Over the past three years, I've shifted my gardening focus more and more toward planning and planting a fall garden and getting a head start on a spring garden. This is primarily because there is an abundance of fresh produce from July-August available at the Farmer's Market, and to a lesser extent, in our local grocery store. However, the Farmer's Market does not open until May, and closes at the end of October, which means that unless I have been diligently planning and planting a fall garden and preserving food, I will not have access to local, fresh produce for many, many months. If you live in a similar climate, consider planting your own fall garden. For a step-by-step guide to … [Read more...]
Preparing your Garden for Winter
Although October is typically gloriously sunny and warm, it signals the end of the gardening season here in NE Missouri. I've already pulled my cucumbers, cantaloupe, and zucchini out of the ground, and will soon strip my tomato vines and pepper plants. I'll let winter squash remain in the ground through the first frost, and will continue to harvest beets, carrots, Chinese cabbage and kale through the winter. Preparing my garden for winter months is a task that I actually look forward to each year. It's an opportunity for me to reflect upon the abundance of the harvest season, and yet also a chance to rest and renew my enthusiasm for next year's garden … [Read more...]