Winter Rye, Wilt Pruf, And The Last Of A Lovely Little Veggie Crop

Yesterday I attended a class called "Putting Your Garden To Bed" which was offered at Gardener's Supply Company in Burlington. Two things I learned:
1.) A cover crop such as winter rye helps to put nutrients back into the soil. In the spring, you can turn over the grass which will add some organic matter. Cover crops also help to prevent soil compaction and erosion. Dirt which has been the home of heavy feeders such as corn, cabbage, lettuce, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes will also benefit from the addition of compost.
2.) I learned about a product called Wilt Pruf, which will help protect evergreens such as rhodies, azaleas, cypress, junipers, and boxwoods from windburn and winter kill. It helps by keeping moisture in the leaves. Best of all, it is totally organic and biodegradable. It is best to apply this product after the first hard frost, when moisture has retreated to the plant's root system. Otherwise, you could have some seriously unhappy plants.
I collected the last of the Corola potatoes today. These were super delicious, easy to grow, and probably Blake's most favorite vegetable to grow. There are a few peppers and tomatoes left on the plants, but they are done for the most part. I have tried several varieties of tomatoes, and still like the Green Zebras the best. Unfortunately, our vegetable garden was feeling a bit neglected this year due to my focus on the front mixed gardens. But, even with a fair amount of neglect, we still did quite well. Now that everything has been cleaned out, the empty dirt makes me feel a little sad. I love the times when you're cooking dinner and can run outside for a fresh pepper or tomato. On the other hand, the empty dirt makes me think about next year: the improvements I'll make and the asparagus bed that will be ready for it's first harvest.

Current Obsession: Kniphofia

I can't resist the fiery reds, oranges, and yellows of the beautiful red-hot poker. And, I must admit that some of my fascination lies in the fact that they're just not supposed to grow here in my zone 4 garden. After seeing these beauties in The Well-Tended Perennial Garden, I decided that I must have some. Following some extensive online shopping and research, I discovered that most varieties are listed as being hardy in zones 6 through 9. Bummer!! But, I did find a few varieties that are listed as being zone 5 hardy. I decided to purchase one plant, Bee's Sunset, and watch and wait. Confession: I visit this plant almost every day, just to make sure it looks happy. I would probably sing to it, too, if only I knew what kind of music it likes. I planted it in one of the most protected areas that I could find, and I've read that it helps to tie the leaves together and mulch it with pine needles for the winter. If all goes well, I will definitely be purchasing some more. I visited the website for Seneca Hill Perennials, which is located in upstate New York. They have had great success in growing these South African plants, and I can only hope that I do, too.
La-da-dee-da-dah......

Screw The Tomatoes...Let's Talk About Tofu

This time of year, it's pretty much impossible not to notice the overwhelming amount of information about tomatoes. Yeah, they're in season... nothing beats a garden fresh tomato... how to can... how to store... how to ripen... the best heirloom variety... what to do with the insane amount of tomatoes you have sitting inside your refrigerator... blah, blah, blah. Everyone is talking about them, blogging about them, and reading about them. ENOUGH with the tomatoes!!
Back in May of 2007, I took a tofu-making class through Champlain Valley Union High School Access program. (If you're not aware of this program, you should check it out. They offer a little bit of everything.) Well, after an exhaustive search trying to find Nigari (a thickening agent used to make tofu), I pretty much came to the conclusion that it is unavailable in Vermont. I even tried to special order it through several local stores, which either never called me back to inform me whether they could get it, or if they did get it, I never heard about it. ANYWAY, I ordered it online, and finally got around to making a batch of my own. It turned out to be totally delicious. If you have never had homemade or artisan tofu, there is nothing that could compare. You absolutely must try it. It is even delicious raw. Yes, raw. While I love Soy Boy, I don't see myself pulling out a raw block of it and gnawing on it. In fact, the thought of it is kind of nauseating. But, the homemade... mmmmm!! So, move over tomatoes... the tofu may just start taking over the fridge.

