Anyone planting veges for fall/winter or is it too late?

I'm always too busy before now to think about planting for a late harvest. Is there anything other spinach and lettuce that will mature before frost? Particularly interested in beets, broccoli, cauliflower.

Thanks!

jburesh - no news about the winter veggies, but I just wanted to say thank you for your discussion of Lasagne planting last autumn - I was so interested in what you were doing (albeit from a doubting thomas perspective - 'what, not double digging?!' I think I said at one point) but what you described has just worked a treat. I am currently building up a supply of cardboard to do another big area in the wild garden - covering it with all of the stuff that I am digging out in a near by area, then grass clippings, and topping it off with some top soil that I have to move (gosh, I'm exhausted just writing it!) But it is a lot better than weeding out the entire area.

Brillant advice - and I still got to do all my digging, just after it all cooked. Thumbs up! Thank you.

thanks laurie! glad to hear it worked for you, It worked pretty well for me except those beds are now taller than the rest of the yard from all the compost and leaves that decomposed. Nice dark soil though! :)

There is a way to deal with the resulting envy from the rest of the garden being "lower":
build more beds & move the existing plants into them when properly aged.
The plants will thank you, although your back will not...

if i build any more beds there will be no more grass at all, and DH won't be happy! :)

Hi jburesh,

Here is a list published in the Organic Gardening Magazine:
Beet variety "Winterkeeper" Mid July through mid August
Broccoli "Purple Sprouting" July
Chard May through July (I planted some in July and some in August)
Collard "Champion" Spring through Mid August
Endive "Neos" Mid-July through Mid August
Kale "Lacinato, Siberian, Winterbor" Mid July through Mid August
Lettuce August through September
Mizuna "Kyoto" August through Mid September
Spinach "Olympia, Tetori" August through Mid September

We're not that far past mid-august, maybe it would be worth a try with the beets? I am thinking it is too late for broccoli and I have never grown cauliflower, so I don't know about that.

Also, come mid October or so you can plant garlic and shallots. I started onions (overwintering) from seed in early August, and they will also be ready for planting in mid-october, but I don't know if anyone sells onion plants in fall, I have never seen them... so starting your own may be the only option.

Good luck with you winter garden. This is my first year to try it!

Boel

JB - snother place to check would be the Territorial Seed Company website. Territorial specializes in short season crops, particularly in the PNW.
Their website is: www.territorial-seed.com
When you get to the main page you will see an area (center to the left)
"winter 2007" varieties.
Click on this and it will take you to the different crops recommended for our area.
Alternatively, you can check out their planting charts, which gives much useful information.
Also - there is always the option of 'baby' vegies.
Let us know what you plant & how that goes. I tend to stick to the cole crops, but have had success with some of the root crops (as babies).
Oh and btw - I completely understand the lawn situation - but I am still driven to carve away little by little... :0)
Has there been any interest in plant swapping on the PNW forum? Curious...

Katye - really made me laugh thinking about the plant's envy - all those little murmurings about "okay guys, now this is the plan, I've hidden her spade in amongst the tall grasses - tonight when she goes in....." - a whole new meaning to 'break for the border'! Excellent.

Laurie - when you see all those established beauties leaning towards the new bed & away from the sun - you just know the longing has begun, and envy is not far behind.
Status amongst plants is often a result of tenure & an attitude of entitlement.
Of course, one should avoid consulting the Lilies - they always think they are deserving of the premiere site: up front & in your face. (hmmm...where they should be...?)
I need only refer you to Through the Looking Glass: Lewis Carroll had it right all along.

Ahhh, Lilies. Too true.

But I am so glad to find yet another one who does those lovely mad (as a hatter?) inanimate conversations. One wonders how anyone gets any peace in the garden - all that chat chat chat.

So, I went to my closest nursery and they had broccoli plants, as well as mustard, lettuce, spinach, and bright lights chard. I planted green beans, bok choy, lettuce, and spinach from seed over a week ago and other than the carrots all are sprouting. This week I planted snap peas, cauliflower (early winter variety), beets, and more spinach.

We'll see what I can harvest by frost.... :)

JB - were you looking for Miscanthus Goldbar? I cnnot remember which thread it was mentioned. In any case - I believe I had offered Squak Mtn Nursery as a source. I picked one up Saturday, they had several left. Many requests. Also - there is a grass seminar on Saturday Sept 1 (I can't believe another month is slipping through our grasp...), if anyone is interested.
Vegies - I am planting out the usual fare (beets, cabbages, lettuce.) Snap peas? Is there enough time...?
I did carrots last year & some of the the seed overwintered, for an early carrot harvest. I did have carrots in November, too! Not as tasty though.

These snap peas matured in about 60 days, same as the beets so I figured I'd try it and see. The farmer's almanac says average frost date is Nov. 11. So there should be enough time. I'll find out!!

The miscanthus goldbar pic I saw you post is spectacular! Is the grass seminar at squak mt? I've never been there. That would give me a good excuse to go. THough the other day my DH said "you have enough plants now". I'm pretty sure that he's mistaken on that one. :)

Yes, the seminar is at Squak Mtn Nursery at 10 am, and is located right off SR 900, close to Issaquah.
The picture I posted was of Miscanthus 'Rigoletto': cream & green variegation.
Pixy had posted earlier this summer - July??? about finding M. Goldbar, (green with yellow horizontal banding) but said it was hard to find. I believe she included a couple mail order places that have it. I was surprised that it was available locally - even Wells Medina did not have it (yet).
As far as the comment from DH - I would require a definition of what's "enough". Mine gave up years ago. Not a convert, but definately more tolerant. As I am the Staff of One here, I get to call the shots, since I do 100% of the work.
Sometimes, they just have to see the results of what we do in order to appreciate the work that goes into it. I know many gardeners that have a difficult time seeing past the juvenile stages of a newly planted area, so I don't expect a lot from anyone who does not engage in this activity. This is another good reason to have before & after pictures, so those who forget/did not pay attention can be reminded!

On the business of "Gold Bar" - I just found it in the nursery section of our local TOP/Haggen grocery store. $6.99 for a healthy looking plant. I also bought another M. S. zebrinus - and it is interesting to see them side by side.

Good price - they are asking twice that for 3' pots, online. And the grocery stores in my area charge more than the nursuries!

My understanding is that Goldbar matures to approx. 5' X 2'.
Zebrinus is much taller & wider.
But if you have the room, Zebrinus is a spectacular sight, and provides a great backdrop for many plants.
Note - pot size is 3 inch, not 3 foot!

This message was edited Aug 28, 2007 6:46 PM

Thanks, Katye, for affirming my "good price" impression. I have the zebra grass - several, in fact - so I am aware of growth habit etc. Yes - I have LOTS of space - acres - and I have become very enamored over the years w/ the grasses - the bigger, the better. Arundo donax has found favor w/ me, even though I know that it is an invasive waterway monster in warmer climates.

I like them for lots of reasons - but one in particular is they can take abuse from a rapidly wagging large dog tail!

I appreciate the soft look they give, plus movement. Easy maintenance & the seedheads in fall/winter.

I did not realize that Arundo grows here. I remember it growing huge in Hawaii when I lived there.
I can't imagine it being invasive here in the PNW.
How did it handle the weather last winter?
Since grasses have become more popular, the prices have skyrocketed.
I guess that shouldn't come as a surprise!

The Arundo comes up from the ground each spring. Some ragged looking stalks may survive and produce more greens, but it really is best to let it all come up new and to cut back the old stalks in early spring.

I don't remember what I paid for it - 5 years ago.