If you’ve ever wondered what gardening in Maine {zone 6a} looks like at the end of October… This is it. Well, this is what the end of October looks like this year anyway. Every year here in Mid-Coast Maine is a bit different.
You just never know for sure when that first frost will hit and gardening season is basically over for the year.
The evening temps are supposed to drop below thirty degrees this week so I think it’s time to trim back the chive plants so I don’t have to look at a stringy mess every time I open the front door this winter.
Plus trimming them back {all 20+ chives plants} just helps the front kitchen garden look nice and tidy too.
Beets. We’re swimming in them.
I pulled up a few yesterday… I’ll harvest the rest in another day or two and store them in the fridge to use later this fall/winter. Roasted beets. Mmm mmm!
The kale I planted in early September is leafing out nicely.
And the rest of the leeks are ready to be pulled up and used.
I think this was the second year that I’ve successfully grown leeks and I really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely be growing them next year. Plus, they’ve been fun to pass out to friends who have stopped by for a visit.
Not many people grow them so it’s always a nice surprise when someone sees them in your garden.
And broccoli!
Hey, we got some. I didn’t think we would as they were super slow to grow this fall.
Lucy, our four legged landscaper aerating the garden beds for us.
I always feel a little bad for her this time of year. Once the ground freezes, there’s no more digging for treasure or snacking on garden goodness for her until next spring.
If only I could extend the season a little longer for her. Oh well. Winter will be here soon enough. I just hope we get some snow if it’s going to get super cold. She loves it when the HH plows a “race track” for her.
Every season, there’s something to look forward to. 🙂
So what’s new in your garden? Are you done for the year so still harvesting? Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
Brianna says
I saw a 3 pack of bundled leeks yesterday at the grocery store for $4.99. I guess I will not be making any potato leek soup. I thought the price was way too much. I love the mild flavor of them and I use the Alton Brown recipe and it is wonderful.
Jennifer says
For the love of everything holy, please post a video of Lucy running her snow track this winter!!
J in OH-IO says
Yes, Yes, Yes, Please! I second Jennifer’s request of Lucy running her snow track!!!
Rosemary says
I put my garden to bed yesterday – we are zone 8b. I pulled up the green bean plants, the pumpkin and watermelon plants. I left the onions – they seem to be in a “holding” pattern – not sure what they will do once we get some cold weather. Hubby collected the leaves and covered the entire garden in them. Each week I will go out and put compost (from the kitchen) into various areas. By spring, I am hoping the soil will be nice and rich.
Margo says
Nice thing about zone 10a is we can garden all year. I have broccoli, carrots, chards, beets, kales, leeks, onions, herbs, radishes, potatoes, lettuces all planted and growing. Still growing sweet peppers and a few eggplants. Won’t plant garlic until next month. You could can the beets and put them in your beautiful canning cupboard. We used our last jar of pickled beets so I’m looking forward to some fresh ones in the future. I grow mostly for fresh eating as I don’t have a huge space, but might have to get some from the farmers market to can. It’s all good to me!
suzanne says
Good idea to trim the chives before they get stringy. My front garden is blooming nicely now that the deer have moved on to the neighbors old fruit orchard. I’m in 8b and need to get out the electric hedge trimmers for the first round of cleanup. Not always pretty but it’s the only way I can keep up with it. Kale’s going strong and next years crop of garlic is starting to peek out.
I’m going to try leeks this next year. Do you have a suggestion? I was thinking Rare seeds. We love the Nardello’s you recommended.
Carolyn Rust says
I don’t know my zone (PacNW), but my herb garden is still happy in spite of the recent freezing mornings. Probably has to do with the neighbor’s tree dumping a boat load of leaves on it creating an insulating barrier. Whatever! It kept my chives standing up and my parsley is still bushy and happy.
HollyG says
I picked the last of the cabbage, carrots, and green beans this morning and cleaned u some of the beds. I put the 5 foot tall marigolds and the dahlias into the compost after pulling some of the dry flowers for seed.
Vicki in Birmingham says
Since you have so many beets, have you ever cooked the beet greens? I am told they are delicious. I didn’t grow any beets and when I go to the grocery store, the beets there have very few leaves on them.
I intend to try it though (when I can get enough to cook!)
Cheryl says
Wow! You have lots of chives! Once you cut them back, do you dry them and use them? I love the flavor. 🙂