Yes it is almost winter..but

There are still things to do.

I planted new lily bulbs-Holland Beauty and Bonbini. I put a bit of deer fencing under and around them, lots of compost- that flower bed has finally improved to actual soil instead of clay. Only took 6 years!If you are afraid of a freeze, dig your holes now while awaiting your bulbs. and don;t forget to dig a couple of extra inches and put in sand if your soil does not drain.

We do not know if the heavy snow cover ( leaving the soil wet) or voles did in so many lilies. Moles eat grubs, voles will burrow into or under anything, and eat plants. voles look like tailless mice.Just an FYI.Mole diggings mean voles have an entry point.So does heavy mulch ( thus the warning not to mulch until after a freeze for  many plants. Some things, like shallots, don;t appreciate being kept so wet, either.Waiting for that first solid freeze solves many problems.)So why mulch? to protect the soil, keep it from heaving, and keep your earthworms and other good guys busy munching that compost, leaves etc you hopefully put on your beds. Mulch one year and you will see the results in spring- I promise.

the other method is mulch in place-usually oats and winter peas at this time of year.


There are still turnips growing, under a light row cover. We hope for a harvest in a few weeks; if not, they hold the soil until spring.

the parsnips need to wait for a heavier freeze before we dig them up. It;s been a warm fall..So warm, I'll get another cutting of the nettles for the compost pile. ( remember your gloves) they are super composting material, very mineral and nitrogen rich.We leave the comfrey-also still growing-until spring. I could use the dried leaves for the potatoes, if i go for an early planting. They really cover the soil beautifully. it's not a waste to leave them in place.

Many of the herbs are in the little greenhouse, along with the young fig tree and a strawberry pot ( still green and putting out new flowers! could we hope?)Tropicals are under the growlight, which will keep them going I think, at least until they get moved aside for seedlings!

so much to do-and after Christmas, the new year-for the Garden-really gets going!

Are you ready? ( Time to start choosing next year's seeds!)

Yes, it is that time again. Why? because some things, like onions and asparagus, can be started as early as January. then I start the flowers..then the peppers, tomato and basil. this will run up into April when we start planting-onions, parnsip, pea, etc.

I'm investigating hybrid seed this year. Why? because drought does not explain dying zucchini, or a lack of bean pods on the green beans. I am attempting to find improved types with heirloom parents.I figure disease resistant types while I keep improving the beds will work, in the long run. I do have  saved seed of several veggie and flower types...I might add, good compost is one of the cures for disease. it allows a better balance of organisms.

Here are some ideas I am "noodling"

"Jade" and "Knight"pea and "Crockett" beans;"Big Beef Beefsteak" and "Country Taste F1" tomatoes,parsnips "javelin" and "gladiator", Cucumber "Fortune F1". Heirloom pumpkin, as they did fine-though powdery mildew resistance in butternuts, etc are possible; perhaps improved Dill...just type those trademarked names into your search engine and you should find lots of delightful seed companies.

I need a lot of flowers. nasturtium and calendula,cosmos and cleome (to bring the bees!) . and herbs and onions. I am going to expand the polyculture beds. As well as setting aside more room for beans! ( my niece loves roasted green beens...we cannot grow too many!) This means the peas and beans and onions get a reduced role ( or different ground for main crops)' but i want to expand the multiplier onion bed. I love the darned things.

Doubled the garlic grown..such a treat...Dugansky and Inchilium Red, and indeed the organic starts proved useful; no disease. the bulbs are just beautiful; flavor intense., should be even bigger this year.

The Tomatoes are going in to bigger planting pots. think Whiskey barrel or bigger.Might prevent uh-puppy playing damage. this probably does mean having to buy some soil for the first year(we have 2 bigger planting pots so need at least 4 more). I don't think you can overspend on such a basic part of the garden. Organic..good balance. May even give in and get specialized Tomato soil ( and might do the same for peppers; big pots of peppers. also to get them up from puppy teeth. had lots of them but didn;t get to eat them)

I do like Caribe potatoes and will order new stock for the potato bags. ( pale yellow; yummy) it was so hot i don;t think the bags were given a fair trial. All produced though not as much as i would have liked. the bags are filled with compost and mineral supplements,then comfrey and nettle leaves, then straw for the last few inches.

the big projects are placing vines around the new arbor ( ground covered with compost, minerals and lime, cardboard and straw) we think Ken;s Red kiwi vines, a clematis for the darkest corner..and perhaps morning glories or trombocini vines for fill in this first year.And completing moreof  the apple tree polyculture.

I'd like more cherry bushes,currents,  and nitrogen fixers around the apple trees; which did very well in spite of drought, with their flower and comfrey companions.We'll see if the medlar and jujube made it. I will say the berries are FABULOUS and should produce well next year.So pretty with all the leaves turned red...so happy in their bed of straw.

and do consider making soil blocks instead of all those plastic pots. I really think it improved the veggie starts tremendously.Don;t forget lime and minerals in your beds and compost...and things should be GOOD!

as far as those seed companies; some of my favorites

Johnny's Seeds
Southern Exposure
Kitchen Garden Seeds

That should get you started! don;t forget Park's, Burpee, and Harris.