Fall Gardening

The weather has been kind to my garden this season. It has stayed relatively temperate so far this Fall, which is nice for the plants, and tricky for your wardrobe. Everything is looking really nice, and today, I planted more radishes to supplant those which have already been harvested. I also did a taste test of the five lettuce varieties that are really starting to find themselves. Each had distinctive taste characteristics that will work well with a variety of complementary ingredients, and together as a mix. Some are acidic, bitter and toothy, whereas others are sweet and tender; a few, peppery and crunchy. Something to look forward to. 

Gardens are cool

Radishes

I pulled up the mystery green that was growing with the radishes. I think it was a variety of mustard greens. Where it came from, I have know idea, I'll eat it all the same. I tasted a carrot, not because they're ready, but because some squirrel thought it would be a good place to bury a pecan. It was just laying there, discarded; left to die. There were no bites out of it or anything, just disposed of. Irritating, but nonetheless delicious. It was very small, and pale, with a nice sweet, carrot flavor. Also something to look forward to. 

Spinach

I've been thinning my Lacinato over the past week or so. This thinning should give the plants more room to settle down and spread out, producing longer, dense leaves. I did the same with the plants that could be either, broccoli, brussels sprouts, or cauliflower. I love surprises. The snow peas are looking nice, some of which got some assistance in the way of twine leads for their trellising. I am growing several of these, more for the leaves than the pods. The leaves, when stir-fried, are divine. No lie. My co-worker, Ralf, turned a few of us on to 1St Chinese BBQ, and suggested that we try the snow pea leaves, which are not on the menu. We did, and they are simple, and delicious. Sometimes they don't have them, but they usually do. 

Lettuce

The Lacinato is starting its ascent

I haven't seen our friend Fuligo lately. The conditions for his return must not be right. That's okay though, I know we'll be reunited soon enough. There is plenty of other activity going on in the garden, plenty of insects, and other critters. 

I've been eating some things out of the garden over the past month or so. Mostly green leafy things, like turnip greens, and arugula, but radishes and turnips have mad an appearance on a few plates. These radishes are very nice, and peppery. They'll mellow out as it cools off, but I'm thankful for their heat now. I have more than enough cilantro, and the fennel is coming along very nicely. I've been tempted to cook one of the baby fennel bulbs several times already. They have been warned. 

Fennel

Arugula and fingerling salad with a poached egg. 

Turnips

Once all the leaves fall from the big pecan, the garden will get a bit more of the southern sun, which will help out my beets, which are rather puny. I've never had very good luck with beets. I'm still waiting on my landlord to bring me some lumber. As I've said before, he often takes quite some time to accomplish things.