The back garden is where we planted corn this year. Only the portion along the fence will be used for one of our winter cold frames.

We are still learning how to extend our growing seasons, and this year we will continue experimenting.  The plan for this winter is 2 cold frame structures.  They’ll both be ‘make-shift’ as are most everything around here, but based on last year’s information I expect to extend our growing season into next year.

Our climate here tends to be mild, even though we have all the potential to be snowed under, we usually aren’t.  And for 9 out of 10 of those years, we could definitely be growing through fall into winter.    Last year’s trials were just some plastic haphazardly strewn over some herbs & a tiny plastic tent over some spinach, so this year we’re going all out.

I prepared the bed by pulling the corn stalks and opening up the gate to the chickens.  In 2 weeks, what was a weed filled mess is now this (photo top) leveled, brown garden.  I pitchforked up the area I plan to plant and have been amending the soil.  Next I’ll bring in some mulch and close it off to chickens and put in the seed pots we had to start.  We

45 peat pots & cups with Spinach, Lettuce, Beans, Parsley & Cucumber - all 70 days or less on the growing cycle.

had to start them because Labor Day rains, left small lakes in most of the south eastern United States, including my yard.  No outdoor planting allowed, so we made do and got seeds started in cups.  Spinach, Romaine, Cucumbers (to see if they would produce), Parsley & Green Beans.  The Radish, Kohl Rabi & Carrots I’m also going to start need to be sown directly in the soil so I’ll have to wait on those.

To the left here are the fall seed cups, getting some natural rain today outside because at the end of Hurricane Lee here, we’re getting lovely light misty rain.  I can truly put them in the garden as soon as the flooding rains go away and the ground firms up a little.  I don’t wait on seedlings to grow up big & strong because around here, they do best if they grow up right outside.  When I have to take seedlings in and outside, they always have to have that adjustment period and I’m too impatient to do it properly.   When I put them right out, they have their good soil and are protected from washing away in rain because of the cup, and they learn to live right where they are supposed to.   Heck, I wonder if they even notice they are in a peat cup?  Well, I do it because without them, seedlings wash away, it’s difficult to know where to water exactly.  It’s win win like this for us.

Well, on that note, I’m off to get some things done on my cookbook!  It’s coming along nicely and I’m very encouraged.  I am running a week or so behind but I suppose that is to be expected to!

Thank you for reading and for all of your support!

Cheers!