Year Long Growing Season, Almost...

Last year I was a little skeptical when reading about row covers and how they can help extend the growing season, especially in the south where we have mild winters. But my curiousity got the best of me and I went for it and bought a 200' roll. We started using the row covers in the spring and it enable me to start our potatoes earlier. OK, not bad.

Well, again in the fall, Nicole and I covered most of the beds. We had brocoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, mustard, collards, lettuce, chard, garlic and oh yeah cilantro from the summer. Very impressed at the outcome, so far.  A few days ago, after a 24 degree morning, Nicole went out and pulled cilantro, lettuce, broccoli and mustard out of the garden. WOW! Not bad for late December.

Well, Saturday night/Sunday morning I think we found the limit on the row covers we have. 17 Degrees and the lettuce is all but gone as well as the cilantro.  Not sure about the broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts and the rest of the Brassicas family, but we will see in the coming days.

So, the good news is, we have extended our season at least until the new year. Now it's time for planning the 2010 crop and getting the rest of our seeds ordered.

Quote:

"Bear in mind, if you are going to amount to anything, that your success does not depend upon the brilliancy and the impetuosity with which you take hold, but upon the ever lasting and sanctified buldoggedness with which you hang on after you have taken hold."


~ Dr. A. B. Meldrum