Still Growing

 Once again I've failed to keep up here. A week ago, on 10/12, Mother Nature lowered the boom on us. We hadn't had a frost yet, but on that night it went beyond frost. It dropped all the way down to 22 degrees. The growing season pretty much ended there. The covers that I had over the squash didn't save them. Nor did the covers save the peppers or the eggplant. It just got too cold. So now I'm left with the clean-up and prepping for next year. But wait a minute, I still have some of the garden still growing. The broccoli  and brussel sprouts are still producing. The swiss chard and celery are still producing. So aren't the carrots, fennel, and the beets. Let's not get in a big rush to dig up everything. As I rake the fallen leaves from my yard, I add them to the garden as mulch. Even though the grass doesn't need it, I mow the lawn twice a week to help grind up the leaves. I have also found a couple places to get composted manure, best of all, for free. I planted my garlic the other day and maybe tomorrow I can plant some spring flower bulbs. We have about 200 mixed bulbs to plant. We have daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and irises along with some others that I can't name. If I can get them planted and keep the squirrels away they should be pretty along the one side of the vegetable garden. Add a little color to things before the vegetables take center stage. I have to get started on the rest of my fall projects too. I need to get a small shed built using pallets. I will use this to house my lawn tractor and my garden tools. I going to use a clear plastic roof on this shed so that hopefully I can use it as a greenhouse in the spring. I'll have to see if the plastic holds on the roof. Time will tell. After that project is finished it will be time to re-model the tiller to be a tow behind the tractor model. Winter won't be that long after all. Before I know it, it will be time to get seeds started in the house and get ready to do it all again.

Baby its COLD outside

 I know it's October 9. I know 40 degrees isn't really cold. I know it's going to get worse. But I don't have to like it. There, that's off my mind. Now I can get down to business. Yesterday I worked on extending the growing season. I bought a roll of 6mil clear plastic and fashioned 2 greenhouses using the frame of an old tent that we have. Hopefully these will keep the frost off and hold some warmth in. They are quite low so I will have to lift them up in order to water and check the plants. I covered several pepper plants that are full of peppers and blossoms. I also covered the okra and eggplant for the same reason. Some of these plants are just starting to bare fruit while others just keep producing. The squash that I covered still has 11 squash growing and still has blossoms. We never get tired of fresh vegetables so the longer I keep them alive, the more fresh vegetables we can have. Since the middle of May when the peas ripened, we have had something out of the garden for supper every night, except for the few nights that we ate out. Tonight's garden addition to supper will be a garden salad. The last tomato from the garden and a head of iceberg lettuce from the garden will be the stars of the show

In the planning stage

 Everyday brings with it new adventures. Some things remain the same, while others are completely different. Things have been strained between my son and I, and I didn't know why until today. I thought he was mad at me, but instead it bothered him to see me when I wasn't doing well. So I guess I will just have to stay healthy. Sounds like a good plan to me. My garden for 2013 may not be as easy to fix. According to many articles I've read in the past week I will need to do a lot of prep work before I plant again. I will need to break down the heavy soil that I have by adding  mulch and compost to it. About 4 to 6 inches in depth should give me good soil to work with. Then keep adding another inch or so each year after. The clay soil here holds the water on the surface allowing mold and fungus to grow and infect the plants. It also takes longer for the soil temperature to rise and the temperature of the soil drops faster too. Plants have a hard time reaching their full potential when the soil is actually holding them back. By adding the mulch it will create a better growing environment. The soil will be more porous, allowing better drainage and a better root system. Because the soil will be drier, it will warm faster and hold the heat longer. This will deter the growth of fungus and allow the vegetables a better chance. By adding the compost and manure it will promote the growth of good bacteria. This good bacteria is needed to eat the bad bacteria that lives in the heavy clay soil.
 I'm planning on a bigger and better garden for 2013. And if I do a better job of planning and planting, I might be doing less work and getting a better harvest. My first task will be to make more space available for the garden. Overcrowding was a problem this year. The plants need room for air movement and sunlight, all the way down to the roots, especially tomatoes. No tomato leaves will touch the ground in 2013. I will be paying attention to air circulation to ensure a dry soil surface. I think I will plant everything in raised rows or hills to help control the moisture and air. Time will tell.