Today, I picked a nice big handful of kale from the garden. I know the temperature and the conditions (10 and blizzard), but we needed fresh kale for our non-pasta Wedding Soup. It was frozen and I'm sure some of the snow made it into the soup pot, but I am certainly into season extenders.
We will most likely have another 2 or 3 meals and then, after the first of the year, it will be done.
Be safe and be warm.
Bill
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
This is getting very close to the end of the garden....
Today we picked what I think will be our next to last kale. Yes, the weather has been in the very low teens for the better part of 12 days but the produce was great. All of the kale went into kale chips and was safely in the dehydrator within 30 minutes of picking. I have to say, the outcome (finished kale chips) is certainly something to wait for.
We'll watch the weather but I expect the last picking will be in the next week or so. If the weather stays above 10, we should be OK.
Hanging on for that late, late unprotected harvest.
Bill
We'll watch the weather but I expect the last picking will be in the next week or so. If the weather stays above 10, we should be OK.
Hanging on for that late, late unprotected harvest.
Bill
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving and the garden
Well we had our first really, really cold night on Thanksgiving night. It got down to 12. Took a walk into the garden and examined the kale - still hardy and waiting for a respectable harvest. Oh, it keeps getting better.
My wonderful wife put a batch of kale chips into the dehydrator. Mixed with nutritional yeast, cider vinegar, and other goodies. They came out with a great taste, just the right level of crispy texture. Oh yes, Frito Lay will never get this close.
Stay warm. Off to the farm tomorrow for milk, cheese, and meat.
Bill
My wonderful wife put a batch of kale chips into the dehydrator. Mixed with nutritional yeast, cider vinegar, and other goodies. They came out with a great taste, just the right level of crispy texture. Oh yes, Frito Lay will never get this close.
Stay warm. Off to the farm tomorrow for milk, cheese, and meat.
Bill
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Almost Thanksgiving
For most people this time of year in Northeastern WI would mean the garden is done and time to start planning the work for next year. I am still harvesting out of the garden. Tonight, we had kale and swiss chard, both of which have not been covered at all. This was stir fried on the gas grill with onions and garlic (all from the garden) along with a nice piece of wild salmon. I fully expect to be harvesting kale and swiss chard up until close to Christmas.
I did have the chance to get the last of the beds spaded. Yes, hand spading is still the choice for me. It tends to really do a good job of breaking up the soil and letting the weather do its thing. I still have to clean up the asparagus beds and mulch them, but I will wait until it gets a little colder. Looks like we will have some overflow work into December.
We will take the opportunity over the next few weeks to clean up all of the extra garlic and put it up for lacto-fermenting. This will give us garlic for the rest of the year, with NO sprouting.
Wishing everyone a safe and prosperous Thanksgiving holiday.
We'll talk soon.
Bill
I did have the chance to get the last of the beds spaded. Yes, hand spading is still the choice for me. It tends to really do a good job of breaking up the soil and letting the weather do its thing. I still have to clean up the asparagus beds and mulch them, but I will wait until it gets a little colder. Looks like we will have some overflow work into December.
We will take the opportunity over the next few weeks to clean up all of the extra garlic and put it up for lacto-fermenting. This will give us garlic for the rest of the year, with NO sprouting.
Wishing everyone a safe and prosperous Thanksgiving holiday.
We'll talk soon.
Bill
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Time to plant garlic
On Saturday (10/16) we planted 75 hard neck garlic (3 varieties). The bed had already been double dug, a healthy dose of 2 year old compost applied, and the requisite organic fertilizer applied. It was a quick mix with the Mantis tiller (yes, I really like my little tiller) to get a seed bed that was perfect for planting. Raked the top level and layed out the marker lines. Five 8' rows with 15 cloves to a row. My actual planting was 3 rows, 4 rows, and 8 rows of three different varieties. Punched them in by hand, gave them a quick shot fish emulsion and then finished back filling and tamping.
I also took the opportunity to plant 5 allium bulbs that needed to be moved. I got these into the big rose bed in back, knowing that they will be a good addition to the bed. Good moisture and good soil tilth, even after this weird growing season we've had.
We also picked the last of the randomly growing acorn squash. We got 6 nice squash from a random plant that grew next to an old wood pile. Don't know why, but it was.
Turned under 2 more beds, the tomato and bean beds. I am afraid that winter just around the corner.
Still have kale, brussel sprouts, broccoli, lettuce and peas growing. I suspect that barring a really hard frost, we will be well into November.
Be safe, I will try and get some pictures posted.
Bill
I also took the opportunity to plant 5 allium bulbs that needed to be moved. I got these into the big rose bed in back, knowing that they will be a good addition to the bed. Good moisture and good soil tilth, even after this weird growing season we've had.
