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| From In the Garden |
I don't have much of a veggie garden update this month. In fact, I'm actually out of town for a few days on a garden trip so I had not planned to post at all. I decided to post to let my local readers know about a great class going on this weekend and to give a short veggie garden update. The good news from the vegetable garden is that I still have a veggie left over from last summer's vegetable garden! Just look at that great Waltham butternut squash above. We have not yet eaten it but will soon. It has kept wonderfully on my sideboard all these months. Winter squash is on the list for this summer's garden too!
We eat a lot of greens here so lettuce is a big vegetable for us this year. I've started three different types inside with even more planned for outside. Given how small my vegetable garden is I really have to double plant and plan well. I think growing lettuce under the vining crops will help to keep it cool and hopefully we'll have lettuce all summer. It sure will be good with fresh tomatoes and peppers. Here is a long shot of my coldframe on the southwestern side of the vegetable garden. Chinese cabbage, turnip greens, some lettuce seedlings, and some spinach are still hanging tough. This picture was obviously taken prior to all the snow coming. Right now most of the garden is white but you can see the turnip greens in this picture and get an idea what my coldframe looks like. I need to do some work on it as far as the windows. I purposely left the middle window like it is. I'm sure it doesn't help with holding heat in but what I have growing under it is Culver's root seeds (Thanks Cameron!). These seeds need winter stratification so I figured the moisture, snow and all, would not hurt them. The rest of the greens have hung on but for the most part I leave the windows off. I've decided to grow the following this year: carrots, lettuces, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini (over hubby's protests), winter squash, bushel gourds, kale, peas, cabbage, and garlic come this fall. Now that is narrowed down I can relax. Planning is half the battle! Let's just hope I can fit it all in!**********Public Service Announcement**********
Now on to this weekend's class. It is called Tennessee Yards Done Right! It is a program sponsored by the extension office and is mainly focused on controlling rainwater runoff and the resulting erosion. This is a hot topic around here due to many yards being hilly and sloping. So many locals have issues with erosion that this workshop should come in handy for you. Class will be from 8:30-4:30 pm on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the United Methodist Church on Madison Street. The cost is $35 and you get a lot of goodies in addition to the classes (including a rain gauge). This is a no obligation class and I can assure you it will give you lots of information for making your yard 'right'. I like this class so much I'll be in a working session in Murfreesboro today studying the exact same thing. If you are interested in this class call (931)648-5725. You can also sign up at the door Saturday morning but it would be best to let Karla know you'll be coming.
Again, I'll be out of town for a few days and will be around to visit you all when I get back....
in the garden.....
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,
In the Garden
I didn't know winter squash would last that long, Tina! I usually grow zucchini or summer squash, but I've already ordered a new type of winter squash seeds to try this year--I don't remember the name.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great class! Now that I'm taking the MG classes here, I'm becoming more aware of all the great classes and resources our local Extension has to offer. I hope you'll share with us some of what you learn.
Good looking squash!! I too have started some veggies...spinach, lettuce, onions, kale, mustard and brussels sprouts are up!! I'm going to do some container veggies this year on the upper back deck...
ReplyDeleteRose, Isn't it great it lasted so long? I'm growing more as they are so good and the storage is a bonus. I think you'll love yours too. I find winter squash grows so well up north. It was always a staple in our Maine garden.
ReplyDeleteDarla, You are way ahead of me! I bet those seeds are such a joy this time of year. I'm getting antsy for mine.
On my way out, see you all later.
Good morning. I wish I would have taken some photos of the master gardeners veggie garden last summer. It was only like 12x12 but had a lot of plants packed into it ( including one raspberry, of all things).
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Marnie, I'd love to see that veggie garden! It's so hard to get it all in. Fresh raspberries-yum!
ReplyDeleteOne more month and I'll be planning.