September Garden Chores...(think Spring!!)

As many of the perennials in my garden are winding down for the season, I have found pleasure in choosing my spring bulbs, and planning on just where to plant them. This year I chose: three varieties of allium (schubertii, atropurpureum, and purple sensation), two varieties of tulips (black parrot, and the fringed blue heron), and a flaming yellow foxtail lily. I am so looking forward to seeing them in the spring. One aspect of gardening that I have a very difficult time with: patience. If anyone has some extra, please send it my way.

In my bulb-planting research, I have found that it is beneficial at the time of planting to add some bulb-booster (fertilizer) which also contains some crushed shells which will help (hopefully!) in protecting them from hungry critters. This is my first spring-bulb planting experience, so we'll see how it goes. If anyone has any tips, I would be happy to hear of them.

Other than bulbs, there are a few other to-do's for this month:

• For your perennials and shrubs, give them one more application of fertilizer and give them a good drink of water - this will help them through the winter months.
  
• Dig up any tender bulbs such as cannas, gladiolus, and dahlias so that they can be stored for the winter.
  
• Allow hips to form on your rose bushes.
• Leaving seed heads on the rudbeckia and echinacea provides food for the birds. Also, waiting until spring to cut back some of those perennials and ornamental grasses provides some shelter for those feathered friends. This can also help achieve some winter interest in your garden.
• Perennials that you are cutting back for winter should be cut down after several killing frosts. And, plants should be cut back to within 2-3 inches of the ground.
• This is also a great time to divide and move perennials.
  
• Bring houseplants back indoors.
• Plant trees and shrubs.
• Watch out for frost, and cover those tender plants if necessary.
• Give that compost bin one last turn.

Whoa...buddy!!

If you have somehow managed to miss out on Island Ice Cream, you are truly missing out on one of life's great pleasures. This ice cream is homemade right here in Grand Isle, Vermont. It is super creamy and delicious. My favorite flavors (so far) are the maple walnut and cake
batter. Island Ice Cream will have a scoop cart at the Applefest celebration in South Hero, VT on October 11th and 12th. If you would like to check out their website, which also contains a complete list of where you can purchase their ice cream, please visit http://www.islandhomemadeicecream.com/
Caution: may induce drooling.

Dreams Deferred

For my English Composition class, we had write a 5 paragraph writing sample based on the following poem Harlem (1951) by Langston Hughes. I found the poem to be inspiring. I saw an opportunity to reflect on some of my accomplishments, and think about some of the dreams and desires that I have deferred.

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the Sun?
Or fester like a sore
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over-
like a syrupy sweet
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load
Or does it explode?

Throughout my life I have had a handful of dreams and goals which have been left unfulfilled. I suppose the outcome depends somewhat on where I am at in my life. Sometimes I feel as though I am in a position to tackle something head-on. Other times it seems easier to say, "well, maybe next year," or "maybe this winter." On occasion, I have also found myself wishing that I had something to tackle, but just couldn't find something "tackle-worthy." This can sometimes lead to discovering something new and exciting that was definitely worth the wait. After reading the poem Harlem by Langston Hughes, I found myself comparing many of the metaphors to my own dreams and goals, reflecting on those which have been fulfilled, and remembering those that haven't.

One line in the poem questions if a dream deferred "sags like a heavy load, or does it explode?" This immediately made me think of my gardening. I have always had an interest in plants, but recently I have felt that it has really become a part of who I am. A short time ago I would visit a nursery and pick out a few things that caught my eye, then bring them home and feel unsure about where I should plant them, or what would look best next to it. I have spent a lot of time over the past couple of years pouring over gardening books, researching different plants, and looking through several designs. I feel as though I now have my own style, and my own plan. I can go outside and look at my garden and smile - there is order and rhythm. I like the way it looks, and I enjoy spending time in it. I feel as though my dream of being a good gardener is taking shape, exploding in a sense.

Maybe it's time to revisit some of the things that I have put off for another day. There's so many things I would like to try. If only I had some more time on my hands....