the october garden ~ almost done.

 

October really is the month were we begin to take the descent into hibernation mode. Soups and cider begin to be served, fires are frequently lit in the outdoor fire pit, and we begin to layer on the clothing. I love the cozy season. We even had a delicate snowfall last week that made you realize winter can come early. 

I thought I was done harvesting an would put away the scale, but then today (a few days into November) I discovered more eggplant and some forgotten carrots. There is of course the stalwart greens ~ kale, cabbage, swiss chard ~ that just won't stop giving. Well then, I'll keep harvesting and counting until the end of November. This is not a bad thing.

The month of October put us over the 500 pound mark, which is always a goal. If I want to reach any higher, I really need a good amount more of tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, squash and eggplant - the heavy hitters, the ones that store well, too. To grow more I'm not sure my goal even needs to be to expand more growing space, but to use my space that much more wisely with succession planting, trellises and arches.  

November in the garden should find me clearling out the old, harvesting the final remnants and planting garlic. 

Produce Total: 516 pounds  

Strawberries - 20 lbs.

Raspberries - 2 lbs.

Blackberries - 9 lbs.

Kale, Spinach, Endive, Brocoli Rapini, Swiss Chard, Beet Leaves, Japanese Giant Red Mustard, Chinese Cabbage Greens - 101 lbs.
Beets - 4 lbs.
Fingerling Potatoes - 10 lbs.

Norland Red Potatoes - 26 lbs.

Canela Rusett Potatoes - 34 lbs.

Yukon Gold Potatoes- 20 lbs.
Red Inchelium Garlic - 10 lbs.

Carrots - 17 lbs.

Onions - 3 lbs.

Snow Peas - 7 lbs.

Roma Tomatoes - 118 lbs.

Beefsteak Tomatoes - 25 lbs.

Cherry Tomatoes - 13 lb.

Cucumbers - 13 lbs.

Eggplant - 22 lbs.

Squash - 39 lbs.

Green Beans - 21 lbs.

Sweet Peppers - 2 lb.

Other Harvesting
Seeds: Kale, Snow Peas, Poppies, Coriander, Cosmos, Zinnias, Black-eyes Susans

Herbs: Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Mint, Parsley, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Raspberry Leaf, Dill, Cilantro, Basil, Rosemary

Cold Storage: 

Potatoes, Kale, Garlic, Onions

Freezer Storage

Tomatoes, Pickles, Strawberries, Blackberries, Snow Peas, Green Beans, Basil with Olive Oil, Cilantro with Olive Oil, Beet Leaves, Carrots, Squash, Shredded Zucchini