December Garden Ramblings
This month is more about holiday prep than actual work in the potager. Other than harvesting for dinner, there's not a lot of chores that need doing in the garden ; )
The veggies are thriving, doing just fine out in the garden, not bothered by light frosts or heavy rains.
We are currently harvesting parsnips, carrots, spinach, celery, kohlrabi, and arugula. The spinach tastes fantastic at this time of year! Something to be said for lots of rain and cool temps ; )
Oh, and I have kale, of course, two kinds this year... pretty, curly Winterbor, and strapping, thick leafed Lacinato. I shred them up and add to the dogs' dinner bowls, for a dose of healthy dark greens. They don't love it, but if shredded fine enough, they eat most of it.
The celery went pretty limp during a cold snap last month and I thought it was goners, but it perked back up again just fine after a bit of rain.
We harvest the stalks as we go, twisting them off from the base. If you leave the celery planted in the ground and harvest only the stalks, it is pretty much a perennial and will start to grow again in spring. Celery is pretty tough and can handle quite a bit of weather, but if you are worried about heavy frost or snow, cover with a frost blanket or low hoop frames.
It has now become an annual tradition to make these birdseed wreaths for the holidays and well into the new year, too. The recipe I use to make my wholesome wreaths can be found HERE!
Helpers... oh yes, I have plenty of help as I get ready for the holidays...
The Garden Shop is ready for the holidays
Our weather has been a bit all over the place this month. We had several super dense and foggy days, kinda like Stephen King's 'The Mist'. I was just waiting for the other-worldly creatures to arrive.
The fog was followed by gorgeous, sunny days with a bit of a nip in the air, and now rain is forecast for the weekend. I absolutely love those mild, drizzly winter days, grey though they may be. Perfect weather for doing just about anything.
The fog was followed by gorgeous, sunny days with a bit of a nip in the air, and now rain is forecast for the weekend. I absolutely love those mild, drizzly winter days, grey though they may be. Perfect weather for doing just about anything.
The veggies are thriving, doing just fine out in the garden, not bothered by light frosts or heavy rains.
We are currently harvesting parsnips, carrots, spinach, celery, kohlrabi, and arugula. The spinach tastes fantastic at this time of year! Something to be said for lots of rain and cool temps ; )
Oh, and I have kale, of course, two kinds this year... pretty, curly Winterbor, and strapping, thick leafed Lacinato. I shred them up and add to the dogs' dinner bowls, for a dose of healthy dark greens. They don't love it, but if shredded fine enough, they eat most of it.
Rabbits have nibbled the ferny tops off of the carrots, and some of the smaller tops have died down to the ground. The roots themselves are fine under the ground though.
Should you hear about a hard cold snap coming your way, mulch them up with 6 to 10 inches of straw (or some compost), else the tops of the roots may freeze and then thaw out as mush.
Should you hear about a hard cold snap coming your way, mulch them up with 6 to 10 inches of straw (or some compost), else the tops of the roots may freeze and then thaw out as mush.
The celery went pretty limp during a cold snap last month and I thought it was goners, but it perked back up again just fine after a bit of rain.
We harvest the stalks as we go, twisting them off from the base. If you leave the celery planted in the ground and harvest only the stalks, it is pretty much a perennial and will start to grow again in spring. Celery is pretty tough and can handle quite a bit of weather, but if you are worried about heavy frost or snow, cover with a frost blanket or low hoop frames.
We are dressing things up for the holidays here at the homestead and the Nitty Gritty Greenhouse. Making seasonal plantings in the front porch pots, a strand of garland for around the front door, and decorating with hand made wreaths of greenery.
It has now become an annual tradition to make these birdseed wreaths for the holidays and well into the new year, too. The recipe I use to make my wholesome wreaths can be found HERE!
Helpers... oh yes, I have plenty of help as I get ready for the holidays...
Princess Penelope checks out all the decorations, puts them through an inspection. Here she is trying to decide what she thinks of the festive holiday bird perched atop a wee spruce tree.
Ruby Tuesday keeps the strawberries warm in the front yard garden beds.
This wee, cutie patootie helps bring wood to the house from the woodlot.
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!
Much love and blessings from my house to yours!
Tanja
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