Greens in Winter (and Purples, Oranges, Reds...)
The sun never sets on the Grange Garden…
Above: Louise Huntingford shows off fall planted carrots now ready for harvesting in November along with one monster carrot that missed being picked in the summer.
The first frost of the year provides our carrots, beets, and celeriac with extra sweetness! It also reminds us of the importance of keeping our beds covered, not only to protect from freezing, but also to protect the soil from the rain’s erosion and compaction.
About half of our ‘cover crops’ have been sown, using Crimson Clover, Austrian Field Peas, and Diana Fava Beans as the main crops. The field peas and fava beans double as edible crops! These will be harvested and/or chopped into the beds before spring crops are planted.
The rhubarb patch has been divided to create another permanent crop bed. We use the ‘lasagna’ method of layering fresh greens and fall leaves, with a layer of dirt on top, and sprinkled with clover seeds. This method will produce a deep, luscious layer of compost in which to plant our crops in the spring. Other permanent crop beds, besides rhubarb, include elephant garlic (grown for winter greens), and late-season strawberries.
Above: Mary Beth Haralovich bunches up green onions to take to the PT Food Bank.
There is plenty of work to do. The Quimper Grange Food Bank Garden is one of the few Food Bank Growers gardens to produce crops throughout the winter for our local food banks. How can we do that? With the help of hardy volunteers, donations of supplies and funds, and our donated hoop houses which extend our growing season enormously.
We really need help in harvesting, washing pots, making lasagna beds, and weeding! Join the team any time Tuesday or Friday afternoons 1:00-3:00 to have fun, learn about growing (food/friendships), gathering (harvest /camaraderie), and giving (food/support to each other). ALL the produce grown at this garden is donated to food banks and other similar entities to enhance food security in our area.
Contact FoodBankGrowers@gmail.com to volunteer at this garden or one near you.
Submitted by: Barbara Tusting, Quimper Grange Garden Manager.
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