October 23-27

We got our first killing frost last night -- down to 28degrees. All the summer plants are just wilted greens now! So, unfortunately, no more basil, etc.

We installed a frost blanket on yesterday over as much as it would reach (it's a 15'x50' blanket that protects cold-tolerant plants down to 27degrees or so). Since it's just a long strip, some things were still outside of it, due to poor planning on my part for not lining up everything for this season. Still have some lettuce (maybe a bag or two), spicy greens, some swiss chard. Look for some more head lettuce in the next week or two, as well as the first Chinese cabbage (a lettucy type; I'll include a picture link). I also have some young carrots that survived, but it'll be a while yet before they are ready.


Greens
1.00 - Red Giant mustard greens
1.00 - Swiss chard
1.75 - bag of spicy salad greens (2-3 bags available)
1.75 - bag of lettuce greens (1 or 2 bags available)

October 24-28

Wow, we've gotten over an inch of rain in the last week! The cover crops are loving it, coming up strong, and pretty evenly. That area will be where we'll plant everything next year.

My parents-in-law, Ron and Johan, were here this last weekend to help put install some new windows in the house, and I got some wonderful company and help from Johan planting out some lettuce and brussel sprout transplants! Still have a few cabbages and collards waiting to plant. And I need to set up my row cover/frost blanket this week, in case the cold ever does actually come (hate to jinx this nice weather, but better to admit it may come and be ready for it.)

Market notes: This is the last Thursday market in Flat Rock, and there's going to be a big shin-dig down behind the rainbow row of shops (The Wrinkled Egg, etc)! Still don't know what I'll dress up as yet.

Squash
0.75/lb - butternut

Eggplant and Peppers
1.00 - four sweet banana peppers
1.00 - half-dozen hot peppers: your choice: cayenne, habanero
1.00/lb - eggplant, lavendar touch (pale pink skin color)

Herbs and Greens
1.00 - basil: your choice, sweet or bush minnette
1.00 - Red Giant mustard greens: excellent sauteed and put over rice, roast, etc., or as a separate dish
1.00 - Swiss chard
2.00 - grean leaf lettuce

October 16-20

Well, we had a great vacation, and it looks like it rained while we were gone, which was really good--that and the cooler weather got the cover crops to germinate and has finally got the lettuce and greens going again. Unfortunately, it's taken till today (wed) to get back to the computer.

Market Notes: For those of you in Hendersonville, next week is the last Flat Rock market (thursday, 4-6 pm). It's going to be a big celebration, with music, and all. Everyone is supposed to dress up...I don't know what I'll be yet...we'll see!

Squash
0.75/lb - Butternut Squash (just a few left, and a couple with skin blemishes)

Peppers
1.00 - four sweet banana peppers
1.00 - half-dozen hot peppers: your choice: cayenne, habanero

Herbs and Greens
1.00 - basil: your choice, sweet or bush minnette
1.00 - Red Giant mustard greens: excellent sauteed and put over rice, roast, etc., or as a separate dish
1.75 - bag of spicy salad greens
1.75 - bag of salad greens

October 2 - 6

Wow, I can't believe it's already October. We spent the weekend turning under old cover crops in the east end of the garden, where we'll be growing vegetables next year, and planting new ones, to keep the weeds out over the winter. Also planted a good number of baby blueberry bushes -- we'll have about 50 planted by the end of the fall. We are looking foward to their production for the market and our own table!!!

Things are looking pretty slim for the summer crops as the nights get cooler--down to about 40F at night now. Some of the salad greens are finally starting to come along.

P.S. I won't be posting or attending the markets next week, as we'll be out of town. I'm hoping for some rain then since I won't be here to water things!

Squash
0.75/lb - Butternut Squash

Peppers
0.50 ea - bell peppers
1.00 - four sweet banana peppers
1.00 - half-dozen hot peppers: your choice: cayenne, habanero

Herbs and Greens
1.00 - basil: your choice, sweet or bush minnette
1.00 - Red Giant mustard greens: excellent sauteed and put over rice, roast, etc., or as a separate dish
1.00 - spicy salad greens