Store 2-3 avocados, 16 limes, plus a box of marzipans; from WM 1 large ginger; and from Publix 5 pounds of organic carrots. Occasionally we’ll buy tortillas and twice peaches from Hazelrigs. For the morning smoothies we replace bananas with figs, and replaced Lawrence’s Pom juice with fresh watermelons. The first time we purchased $60 dollars at the grocery was for the Watercolor Workshop on 10/26. For the occasion we also purchased two boxes of apples at the Farmers Market in Birmingham – very tasty Pink Lady and Fudgi.
To be clear for the pantry we do buy rice, quinoa, amaranth and other grains bulk; plus dried fruits and seeds, olive oil and coconut oil , some spices and occasionally mayonnaise and ketchup . Also during the summer Lawrence got us some gluten free cake mixes at the store in Albertville.
It is so convenient to not have to go to the grocery stores to get fruits and veggies. During the summer we have only bought every other week or so from the Mexican Store 2-3 avocados, 16 limes, plus a box of marzipans; from WM 1 large ginger; and from Publix 5 pounds of organic carrots. Occasionally we’ll buy tortillas and twice peaches from Hazelrigs. For the morning smoothies we replace bananas with figs, and replaced Lawrence’s Pom juice with fresh watermelons. The first time we purchased $60 dollars at the grocery was for the Watercolor Workshop on 10/26. For the occasion we also purchased two boxes of apples at the Farmers Market in Birmingham – very tasty Pink Lady and Fudgi.
To be clear for the pantry we do buy rice, quinoa, amaranth and other grains bulk; plus dried fruits and seeds, olive oil and coconut oil , some spices and occasionally mayonnaise and ketchup . Also during the summer Lawrence got us some gluten free cake mixes at the store in Albertville.
End of October
–harvesting raspberries (1 cup a day), lots of peppers, egg plants and green
beans (1 large bowl per week each); plenty of lettuce, totsoi, kale, and turnip
greens; Japanese persimmons, a few pomegranates, a few strawberries and figs
here and there.
November – Alden turned over the whole garden… oh my! He is determined to make the whole garden a Hugel Kulture. I only had two small plots one under the kiwi for kale and the lettuce bed for 4 broccoli, 4 cabbages, and 12 lettuces. Plus one long bed next to the strawberries for carrots and 3 broccoli, and to transplant one fennel plant, one parsley, a few cilantro one Swiss chard and the lemony lettuce Charlotte gave me last year. The day after Thanksgiving I went to Mexico to visit family. We surely enjoyed fresh lettuce salad with lacto-fermented carrots or beets in November and December.
December – when I
returned from Mexico Alden had worked and the HK had about 10 feet ready, I
seeded some turnip greens and garlic; we covered the 3 citrus and 1 olive trees
with frost blanket and placed a bucket of water inside each frame. We also
covered the lettuce bed and the long bed next to the strawberries... off we
went driving the faithful Geo prism to visit family in the West; we were gone for 22 days.
These notes do not include the flowers or fruit trees or fruit bushes and
strawberries.
