My last harvest of the season.

cheyannarach 10/14/2013, 2:47 pm

I just went and picked the last of the beets to can. Even after the record breaking October blizzard last week they were just fine, now to get to work! I take it back, not quite the last, I still have a couple squares of potatoes to dig up too!

I also need to get my garlic and shallots planted, I just got them last week right before the storm and it has been a wet muddy mess since. I have been waiting for it to dry up a little bit but I don't think it's going to happen and it's been pretty cold. Any pointers, this is my first time fall planting garlic and shallots!?!

**Kelejan** 10/14/2013, 9:56 pm

I fall-planted garlic and shallots for first time last year, they just cleared the surface with their green shoots before the first and snow came. I covered them about two feet deep in shredded leaves and left them to the mercy of -15c winter temeratures and several feet of snow.
They survived very well and I had a good crop this summer. I will be planting some of the larger bulbs this week and expecting larger bulbs next summer. Meanwhile I have enough to see me through the coming months.

cheyannarach 10/16/2013, 12:27 pm

Good to know, thank you! It looks like today is the day, my window to get them planted! I need to find something to cover them with. Maybe pine needles? I have an abundance of those here! Right now I am canning those beets then I will get to planting and dig up the last of my taters Sad

. On a bright note maybe potato soup for dinner drooling

**Turan** 10/16/2013, 12:35 pm

I hope your morning is as beautiful as it is here!
Just go ahead and plant your garlic and shallots. I cover them with old hay but pine needles are reputed to be best. Mine do not sprout before winter hits, maybe I should plant them earlier. I have to pull off the mulch in April to let the beds thaw and warm up.

cheyannarach 10/16/2013, 12:48 pm

Good to know Turan, I didn't know that pine needles were supposed to be the best but I have a lot of them here and even better, they are free! How high to I cover them?

**Turan** 10/16/2013, 9:56 pm

2"-4" - to however deep you want to go. If you are pulling the mulch back in the spring it doesn't really matter. I read that they will grow through pine needles easily, but it is the warming up the soil that matters to me. Garlic, onions and potatoes all like a slightly more acidic environment than other veggies, and pine needles provide that.

landarch 10/16/2013, 11:39 pm

My fall beets have been a total fail...I planted several squares of garlic the other day and the squirrels have absolutely destroyed the Mels Mix in those squares...don't know if they're attracted to it or just looking for freshly disturbed soil for ease of burying acorns...filthy animals.

cheyannarach 10/25/2013, 1:45 pm

Haha, Filthy Animals! I just read that in the Home Alone voice.

My beets were a fail too, but my father in law always gives me his!

**Turan** 12/1/2013, 12:18 am

Today was my last harvest from the garden. I had planted bac choi, beets, and carrots in August when I pulled the garlic. The bac choi was eaten long ago. Today I dug out the carrots and beets. The beets made nice greens and a few root bulbs. The carrots needed a warmer fall I guess. I did find the purple carrots that took so long this spring. They were nice sized by now. I put them in the soup too.

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My last harvest of the season.

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