The Beginning of the End

Well almost. There should still be some Broccoli, Cabbage, and Peas out there, but Cauliflower might be about done now.

Also, you should have all of the Rutabaga in by now too, and with that achievement, that whole row can be turned over in preparation for next year.

If you decided on a second planting of Spinach, now would be the time to collect on that task. If not, this row should have been turned over by now; if not, there's no point in putting it off any longer.

Have a nice day in the garden

Just think of next year

Harvest, Harvest, and still more Harvest

Do you feel rich yet? It's not too late to order more jars. Make sure you have plenty. You might want to have 20 maybe 30 cases of Pint jars, depending on how many things you're able to store in a cold room and how many things you need to can. There's still potatoes to consider. I need to can mine if I have very many.

So today is more of the same. Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Zucchini, Rutabaga, and Peas. Zucchini might be winding down now, and if you planted any other kind of summer squash, you might start thinking of pinching off any new blooms. You want the plant to concentrate it's energy on ripening what it has more than producing new. Judge this move by the temperature of the day and night though. As long as nights are staying comfortably above 40 degrees, let them do whatever they want.

Happy Harvesting

Happy Putting By too

More Gardening Plunder

Are you weeding too? Don't let them get away from you. Not even in those places that are becoming empty. Remember, there is always next year.

So put by (or serve for supper) more Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower, Zucchini, Rutabaga, and Peas. Busy, busy, busy.

If you're feeling really brave, as brave (or braver) than last week, there might be time for another crop of carrots. They won't be ready until the 23rd of October at the earliest, so you'll be seriously racing frost. You might want to look into ways to cover these crops with plastic during those later days. We'll be talking more about that when we get closer to those possible frosty days.

Other than that, nothing new.

Happy Harvesting

What Does August Mean to You

August is the beginning of the end of summer, but it is only the beginning. You should still have Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower. Are you enjoying the wealth of what you have reaped? You should be incredibly proud of yourself.

If you really like beets, and since that area is now empty, there is time to plant another crop. It will be close though. They won't be ready until into October. If you're still harvesting there, you better not plan on another crop.

Carrots should be done now, but now you can start looking for those nice fat pea pods. That is depending on what kind of peas you planted. I don't like the kind where you eat the pods; I find them tough. I like the kind where you sit at the table and split those pods, going after those tender peas inside. Yum

Peas:
Pressure Canning:

• Shell and wash
• Pack loosely into jars leaving 1 inch at the top
• Cover with boiling water

Cook for 40 minutes at 10 pounds
Remember what I said about following canner directions.

Freezing: (same day as harvesting)

• blanch for 2 minutes in boiling water. 3 minutes in steam
• freeze immediately

A New Delight

Happy Harvesting