We also picked the last of the randomly growing acorn squash. We got 6 nice squash from a random plant that grew next to an old wood pile. Don't know why, but it was.
Turned under 2 more beds, the tomato and bean beds. I am afraid that winter just around the corner.
Still have kale, brussel sprouts, broccoli, lettuce and peas growing. I suspect that barring a really hard frost, we will be well into November.
Be safe, I will try and get some pictures posted.
Bill
Thursday, August 5, 2010
It has been too long....a short update
The berry crop did very well until we got the monsoonal flows of rain. Put up enough red and purple raspberries to get us through the winter. We certainly enjoy them.
The asparagus was good but the early heat prevented us from maximizing the overall crop. Did not freeze any this year as it was appropriate to share with friends.
The kale crop has done exceptionally well with repeat business from harvested plants helping. The brussel sprouts and broccoli were certainly affected by the early heat but seem have recovered well.
Beans were good and the second crop is planted. Peas were iffy but will try for a late crop.
Cucumbers have been very, very good and resulted in sharing as well as putting up 5 quarts of lacto-fermented dill pickles.
Tomato and pepper yields look to once again be down this year due the very wet June/July that we experienced. We might be surprised with the late harvest as lately they seem to be coming on like gang busters.
The onions and garlic are doing great. Harvested the garlic (everything planted last fall produced heads). The onions are still growing and will be harvested in August.
Last but not least the potato crop looks very good. We grew them in wire enclosures this year and had absolutely no issue with potato leaf hoppers. I need to let you know how the yields turned out. Stay tuned.
Off to pull more weeds. That crop has really been a bumper yielder this year.
Later and be safe.
The asparagus was good but the early heat prevented us from maximizing the overall crop. Did not freeze any this year as it was appropriate to share with friends.
The kale crop has done exceptionally well with repeat business from harvested plants helping. The brussel sprouts and broccoli were certainly affected by the early heat but seem have recovered well.
Beans were good and the second crop is planted. Peas were iffy but will try for a late crop.
Cucumbers have been very, very good and resulted in sharing as well as putting up 5 quarts of lacto-fermented dill pickles.
Tomato and pepper yields look to once again be down this year due the very wet June/July that we experienced. We might be surprised with the late harvest as lately they seem to be coming on like gang busters.
The onions and garlic are doing great. Harvested the garlic (everything planted last fall produced heads). The onions are still growing and will be harvested in August.
Last but not least the potato crop looks very good. We grew them in wire enclosures this year and had absolutely no issue with potato leaf hoppers. I need to let you know how the yields turned out. Stay tuned.
Off to pull more weeds. That crop has really been a bumper yielder this year.
Later and be safe.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
We've made it through our first hot days
The garden continues to keep right on growing. The patches of hot weather over the last two weeks have not deterred the progress nor the production.
We continue to harvest good amounts of asparagus. Production from the 4 beds is about 6 pounds per week. It looks like we have at least another 3 weeks of production left. We are also harvesting romaine lettuce on a regular basis along with kale, leaf lettuce, and spinach. All seem to be continuing to hold up well in the heat.
The peas, beans, carrots, chard, broccoli, brussel sprouts, onions, cucumbers, and potatoes are all shooting up with the hot days and cooler nights. I am now to the top of the wire bins with leaves and straw for the potato plants. They just seem to keep growing.
I snapped all the garlic scapes today. This is probably the earliest we have seen them. It will be an early harvest.
We continue to harvest good amounts of asparagus. Production from the 4 beds is about 6 pounds per week. It looks like we have at least another 3 weeks of production left. We are also harvesting romaine lettuce on a regular basis along with kale, leaf lettuce, and spinach. All seem to be continuing to hold up well in the heat.
The peas, beans, carrots, chard, broccoli, brussel sprouts, onions, cucumbers, and potatoes are all shooting up with the hot days and cooler nights. I am now to the top of the wire bins with leaves and straw for the potato plants. They just seem to keep growing.
I snapped all the garlic scapes today. This is probably the earliest we have seen them. It will be an early harvest.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Snow and frost on May 8-9
The garden is doing well. We have broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, lettuce, onions, beets, peas, and spinach planted. On Saturday we awakened to snow on the garden. It was only 35 but the snow was still out there. On Sunday morning we awakened to frost on most things. It wasn't entirely that cold but it was still cold enough to make frost.
I don't think we experienced any damage but only time will tell.
We did get good rain on Friday and are expected to get another 1.5 inches on Monday. Should put a dent on garden work.
The UWGB NAS plant sale is next Saturday. Numbers are being handed out early. Be there or miss the good stuff.
Be safe and be organic.
Bill
I don't think we experienced any damage but only time will tell.
We did get good rain on Friday and are expected to get another 1.5 inches on Monday. Should put a dent on garden work.
