The 2019 Veg Patch.

Well, the seeds have all been purchased and the logistics/rotations have all been calculated. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a plan. Veg Garden Beans, Fava: Masterpiece (Baker Creek), Broad Windsor (Baker Creek) Beets: Kestrel (Fedco), Touchstone (Fedco) Broccoli: Burgundy Sprouting (Fedco) Cabbage: Kalibos (Baker Creek) Cucumber: Telegraph Improved (Baker Creek), Tendergreen Burpless (Baker Creek) Eggplant:…

Let’s Talk: Perennial Veg

Alas, here we are at the end of the series. Just in time to place your seed and plant orders (if you haven't already)! The last topic is perennial veggies. There aren't many where I grown and a few I've already covered (bunching onions and chives, kale where it is warm enough). I'll leave this…

Let’s Talk: Random Veg

These are far from the vegetable version of the Island of Misfit Toys, but not everyone is going to be geeked out to try these, so I've lumped them in together with just the basic information you'd need to know. Perhaps next year I'll delve into these less common vegetable garden citizens. My plan with…

Let’s Talk: Potatoes

Alright, potatoes are where my stance on 'cheap to buy and readily available so don't grow them' falls apart. Fresh potatoes are so amazing. New potatoes. Waxy, flavorful, amazing potatoes. Yes, they take up loads of room. Yes, you can now get amazing varieties in your local markets and yes, they are cheap (usually) in…

Let’s Talk: Garlic

I shall not pretend to be an expert on garlic. You see, I only just planted my patch last fall. They've not even produced a crop so you certainly shouldn't take advice from me. But I will tell you how I went about choosing my variety. Onward! Time to Maturity: N/A. Bulbs are produced asexually…

Let’s Talk: Root Veg

Beets, Rutabaga, Turnips, Parsnips. I've lumped them together because growing them is mostly the same sort of affair. Same with uses and pests. I promise to single things out when applicable! Time to Maturity: 50-70 days is average for beets and turnips. Beet leaves can be harvested earlier and small turnip varieties can be closer…

Let’s Talk: Broccoli & Cauliflower

Broccoli and Cauliflower are big plants. Please do remember this as you decide what to plant! For this reason, and because you only get one head per plant (unless you are growing sprouting or broccolini/rapini types), I tend not to grow them. Its just not a lot of bang for the buck (and square footage…

Let’s Talk: Onions

Oh onions. You are rewarding to grow, but I'm not always sure if you are worth it. Shallots? Yes, absolutely. Specialty onions like Cippolini? Yes. Bunching/Green Onions? You betcha. Regular old onions? Not so much (in my humble opinion). Regular onions fall into the category of cheap to buy and easy to get, so I…

Let’s Talk: Radish

Radish is one of the things that is so easy to grow and there are so many fun varieties that I can't imaging a veg patch without them (that is, unless you hate the taste!). I've grown so many types and have rarely had failures. This is an easy and fun place to experiment with…

Let’s Talk: Beans

Beans are a bit of an adversary for me. Pole beans are so unruly and require big, tall supports. Bush beans only sort of like to grow for me. Dried beans aren't ever worth the effort. Frozen beans from the grocery stores are pretty damned good and a whole lot less work. But Fava Beans?…

Let’s Talk: Peppers

Hot or Sweet- if its warm enough where you live (or you have a greenhouse or cold frame) I can't help but recommend you try to grow some peppers. The variety alone makes it worth it, but the range of flavors and uses is mind-boggling. There is a pepper for every flavor, every spice level,…

Let’s Talk: Peas

I love growing peas! I never cook or preserve any of the peas we grow. We eat them in the garden, fresh off the plant, and it is the best treat in Spring. I will grow Sugar Snap type peas until I can't garden anymore. Let's get into what you need to know. Type: Shelling,…

Let’s Talk: Cabbage

I have a love-hate relationship with cabbage. They take up boatloads of room and don't always head up. But, when they do (and aren't riddled with holes from cabbage moth worms), they are a sight to behold and truly delicious. This means my decision on any given year to grow them depends entirely upon space.…

Let’s Talk: Eggplants / Aubergines

I LOVE growing Eggplants (or Aubergines depending on what side of the pond you are on). For one, they are a unique veg and not everyone grows them, so there's the novelty factor. Second, they are super expensive everywhere (grocery stores and markets) and the varieties are super limited. Third, they are delicious and, once…

Let’s Talk: Cucumbers

The humble cucumber. Never a sexy veg, but summer certainly seems not-quite-right without them. We only ever use them fresh. I don't can or pickle them, and I've not figured out another way to preserve them through winter. With all that in mind, we usually grow 2-3 plants (that and they take up a good…

Let’s Talk: Tomatoes

Welcome back from the Thanksgiving smorgasboard everyone! I, for one, am still full and have a whole tray of turkey leftovers waiting for me. Oy! The Christmas tree is up and the house is now fully Holiday-ized. The first of the seed catalogs arrived shortly before Thanksgiving (High Mowing Organics), so I figured I'd better…

Let’s Talk: Veg Shopping Rules

Rules sounds so strict! But I do think it is crucial to have a few bits of information in your back pocket when you dive into either the nursery or the seed catalogs to shop for veggies. Know your growing days. I live up North, Zone 4a (much like MyBackyardGarden4b who got us started down…

Veg In Review: 2018 Season

Though there are still a few carrots and rutabaga in the dirt, I think its fair to say the growing season is over for most of us. That means its time to make heads or tails of it all and make notes for next year. Let's get to it! What Worked: The peppers had an…

Lush.

The main weather station up in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota) has told me that, as of last night, we've received just shy of 5 inches of rain this month. The garden is, for the first time since spring, so very lush and deliciously green. I can't get over how different it…

August.

Holy crap you guys. It is hot and it is dry and every single living thing outside looks sad, wilty, bedraggled, and completely over it. I'm inclined to agree with the trees. But the peppers and cucumbers are loving it and I am therefore drowning in both. The melons appear no worse for the wear…