Optimism

The cold frame was steamy in today's full sun. The trowel that had been standing up in the frozen soil all winter turned the soil easily and it was warm to the touch of cold hands.

Even though we still have 5-6 inches of snow covering the back yard, and we are forecasted to get 3-4 more tonight and tomorrow...

I planted a row of arugula and a row of romaine, seeds that were easy to find near the top of my seed box.

What's the worst that could happen?

Gleaning in November

I never would have guessed that I could be picking the last of the fresh raspberries in mid-November. Two light frosts and they are as sweet as they were in September!

And look what came home from our walk! Pears. Of the ground but barely bruised. We will see if they ripen. Pears are quite possibly Willa's favorite food.

Echinacea

The two buckets of echinacea purchased last year were a great investment. I'm delighted!

Blackberries

Two years ago a blackberry cane appeared on the far side of our front yard. By last year the canes had multiplied and were worthy of trellising. This year you can't see the trellis.

And today I picked all I need for a great bowl of cereal.

Ames picked plenty for his bowl too!

yard long beans

I grew a mix of pole beans this year. Haven't really eaten any, but they are always beautiful on the garden fence. 

 

okra

8 plants this year. About right for us. I barely have enough to do anything, but I can make an excellent succotash when the corn and tomatoes are coming in, and that's about all I'm after. 

They take up about 1.5 feet x 4 feet of garden space. 
 

edible podded radish

Experimental this year, and quite good! The seed pod is lighter than the root - in flavor, in density... It's juicier, but still very "radish".