Final harvest today from the 2015 garden

We finished the last of the choi and lettuce last week, so I had to buy lettuce at the market for the first time in several months. I will harvest the last of the kale today and it is time to start thinking seriously about planning for the the coming season. With rain falling yesterday in the heart of winter and temperatures forecast in the 40's for this weekend, the growing season may be coming up very soon indeed.

Second Harvest

Ahead of a winter storm and plunging temperatures, I decided to harvest more kale and lettuce (the photo of the kale was blurry so didn't post). The late planted lettuce yielded more than expected. I have one more large cutting of kale left.

I also managed to double cover the frame that is fully planted with lettuce just as the snow was beginning to fall. I will take a peek during the next thaw, but I expect that this lettuce will provide our earliest spring harvest yet (if I can keep the voles out).

Mid-Winter Shadow Extent

A photo to illustrate the extent of the shadow of the house during mid-winter.

First harvest of the year

We wanted to make a stir fry, so picked the remainder of the mature choi. This leaves some kale and lettuce that might be picked before the early spring garden matures. And the remaining choi, baby lettuce, and parsley will probably be the first things to mature. We will see if the mache sprouts in March. Next year, I expect to have much more available at this time (namely carrots, beets, mache, parsley, lettuce, arugula, kale, and choi).

I have captured one vole so far. I am confident that with regular baitless trapping, I will be able to keep them away from my garden frames.