ReplyDeleteTina,
ReplyDeleteI would so enjoy this class you mentioned, and wish there was one similar close by. It would be wonderful if you could do a post with some of the things you learned. It would be most appreciated by those of us living on a slope! :)
Winter squash - yum!
ReplyDeleteGreat PSA for your locals.
Cameron
It sound like you made great choices for what you'll be growing, at least to me :) I still haven't decided what we'll grow beside tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteThe class sounds really good. I need to start finding out about classes around here.
Have fun on your trip!
I just ate a squash that I bought in the fall. It was still delicious!
ReplyDeleteMy squash was used up shortly after Christmas :( so lucky you!!!
ReplyDeleteI actually am surprised it lasted that long without being where it is cooler than on the counter. I have already ordered a lot of my seeds for this summer and have actually gotten some already. Next week or the week after I will start my Marigolds and every few days thereafter I will have something to plant. The real fun comes when they can go outside.
I cannot believe your squash has lastest this long! Wow, what a bonus from your summer garden of last year. If only all the crops harvested would last as long....
ReplyDeleteHave fun on your little TDY and take lots of notes so we too can enjoy the things learned :-) I soooo should be in this class as my yard is one soggy mess right now....
I am thinking if growing squash is viable here in Malaysia.... ~ Bangchik
ReplyDeleteIs that a butternut? Love those...
ReplyDeleteLove those winter squash. Butternut being my favorite.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are getting to go to different classes. Do fill us in on some of the things you learn.
I'm jealous of your cold frame, even with panes missing. Perhaps one day I'll have one (once we get settled). Meanwhile, that's amazing about the winter squash lasting so long! I think I might have to try those...
ReplyDeleteTina, How good of you to post on the road. I love the image of the squash on that luxurious blue background. I’m looking forward to summer vegetables. Enjoy your trip!
ReplyDeleteSkeeter, gorgeous snow photos below! It looks like Maine or like how Maine should look in February.
I'm impressed that you have any veggie update at all Tina! There would be none here, that's for sure. I tried to grow a few things last summer but failed miserably. I'm hoping to try again this year ~ maybe a class would help?
ReplyDeletebtw, I have Culver's Root in my garden ~ it's gorgeous (long blooming too) and the bees love it. You will be happy to have it to your garden. Hope the seeds germinate well for you. If not, please let me know, I'd be happy to send you a start.
Are you in Murfreesboro for the Master Gardener conference thing? I thought about going to it but decided to wait for another year. It looked like fun though. A neighbor and Garden Club member from down here is attending I think.
ReplyDeleteHi all, Popping in here for a moment because I found out in my workshop today that Saturday's workshop is CANCELLED! Local folks please do not show up on Saturday looking for Karla. They did not have enough sign ups so it is postponed for now.
ReplyDeleteDave, Yes! I am here for the winter school. I taught it at a few years ago-you may remember? Well this time I am a participant and enjoying some TDY with a friend and having fun meeting gardeners. I am meeting lots of folks from around Tennessee. I did meet a lady from Colombia and asked if she knew of the plant swap there. She did not but I passed it along. The conference is well worth the trip. TONS of people. It starts tomorrow but I'm here for the other workshop a day early. You'll have fun if you come. Thanks for asking.
How I wish I had the space for some winter squash plants in the garden. The neighbors across the street do, however, and they sometimes share their crop with us. Maybe they don't know the squash can hold for months?
ReplyDeleteYour squash looks delicious and I'm sure you will enjoy eating it soon. I look forward to you sharing some of what you learn from your class...oops, I just noticed it was cancelled. Hopefully, they will have it again.
ReplyDeleteI'm growing turnips for the first time this season. I get chopped, frozen turnips and turnip greens at my local chain grocery store... and those are really good, so I only imagine fresh would be GRRRRREAT! (Tony the Tiger is from Michigan, you know.)
ReplyDeleteSarah, thanks. I know this winter has been a strange one all around with snow where it should not be and no snow where it should be! Strange....
ReplyDelete