The UWGB NAS plant sale is next Saturday. Numbers are being handed out early. Be there or miss the good stuff.
Be safe and be organic.
Bill
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Tilling and Planting continues....a full month early
Today is Sunday, April 18, 2010. It was cool today, but definitely not the cold of a winter waiting to return. The wind died down today, a calm amidst the last 4 days of a cold wind out of the NW. It hasn't rained since we go and inch or about 8 days ago. I also don't believe that it will snow again, but remember that we are in Wisconsin.
We continue to move forward with the garden. Thanks to my friend from work, Brent Winebar who was good enough to share some All Blue and Carola potatoes from the ones he was planting in his own garden. I was able to get 3 full hills planted when I supplemented them with some Rose Finn Apple potatoes that I purchase this week. I utilized the plant in the fill technique and then encircled the hill with wire mesh and covered with 6" of leaf mulch. All the potatoes had good swollen eyes and were showing the first signs of roots. Potatoes were planted in #14, which is one of the new beds starting this year.
Earlier this week I planted #13 with onion plants that I started on 3/5. Both red and yellow onions planted in multi-plant blocks, similar to the suggestions of Elliot Coleman. We've had 2 frosts since then and they are doing just fine.
#11 was also planted today with transplants of spinach, swiss chard, and beets. I also planted seed of leaf lettuce, spinach, more beets, and carrots. The entire bed is covered in a plastic hoop house as I suspect we are going to have at least one more good hard frost. Maybe not this week, but definitely the potential exists.
The last bed we planted was #15. Super Sugar Snap peas went in. I will put up the metal fence panels that I use for the trellis this week to make sure I don't kill too many plants by waiting.
I still owe people pictures. It is on my list.
Happy Gardening, 2010 is here!
Bill
We continue to move forward with the garden. Thanks to my friend from work, Brent Winebar who was good enough to share some All Blue and Carola potatoes from the ones he was planting in his own garden. I was able to get 3 full hills planted when I supplemented them with some Rose Finn Apple potatoes that I purchase this week. I utilized the plant in the fill technique and then encircled the hill with wire mesh and covered with 6" of leaf mulch. All the potatoes had good swollen eyes and were showing the first signs of roots. Potatoes were planted in #14, which is one of the new beds starting this year.
Earlier this week I planted #13 with onion plants that I started on 3/5. Both red and yellow onions planted in multi-plant blocks, similar to the suggestions of Elliot Coleman. We've had 2 frosts since then and they are doing just fine.
#11 was also planted today with transplants of spinach, swiss chard, and beets. I also planted seed of leaf lettuce, spinach, more beets, and carrots. The entire bed is covered in a plastic hoop house as I suspect we are going to have at least one more good hard frost. Maybe not this week, but definitely the potential exists.
The last bed we planted was #15. Super Sugar Snap peas went in. I will put up the metal fence panels that I use for the trellis this week to make sure I don't kill too many plants by waiting.
I still owe people pictures. It is on my list.
Happy Gardening, 2010 is here!
Bill
Sunday, March 28, 2010
More seeds started, beds tilled and bushes trimmed
It turned out to be a very busy weekend. While the weather was relatively cool and windy on both Saturday and Sunday, I did get the chance to trim out a lot of the woody growth from foundation plantings, trim the currants back (yes, I cut them back very hard), tip the red and purple raspberry plants, and trim off some ground hugging limbs on some blue spruce.
On Saturday morning I planted 3 varieties of broccoli, 2 varieties of brussel sprouts, 2 beets, 2 spinach, romaine lettuce, and kale. In all, I got 108 multi-plant blocks started. With onions, we are now creeping up to 200 multi-plant blocks started. I won't be starting tomato or pepper plants as the selection from the students up at UWGB is always good and offers a more robust selection then I care to.
On Saturday afternoon I also turned over my 2 early beds (potato and greens). The leaf mulch from the fall has broken down substantially and the earthworm population had taken off. A week of warm weather as its forecast should lead to optimal conditions to plant some spuds next weekend and get the A-frame set up on bed #11.
On Sunday I tackled the new area, freshly broken for beds 13-16. I turned the sod over in the fall and it has mellowed nicely over the winter. The Mantis tiller had its work cut out for it but was definitely up to the task. I didn't try to tackle all of the tilling in one move but rather attempted to get the tops knocked off and ready for the next tilling. If time permits, I will be assembling #13-16 beds next weekend and then tilling inside the beds. First thing that will be planted will be onions. In and out quick and allowing for some potential double digging. We'll see how it goes.
As we ran out of time and energy this weekend, I promise to get some picture up and posted next week. However, I wanted to give you a little taste of our recent trip to Kona, HI.
Be safe.
