Yesterday I was able to sneak outside for a bit and get a jump start on my winter garden. I planted 3 purple cabbage and 2 packets of lettuce seeds in the stock tank turned planter alongside the house. I ordered some Carnival Carrots and Detroit Dark Red Beet seeds from Botanical Interests over the weekend, and as soon as they get here, those will go in the planter as well.
I also planted a few more cabbage plants and some cauliflower starts in the big pots along the back of the house as well. Normally I would have planted these in early September, but with the move and remodel going on, I’m a little late this year. But I’m optimistic. Unless we have a ridiculously cold winter, I should be harvesting cabbage towards the beginning of next year. It’s a long time to wait for a head of cabbage, but at will at least give me something to look forward to as I map out my garden for next year.
And today, I hope to find the grow lights {buried in the garage somewhere} so I can get some basil going indoors. Which I think will look pretty darn fantastic once my kitchen window area gets put back together.
Gardening, there’s always something you can grow!
~Mavis
Anndra says
Are there any inexpensive grow lights that you have tried and would recommend?
Mavis Butterfield says
The only ones I’ve ever used are mentioned at the bottom of the post.
Cecily says
I use inexpensive 4 foot shop lights with great results. I get them at my local hardware store for about $20 including the bulbs.
Peggy Stenglein says
Fantastic! The cabbage will be well worth the wait! 🙂
Elizabeth in Upstate NY says
Am envious that you can do a winter garden. Here, we get way too much snow and cold weather. Red cabbage, eh? Ever make Rotkohl? We love it so much, that this year canned 15 pints of it. Everyone we have shared it with wants more! Enjoy your remodel stories.
Mavis Butterfield says
I am pretty lucky with the mild weather here…never made rotkohl, I’ll have to give it a try.
Heidi says
Mavis, good for you for planting a winter garden now. This is my first year of serious winter gardening, and things are looking great, but it is a little nerve racking to think that these plants are going to survive the winter. (I’m on Vancouver Island, so similar climate to yours) I’m hoping that you report on your plants that you just put in the ground, because I was really nervous about when to plant mine, and if yours do well when planted in October, I’m going to be a lot more relaxed next year. Now I just have to get the garlic in the ground…
Mavis says
I’ll keep you posted!