July 11, 2011

Welcome to the dog days of summer--we're feeling it.  The first of July brought red ripe tomatoes and a bushel of bell peppers; sweet corn was not long behind.  Harvest baskets like these are becoming a daily event--the culmination of summer rain and sunshine, organic practices, and season-long planning.  Organic is not always as romantic as vibrant photos appear:  we could have pictured the dozen or more bell peppers with insect holes that were relegated to our compost bin; some insect damage is tolerable for the sake of a balanced ecological environment.  (Insecticides kill both bad bugs and the good kind that provide natural pest control and pollination).  Palmetto Acres Garden is producing much more than we can consume fresh, and some planning for the winter-to-come will enable us to enjoy our surplus when the garden is a frozen heap.

 

The bushel of bell peppers were halved or chopped, frozen, and individually wrapped and freezer bagged.  Cucumbers were pickled with dill and garlic and canned in jars.  Green beans are pressure canned in quart jars.  We ensure that everything is harvested at its peak ripeness when it is preserved.  For the present time we are keeping up with corn fresh on the cob and tomatoes in garden spaghetti sauce and salsa.

 

Carrots remain fresh in the ground through winter, so we pull up only what we need.  Still waiting on that first melon, but our first tree-ripened peach was a sweet treat.  Dill seed heads are turning brown and will be saved to plant new dill next year.  Gladiolas are adding to the riot of summer color, masking some of the garden's lush and overgrown appearance.  Pumpkins are setting fruit, soft and green now, but swelling with purpose toward a September harvest. 

 

Too early to think about Fall?  Not if we want brussels sprouts, cabbages, and root crops to enjoy later.  Brussels sprouts take on average 120 days to harvest, so add that up:  it's time to start seed indoors now.  These are one of the few vegetables that can be harvested all winter long.

April 4, 2011

One of our goals as organic gardeners is to make soil loose and open enough over time so we can retire our tillers for good; frequent tillage at the same depth can cause the development of hardpan, a compacted layer of soil below the surface that impedes root growth and water absorption.  The easiest and least expensive way to improve soil is by adding organic matter.  I read after the fact that cover crops should be worked into the soil when they're less than 6 inches tall, and that if the crop is taller, working it in will take more effort.  It was too late to follow the 6-inch rule; ours was 24!  Except for stopping to pull great bundles of clover out, the tiller really did a fine job mixing it in. 

Before tilling I noticed dozens of lady bird beetles (commonly known as ladybugs) perched atop the crop's tall leaves and stems.  These beetles are one of the gardener's best friends because both the adult and its larvae feed on aphids, scale insects, and other small soft-bodied pests.  I hope they stick around!  Red clover attracts and nurtures beneficial insects.  This section of the garden contained its own diverse ecosystem - there was evidence a rabbit had taken up residence too.  Maybe now it will find another home... fat chance, with a gourmet salad bar on hand!  I've already lost some peas to critters, but there's enough.  Organic gardening doesn't necessarily result in insect-free plants and picture-perfect produce; sometimes the only way to keep everyone happy is to plant some for you and some for them.

Mom liked to edge her vegetables with flowers, and certain plants such as marigolds bring the added benefit of naturally repelling pests.  We're going more for beauty with these exhibition gladiolus bulbs in one section; we traditionally line the corn patch with sunflowers, which attract several beneficial pollinators.

South Carolina is God's country this week as Spring is in full bloom; take some time to enjoy it.