Bill
On Saturday morning I planted 3 varieties of broccoli, 2 varieties of brussel sprouts, 2 beets, 2 spinach, romaine lettuce, and kale. In all, I got 108 multi-plant blocks started. With onions, we are now creeping up to 200 multi-plant blocks started. I won't be starting tomato or pepper plants as the selection from the students up at UWGB is always good and offers a more robust selection then I care to.
On Saturday afternoon I also turned over my 2 early beds (potato and greens). The leaf mulch from the fall has broken down substantially and the earthworm population had taken off. A week of warm weather as its forecast should lead to optimal conditions to plant some spuds next weekend and get the A-frame set up on bed #11.
On Sunday I tackled the new area, freshly broken for beds 13-16. I turned the sod over in the fall and it has mellowed nicely over the winter. The Mantis tiller had its work cut out for it but was definitely up to the task. I didn't try to tackle all of the tilling in one move but rather attempted to get the tops knocked off and ready for the next tilling. If time permits, I will be assembling #13-16 beds next weekend and then tilling inside the beds. First thing that will be planted will be onions. In and out quick and allowing for some potential double digging. We'll see how it goes.
As we ran out of time and energy this weekend, I promise to get some picture up and posted next week. However, I wanted to give you a little taste of our recent trip to Kona, HI.
 |
| At 9,600 ft of elevation not much grows. |
 |
| Monday 3/8 standing at 13,700' elevation on top of Muana Kei. The hill in the distance is 70 miles away. And yes, the clouds are below us. |
Be safe.
Bill
Monday, March 8, 2010
Greetings from Kona
Today we are sitting outside on the lanai soaking up the very nice 73 temperature. It is a far sight better than the frost we scraped off the cars on Saturday morning on the way to the airport. Great travel, great house, great weather, and great friends to spend a week in HI.
Just a note on early plantings. I did get the 72 cells of onions planted on Friday 3.5 and expect them to be germinated by the time we get back to WI. I will post more info after returning.
Everything is very quiet and tranquil here. We did get to spend a little time at the farmers market in Kona yesterday. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Pretty wierd to see ripe mangoes and domestic butter banana hands. We also saw avocados that were as big around as softballs, brocolli that was sweet and sooooo very fresh. Fresh tomatoes were the course of action for some really great salsa. Hard to believe that all of this produce came from such a rocky, ill prepared place like this.
Don't know if I want to come back in a week. I will at least post pictures.
Be safe and remember that spring is coming.
Bill
Just a note on early plantings. I did get the 72 cells of onions planted on Friday 3.5 and expect them to be germinated by the time we get back to WI. I will post more info after returning.
Everything is very quiet and tranquil here. We did get to spend a little time at the farmers market in Kona yesterday. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Pretty wierd to see ripe mangoes and domestic butter banana hands. We also saw avocados that were as big around as softballs, brocolli that was sweet and sooooo very fresh. Fresh tomatoes were the course of action for some really great salsa. Hard to believe that all of this produce came from such a rocky, ill prepared place like this.
Don't know if I want to come back in a week. I will at least post pictures.
Be safe and remember that spring is coming.
Bill
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Welcome back from a somewhat long winter (which isn't over)
Just wanted to drop everyone a note that we are still alive here in De Pere, WI. The snow has been reduced from last year and for the most part, the winter a little milder.
Thoughts are turning to gardening. I had the fortune of attending the Garden Expo in Madison a couple of weeks ago. Lots and lots of people, lots and lots of stuff. Picked up some giant asiatic lilies for the NW bed in the yard, but more importantly, picked up my seeds.
Stopped at Jungs in Sun Prarie and in 45 minutes had all of my seed. Great supply and great variety. Now I am ready.
My plan is to plant our onion seeds in blocks of 6 this year to follow the Elliot Coleman approach. We will be in HI during the week of 7-13 March and plan on seeing a lot of great agriculture. We are staying on the big island so there is less commercialization.
After we get back, I will get some additional plantings started with brussel sprouts, broccoli, and kale.
Be good, be safe. We'll talk soon.
Bill
Thoughts are turning to gardening. I had the fortune of attending the Garden Expo in Madison a couple of weeks ago. Lots and lots of people, lots and lots of stuff. Picked up some giant asiatic lilies for the NW bed in the yard, but more importantly, picked up my seeds.
Stopped at Jungs in Sun Prarie and in 45 minutes had all of my seed. Great supply and great variety. Now I am ready.
My plan is to plant our onion seeds in blocks of 6 this year to follow the Elliot Coleman approach. We will be in HI during the week of 7-13 March and plan on seeing a lot of great agriculture. We are staying on the big island so there is less commercialization.
After we get back, I will get some additional plantings started with brussel sprouts, broccoli, and kale.
Be good, be safe. We'll talk soon.
Bill
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