Monthly Archives: September 2018

Veggies 9.1

planting, seeds, vegetables

Growing vegetables this year was, well, challenging. The routine has been to plant seeds for cool crops in April, plant seeds and seedlings for warm crops after the last frost or by Memorial Day, and then try to squeeze in a small crop of greens in the late summer to fall.

This year I actually managed a staggered planting of spring cool crops. Then we promptly left the country. Poor planning? Argh. Well, then I was busy getting the rest of the Lot in shape, so our only warm crops this year are 3 tomatillo plant volunteers, some basil, a handful of garlic and beets (carrying over from spring), and what looks to be a volunteer cherry tomato plant.

However, tonight I have successfully planted seeds for a late season collection of cool crops! Here’s what went into the ground:

  • Arugula Rocket (35 days to harvest)
  • Baby Leaf Hybrid Spinach (30-40 days to harvest)
  • Baby Bok Choy Pak Choi (35-55 days to harvest)

First Frost Date

What I have to watch out for will be the first frost date, the first evening the temps at ground level dip to 32 degrees F, for our area. There are first frost maps that can give you an average of when that fateful evening is going to arrive. For our area, this first frost map predicts it will be between October 1 and October 10.

For a more accurate first frost date, I’m going to be checking the local station on the EnviroWeather website.

Crop Tolerance

I discovered on the MSUE Extension site that different crops are more tolerant of frost than others. I guess I knew this in part because I realize our summer veggies would not do well, if even survive, our spring season here. However, I didn’t connect this with cool crops actually having a bit of frost tolerance instead of just being okay in cooler weather.

Vegetables developing from flowers (like tomatoes, beans, okra, cucumber) are  more sensitive to frost. On the other hand, vegetables that are roots or leaves are more hardy. Plants like spinach can stand a frost of less than 28 degrees F. Brr.

It is possible I will utilize the new row covers I constructed this past spring just to be on the safe side. This will ensure the above plants are safe from frost damage until they are ready to harvest.

Resources
Frost and Freezing in Fall Vegetables

More Skipper ID Clues

loki bed, pollinators, the Lot

I’d written not too long ago about a little winged insect in the backyard garden which I thought was a checkered skipper. At the time, I didn’t get a good photo of the wings when they were open. Well, guess who visited today after the rainfall? It was fluttering around the catnip.

Top of Checkered Skipper Wingspan

The color of the fuzzy body and base of the wings was a dusty blue. Is it weird to want to cuddle an insect? I did a quick search of the latin name (Pyrgus communis) to make sure this was indeed the same species. Everything checks out!

Enjoying a Loss of Control

backyard bed, rambling thoughts, the Lot

Both Memorial Day and Labor Day are usually busy weekends on the Lot. I utilize the 3-day weekend to either get the garden ready for the season or begin to wind things down for the arriving autumn. Today I had a long list of items to begin:

  • divide and move the Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)
  • move the  ‘Burgundy Bunny’ dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) since it isn’t receiving enough water
  • move the Himalayan Cinquefoil (Potentilla atrosanguinea), ‘Dazzleberry’ sedum, and ‘Dark Reiter’ geranium (Geranium pratense) since they are no longer receiving enough sun
  • plant the ‘Advance Blue’ bellflower (Campanula cochleariifolia), leadplant (Amorpha canescens) and 2 unknown red sedum that have been sitting in pots for way too long as a gardener decides where they should be placed
  • divide (maybe with a jackhammer?) the Maiden Grass
  • research how-to and hopefully divide the Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
  • mulch newly build beds

However, Nature will do as she wishes. She doesn’t really care if a gardener has a to-do list for the weekend. As I was digging, the rumbling in the already overcast sky began. Within the next several minutes the rain started. I ducked into the garage to see if the storm would blow past. It didn’t.

As I stood in the doorway looking out at the backyard, I was able to notice the sights, smells, and sounds of the garden during the soaking rainfall. It was beautiful and so relaxing. I caught a bit of it to share.