Fall Cleanup

Every year a spring prep and a fall clean up day are scheduled at the garden, and, as one gardener put it, being there validates the joy, comradeship and spirit of participating in a community garden.  This morning was our annual fall clean up at the garden, and the weather cooperated with sun and warmth.

Garden clean up day is a great opportunity to share stories, hear about successes and problem plants encountered this year and to plan out next year's crops.  Surprises also pop up as beds are cleaned up - one gardener uncovered a carrot that would have won first prize for size if we offered such a thing!

Another gardener dropped off some donated seeds, among which was lovage, and many questions were asked about what it is and how to use it.  So a quick online search helped to educate us all about lovage - this plant has, in fact, many uses.  The leaves have a celery-like taste with a hint of parsley and anise, and are used as an herb, the roots as a vegetable, and the seeds as a spice.  And its flowers are delicious sprinkled in salad.  However, it does need lots of space, reaching 5-6' tall with a 3' spread.  So while tempting to grow, the confined spaces in the community garden discourage adding it to the beds. 

The garden's manager, Karen, is a great source of knowledge, and I learned from her that I should cut off the tops of brussels sprouts along with the top leaves so that the plant's energy is directed to the maturing sprouts.  As I did this, I wondered if the leaves are edible, as they look quite tasty.  Another online search showed that yes, the leaves can be used much as one uses kale.  One suggestion was to stuff the brussels sprout leaves much as one would stuff cabbage leaves, so that is what I'm going to do.  Using my favorite sweet and sour stuffed cabbage recipe I've got dinner all planned for tomorrow!

 Brussels sprouts before heading

 After heading

There is still a lot of work to do to prepare the garden for next year.  Garlic must be planted, perennials cut back and mulched, asparagus and rhubarb need protecting with layers of hay, and compost has to be added to beds for crops that do better with a fall application of compost:  onions, brassicas, peppers, tomatoes, kale, potatoes and other root vegetables.  The fruit trees need another spray of nutrients, and raised beds need an addition of soil.  So there is another month of enjoying the garden to look forward to, then it is goodnight for the winter, during which garden research and the perusing of seed catalogues will abound!