When we prioritize our garden to-do list, I always try to remember the quote from Robert Louis Stevenson, “Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. “
Planting is always the number one priority because without planting, we will never be harvesting. The weeding and the insects need to be put aside in our minds, at least for a few hours, so that we can plant first.
Today, once our harvest was on its way, we planted some carrots to fill in the spaces that did not germinate, from the previous seeding. Fall planting is more difficult than in the spring because the weather is so dry and hot. Without enough moisture, the seeds will not sprout.
I have been neglecting some of my planting responsibilities because there has been a number of other activities pulling at my attention. But as we get closer to the end of the year, the planting takes center stage. Without planting we won’t have a harvest next year. And we need the plants to get enough light and grow before the days get too short.
This Week’s Harvest
Beets, Radishes, and Cucumbers
I warned the members in the newsletter, but at this time of year, we are in-between warm and cool weather crops. The quantities are limited because of the effects of the climate on the plants. We sent out just one cucumber, one Chioggia beet, and two radishes per member today. Fortunately, this will make for a pretty salad.
Lettuce Heads
As a base for our salad, we did have heads of lettuce to use. We will have a break for a few weeks until the next planting is ready. Lettuce doesn’t take a lot of space, but it is a situation of one head growing in one spot. Once we harvest the head, the space is empty until another vegetable is planted in its place.
Carrots
The carrots that I said I wouldn’t send we sent. I know I am a carrot snob, but people eat carrots, and I was more afraid of an eggplant revolt if I sent any more of those this week.
Sage and Thyme
To season our fall cooking I sent out these herbs this week. They can be dried for later or used right away.
Sweet and Hot Peppers
The peppers still look great, so we sent out another assortment. I am convinced that the Central Valley of California is the best place to grow peppers. I have been more successful in growing peppers than any other crop. Just like our sunshine, they don’t stop growing until the winter comes.
Sugar Pie Pumpkins
We harvested most of our winter squash today, acorn, pumpkins, butternut, and spaghetti squash. We sent out sugar pie pumpkins to be uncarved decorations for Halloween but also to cook. The pumpkins are best eaten about 4-6 weeks post-harvest. The rest of the squash was put in storage, to send out over the next two months.
Arugula
The arugula is surviving the bug attack and looking great after cutting last week, we are cutting it again.
Spinach
We had our first harvest of spinach this fall. We cut the baby leaves so that they will grow back for another harvest. I planted it just about 6 weeks ago. The spinach is not as susceptible to the cabbage moth caterpillars and the bragada bugs that have invaded our cruciferous vegetables, so this has been growing well and is a good complement to the fall basket.
As the weather continues to change so does the produce, we will have sweet potatoes next week, green onions in about two, and hopefully broccoli before Thanksgiving.
Have a Great Week,
Julie Moreno