Well, the front gardens got an overhaul today. The fall leaves are great as a mulch, but the thousands of acorns needed to come out. Otherwise, the crop next year would have been nothing but oak trees! So, out it all came and the beds look fresh for the passersby. The summer plants have made way for cooler weather crops. The last of the tomato plants came out yesterday, as did the okra. Now the beds are planted with lettuces, salad mustards, collards, radishes, carrots, parsnips and broccoli. This fall has been so busy that I didn't get all of my crops planted. Swiss chard, spinach and mache were all on the list, as well, but just didn't make the cut. An experiment is in the works, however. A temporary cold fame made from hay bales and old windows might just do the trick. If it works, it may allow me to grow some lettuces, my spinach, and a few other crops all through the winter. I'll post on the progress of the project when (if!) I get started.
Above is a photo of the lettuce bed. From left to right: Ruby Streaks mustard, Mizuna mustard, Lolla Rosa lettuce, Rougette de Montpellier, Red Romaine, and Yugoslavian Red Butter lettuce.
Some of the radishes are already forming! These are a white radish variety.
Here, you can see a row of radishes and, in the foreground, a Georgia Southern collard. In South Carolina, the collards should make it through most, if not all, of the winter.
This little lettuce, one of my favorites, is the Lolla Rosa variety. Even if you don't garden, always get a variety of lettuces. These colorful varieties pack much more of a nutritional punch than that old standby, Iceburg. Try using an unusual variety or two for your salads or to top your sandwiches and burgers (veggie burgers, preferably!). I use spinach instead of lettuce for topping everything. Much more nutritious!
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