Comments on A Growing Tradition: Welcoming the Winter Garden

hmmm, this method is really better. it works, work...

2011-08-21T03:37:43.517-04:00

hmmm, this method is really better. it works, works fast and good. and it's great, isn't it?? so grreat!

Don't despair on the mache - it seems to have ...

2009-12-03T09:40:32.396-05:00

Don't despair on the mache - it seems to have a poor germination rate (at least that has been my experience) and it is slow to germinate... but so worth it when you have buttery tasting greens in the cold dark days of winter.

I'm thinking that the rosemary probably wont o...

2009-12-03T01:27:18.989-05:00

I'm thinking that the rosemary probably wont over winter but ya never know! Also, I don't think hardneck garlic will send up any greenery till next year will they? I know mine aren't supposed to but then again mine are in z5.

I'm just so jealous of your winter garden! I'm working on my farm business plan tonight dreaming for the day I own a chunk of land.

Thomas, your winter garden is picture perfect!

2009-12-03T01:18:54.937-05:00

Thomas, your winter garden is picture perfect!

Your growing cranberries, that's pretty cool. ...

2009-12-03T01:05:31.070-05:00

Your growing cranberries, that's pretty cool. Last year half my garlic didn't break ground until the snow came and left. The smart ones stay below the ground during winter :-) I planted so late this season who knows what my garlic will do this time. I'm still loving the look of the minutina, must try that next season.

Thanks everyone for you comments. Maybe we can all...

2009-12-02T23:29:49.921-05:00

Thanks everyone for you comments. Maybe we can all agree to pinch some pea plants next spring! Now I feel as though I should have just stored my rosemary plant inside one of my hoophouses...hmmm...maybe I'll build a nifty little shelter.

Thomas, I love the view you have provided us, look...

2009-12-02T13:33:48.370-05:00

Thomas, I love the view you have provided us, looking at your little garden "houses", seeing them from outside your window, and knowing that which is growing inside.

I commend you for extending your season, but I am thankful for a bit of a rest as next month we start seedlings again. Interesting that my body reminds me I'm just not as young as I used to be. ;)

The cranberry's foliage sure is striking. I al...

2009-12-02T12:32:59.522-05:00

The cranberry's foliage sure is striking. I always enjoy the wide shot of your garden. Everything is still so green !
I stumbled upon this page about rosemary which may be of interest.

I've heard the same thing about pinching back ...

2009-12-02T12:05:50.663-05:00

I've heard the same thing about pinching back the pea vines, but have never had the heart to do it! Often times my fall sown peas will pretty much die back during the winter but resprout with multiple stems in the spring, so maybe an initial pruning would be good. Besides, the pea shoots are delicious!

Can't wait to read more about your star fruit, I hope it makes it through it's winter retreat indoors.

I will also add that there are many different type...

2009-12-02T10:51:36.833-05:00

I will also add that there are many different types of rosemary - my prostrate was listed as hardy zone 9-11, which is funny because it is taking over my hedges in zone 7! Rosemary may grow for you if given the right microclimate, lots of sun, and not too wet soil. Looking forward to more gorgeous winter garden pictures!

I've never pinched peas, but I do plant them a...

2009-12-02T08:42:01.422-05:00

I've never pinched peas, but I do plant them a bit earlier. Usually my spring planting dies off in late July and I replant at the same time I rip them up. This year was so off on the timeline, so I don't think anything went according to plan.

I've also never been able to overwinter rosemary and you're even farther north than I.

'Pinching peas' reminded me of when we wer...

2009-12-02T08:17:29.789-05:00

'Pinching peas' reminded me of when we were kids. Daddy used to have us pick his peas and green beans; great long rows of them, too! We soon learned to pick a pea pod, pick a bloom or two. Pick a pea pod....We knew where those pea pods came from!

Your garden looks great!

I think the pea pinching requires a good experimen...

2009-12-02T07:37:48.492-05:00

I think the pea pinching requires a good experiment. Maybe I'll try it too on some of the plants and see how they respond.

BTW I've tried to over winter the "hardy" rosemarys, but have never succeeded. The hardy ones are hardy to zone 7. I'm in zone 6b. I'll wish you good luck, but don't count on an unprotected regular rosemary to live. I tried bringing my rosemary indoors this year. Sadly it died after just three weeks. Rosemary just hates me.

wonderful photos! Your rosemary will love being i...

2009-12-02T07:37:21.613-05:00

wonderful photos! Your rosemary will love being in the ground, I planted several kinds a couple of years ago that size and they are now hedge-like and gorgeous! If you haven't tried it yet, grab some prostrate rosemary too, you will love the way it rambles along the ground and blooms all year long!

You winter garden looks wonderful! I have sowed my...

2009-12-02T02:04:48.134-05:00

You winter garden looks wonderful!
I have sowed my mache too close, I wanted to use all seed that I have and didn’t have enough room... But I don’t think it will be a problem.