Cold Crops

A week ago we had a snow storm here in Philly, followed by some really cold days, but this past weekend was so spring-like I couldn't resist buying some cold weather crops at my local greenhouse. These are all organic starts from Primex in Glenside, Pa. I'll have to watch the weather and get some plastic over these if we get some low temperatures in the coming weeks, but I think these will do just fine. I've got Baby Bok Choi, Chinese Cabbage, Mustard Greens, Lettuce, and Rocket; enough to get me started on some really great organic greens much earlier than I usually harvest anything. As these mature and I harvest them, I'll replace them with greens that I grow from seed myself.

baby bok choi 3.8.2009

lettuce 3.8.2009

Primex Garden Center

Seed Catalogue Time!

It's time to start ordering the 2009 Seed Catalogs and begin planning and dreaming about what to grow in the garden this year. Here are links to some of my favorite seed suppliers...

Seeds of Italy

Seed Savers Exchange

Seeds of Change

Amish Land Seeds

First Snow

This morning saw the first blanket of snow on the herb garden and pumpkins left out for the squirrels. Hopefully the fresh herbs still in the garden will survive until next week for Thanksgiving dinner. The Broccoli seeds under the bell jars have sprouted! Nothing else has started to come up and I doubt they will at this point. We have had some very cold nights.

Late Season Crops

I decided to try some very late season veggies. This morning I sowed Broccoli, Carrots, and Lettuce seeds. It's been relatively mild so far this Fall. I've always wanted to try a late Fall/early Winter crop. It would be incredible to be able to harvest something for a Holiday meal directly from the garden.

Ice Box Pickles

What to do with the last crop of green tomatoes....

Bring to a boil...
1 quart Apple Cider Vinegar
1 quart water
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup salt

pack clean jars with:
Sliced onions
Cayenne peppers
Herbs & Spices
(I used Oregano, Dill, Curry, Clove, Black Pepper, Lemon Grass)
Garlic cloves
Sliced Green Tomatoes

Fill jars with boiling vinegar mixture
Put jars in the back of the Ice Box for at least two weeks