The 2016 garden thread

[Patrick]

@rlb and I were speaking at the Watchung meeting about the bumper crops at the tail end of the season, the late wet Indian summer was kind to the plants, though I think it's officially over this/next weekend. Harvest or lose them folks.
For those who don't know, you can eat pepper leaves. They remind me of a spinach but takes longer to cook. Harvest some and cook them like kale or collards. It's one of my fall favorites.

i did not know that - bonus!

 

[qclabrat]

i did not know that - bonus!

asian thang, if you are adventurous, make a soup with pork liver, pepper leaves and pepper corns
just remember to harvest soon before yellowing, probably this week, possible real frost next week

 

[rlb]

@rlb and I were speaking at the Watchung meeting about the bumper crops at the tail end of the season, the late wet Indian summer was kind to the plants, though I think it's officially over this/next weekend. Harvest or lose them folks.
For those who don't know, you can eat pepper leaves. They remind me of a spinach but takes longer to cook. Harvest some and cook them like kale or collards. It's one of my fall favorites.

Thanks for the tip on the pepper leaves! I'll give it a try.

 

[Zaskar]

FREEZE WARNINGS for tonight! As a first year garden I'm left with just potatoes growing. Do I need to cover them?

 

[MadisonDan]

FREEZE WARNINGS for tonight! As a first year garden I'm left with just potatoes growing. Do I need to cover them?

yes... with one of the following...
Butter
Sour Cream
Bacon & Cheddar

 

[Zaskar]

yes... with one of the following...
Butter
Sour Cream
Bacon & Cheddar

 

[qclabrat]

cover with layer of thick clean leaves
should make it past this week fine
I'm guessing they are not yet ready for harvest?
once the soil hits 40F your tatos will be toast, so plan to harvest soon

 

[Zaskar]

cover with layer of thick clean leaves
should make it past this week fine
I'm guessing they are not yet ready for harvest?
once the soil hits 40F your tatos will be toast, so plan to harvest soon

Leaves (or butter) will go on today. These were a second planting done late summer so should be getting close. It's all been a learning experience this year like don't plant more then two zucchinis next year....

 

[qclabrat]

Swiss chard and some greens today
a few cool weather crops finally coming around
still have some romaine and peppers which need harvesting
this is also the time I winterize the power tools and fire up the generator and snoblower. @jShort also reminded me last year to bring in the hoses after shutting off the spigots