As fall continues, some plants may be brought indoors to overwinter.
Greetings fellow gardeners,
It is taking longer for the sun to make an appearance in the morning. I am trying to get the winter preparations finished before it starts to snow. I put the first layer of tarp around my chicken compound and discovered that stinging nettle is growing along the back wall. I discovered it after getting a sudden almost electric-shock sting and watching my finger swell. It is not a long-lasting pain, but it is annoying. Apparently stinging nettle has potential health benefits, but as I was scrambling for some cream for my itchy hand I did not care.
My pole beans continue to bloom and produce but they have yet to set seeds. I am watching them diligently as they only need a bit more sun to get there. It seems that gardening can be just like gambling on some days.
There are still carrots growing and I am going to leave them until after a hard frost. I would like them a little plumper and the cool weather makes them sweeter. I would like to harvest the rest of the turnips, but I am waiting for a sunny day. I enjoyed my first picking of turnips with my Thanksgiving dinner.
The cooler temperatures have taken my more sensitive herbs. The basil has drooped and the raspberry royale sage, hummingbird sage and pineapple sage are showing just how zone 7 they really are. The rosemary is still viable, although it does not winter outside for me. I take cuttings of rosemary, remove the bottom leaves, and put it directly in a pot on my plant stand. This way I can have fresh rosemary throughout the winter.
The first shelf of my plant stand has been fortified to prevent my too-many-cats from grazing on the plants. I don’t bring in many plants, as I like to leave room for next year’s seedlings.
Plant stand
The rosemary seedlings are in a small clay pot. In case you were wondering, to the left is calendula and behind that is Mona lavender and then aloe and a sweet coral begonia. There is a lantana in there too, but it is not that happy.
The mornings are darker, and the sun leaves earlier each day. My chickens are grumpy, and I will be adding a light to their compound to give them some daytime ‘sunshine’. The ground is getting colder, so I am keeping an eye on those things I need to harvest. Soon I will be leafing through seed catalogues and planning next year. Be sure to enjoy the spectacular bright colours of autumn and have a great week.
Judith. (Email: lapisdragonarts@gmail.com)
All Veggie Bites are available at the SGHS website: https://sites.google.com/site/sghortsoc/
Gardening Books
In this day and age we have access to so much information on the Internet. One thing we need to remember as we google for names and advice is that the first entries that appear are the most popular and not necessarily the correct answer. You need to research your sources. I, like many other gardeners I know, have favourite books that always steer us in the right direction. A good garden book is also a perfect gift for that gardener in your life. Over the next few weeks, I would like to introduce you to some of my favourite gardening books.
“The Pruner’s Bible” by Steve Bradley, Rodale c.2005
I have found this book to be extremely useful and I bring it with me when I am working the advice tables. It is clear and concise and shows information with step-by-step photographs. There are examples of the tools needed and how to manage and look after the tools, as well as advice on how to select new trees for your garden. This book will be well used over the years. I would not be without mine.
“The Harrowsmith Illustrated Book of Herbs” by Patrick Lima, Camden House, c.1986
I got this book as I started to develop an interest in herbs. I used the well-illustrated methods and techniques in my very first garden. Having my own big garden was both exciting and daunting and this book was very helpful. There are also herb recipes in this book, and I have made most of them. I have found that any Harrowsmith book is a welcome addition to your garden library.
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