((Serious Gardening))

[Carols Clucks]

We are in Santa Barbara. It has been a cooler summer, but we hit the mid 70's to 80's most summer days

 

[Kassaundra]

Our winters get below freezing during the night often and can count on a couple of weeks of snow and ice when even the day temps don't get above freezing, but the next day it can be 70! Our weather is extremely changable on a dime. If we had to heat a green house through the winter I think it would be cost prohibative. Not to mention our spring hail..

 

[Carols Clucks]

Better late than never right.....

Finally got most of the fall veggies in today

 

[Kassaundra]

I am sooooo envious, you can still plant in Nov!!!!!! (at least as good as ) I will be planting tomorrow too, but kale (already started, came across a few started plants at a local grocery store)

 

[galanie]

When I was a kid, my folks would cut the stalk off the banana plant and hang it somewhere to ripen. I don't know if that's because they ripen faster off the plant or what, but it sounds like that might be the case.

I finally found something that grows in our heat and really does taste like spinach! Spinach doesn't do all that well here so I have been on a quest to find a good replacement since spinach is really about the only green I'll eat. I'll eat lettuce too but I really like spinach better, even using the raw leaves as lettuce substitute, yum! Anyhow, I ordered from a company that sells Asian seeds. They have an Asian spinach called "Indian Spinach Beet" that I ordered and I was eating tasty leaves when the temps were in the 100's! Now our nights are in the 40's and days in the 70's (which really is a little cooler than normal for this time of year) and they are growing even better! I just pick however much I need and let them grow:

Yes, all my greens are in a chicken and squirrel proof cage.

 

[Kassaundra]

Thanks for the greens recomendation, we like more mild greens to it has been hard to find a heat tolerant one that has a mild flavor.

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
I was doing some research about the indian spinace beet and found this thought you might be interested.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/asianveg/msg0623295426421.html

 

[galanie]

Quote:
I was doing some research about the indian spinace beet and found this thought you might be interested.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/asianveg/msg0623295426421.html

Strange that they say it didn't grow quickly and bolted fast. That is the exact opposite of my experience with them. But they planted theirs in the spring/early summer and I planted mine in July and September. That might be the secret, don't know. I do know they grew fast, and I did harvest some in the 30 days they say it takes to harvest. Must be day length that causes them to start growing slowly then bolt, i.e. planting them when the days are about to get shorter, rather than longer, is more successful. I do love these things! As you saw in the picture, even after a lot of harvesting they are going strong and not anywhere near bolting. It'll be interesting to see if they overwinter and when they do bolt. I plan to plant again in the spring, even if these do make it. As they age, the leaves tend to get smaller overall if you don't keep them picked heavily.

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
I was doing some research about the indian spinace beet and found this thought you might be interested.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/asianveg/msg0623295426421.html

Strange that they say it didn't grow quickly and bolted fast. That is the exact opposite of my experience with them. But they planted theirs in the spring/early summer and I planted mine in July and September. That might be the secret, don't know. I do know they grew fast, and I did harvest some in the 30 days they say it takes to harvest. Must be day length that causes them to start growing slowly then bolt, i.e. planting them when the days are about to get shorter, rather than longer, is more successful. I do love these things! As you saw in the picture, even after a lot of harvesting they are going strong and not anywhere near bolting. It'll be interesting to see if they overwinter and when they do bolt. I plan to plant again in the spring, even if these do make it. As they age, the leaves tend to get smaller overall if you don't keep them picked heavily.

Good to know I am forever looking for a mild tasting green (especailly for salads) that can take the heat!!!!

 

[galanie]

You bet. I'm always envious of those further up north that can grow all those wonderful things while we're struggling with 100 degree weather and looking at mostly dead everything. It was so NICE to see something green and thriving during the horrendous summer we had. Of course I had to keep it watered but it's only a 4x4 patch so didn't cost an arm and a leg to keep going. Lots of organic matter, compost, etc. in that bed. Fed them twice so far with fish emulsion. I am leery of using my normal chicken poo tea on greens.