Vegetable Gardening with MaryAnn Armbruster
The weather is getting a little cooler now, perfect for those winter crops. Things are slowing down now with the coming of winter. It’s a great time to clean up debris, clean and repair tools, sort and clean seeds that you collected over the summer and other such maintenance chores. There are a few little tools/tricks that I particularly like. One is a really easy method for oiling my tools. It’s kind of a hassle to always have to get out the oil each time I finish using a tool; to make it easier, I keep a bucket of sand near where I store the tools. I poured oil – virtually any kind will work – over the sand until it’s fully moistened. Then, when I’m finished using a tool, after cleaning it but before putting it away, I just drive it into the sand. It coats the tools thoroughly, and I’m ready to put it away all oiled and protected.
Another thing that I hate is tool handles that either are too slippery or ones that get damaged, making them splinter-y (is that a word?). Anyway, you know what I mean. To deal with these handles, I keep a roll of hockey tape around. The tape is really easy to use, the roll costs less than $5 and it lasts. (I’m guessing at the price because I’m not sure of today’s prices. I bought my roll in California, almost twenty years ago – see - it really does last!)
The third is Velcro. Yes, Velcro - in a roll. You can buy small pieces of Velcro in garden centers for huge prices, or you can go to someplace that sells sewing supplies and get ten yards of a ¼-inch roll for about $10-12. I use it for tying up plants mostly, but I’ve also used it to repair fences and hold up trellises. It’s tough and it lasts, too. I’ve had it functioning in the weather for well over a year. The color fades, but the product is still there, little hooks holding on to little loops, holding together whatever I put it on. Anyway, give those a try and let me know what you think of them.
Even if you did not ask, the answer is: Yes, you can plant in December. If you hurry, you can plant radishes and garlic through the first of the month, then you can plant mustard, spinach, shallots and turnips all month long. Wait until mid-December to plant English or sugar snap peas, and onions and leeks (from sets only, it’s too late for seeds). The varieties of mustard greens that are recommended for our area are Florida Broadleaf, Greenwave, Red Giant, Southern Giant Curled, Savannah and Tendergreen.
If you planted beets, carrots, radishes, turnips, rutabaga, kohlrabi or lettuces last month it’s time to fertilize (3 to 4 weeks after planting). Use 4 to 5 pounds of 8-24-24 or 6 to 7 pounds of 8-8-8 fertilizer to side dress them. Remember that your garlic, onions and shallots need to be side dressed with 3 to 4 pounds of 8-24-24 or 4 to 5 pounds of 8-8-8. Remember, these recommendations are per 100 foot row.
I hope you’re enjoying the rain we’re having now – and that it doesn’t get carried away and cause flooding – I know the plants are. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I wish you all a safe, peaceful and blessed Christmas. See you next year.
Until then, good gardening!
The weather is getting a little cooler now, perfect for those winter crops. Things are slowing down now with the coming of winter. It’s a great time to clean up debris, clean and repair tools, sort and clean seeds that you collected over the summer and other such maintenance chores. There are a few little tools/tricks that I particularly like. One is a really easy method for oiling my tools. It’s kind of a hassle to always have to get out the oil each time I finish using a tool; to make it easier, I keep a bucket of sand near where I store the tools. I poured oil – virtually any kind will work – over the sand until it’s fully moistened. Then, when I’m finished using a tool, after cleaning it but before putting it away, I just drive it into the sand. It coats the tools thoroughly, and I’m ready to put it away all oiled and protected.
Another thing that I hate is tool handles that either are too slippery or ones that get damaged, making them splinter-y (is that a word?). Anyway, you know what I mean. To deal with these handles, I keep a roll of hockey tape around. The tape is really easy to use, the roll costs less than $5 and it lasts. (I’m guessing at the price because I’m not sure of today’s prices. I bought my roll in California, almost twenty years ago – see - it really does last!)
The third is Velcro. Yes, Velcro - in a roll. You can buy small pieces of Velcro in garden centers for huge prices, or you can go to someplace that sells sewing supplies and get ten yards of a ¼-inch roll for about $10-12. I use it for tying up plants mostly, but I’ve also used it to repair fences and hold up trellises. It’s tough and it lasts, too. I’ve had it functioning in the weather for well over a year. The color fades, but the product is still there, little hooks holding on to little loops, holding together whatever I put it on. Anyway, give those a try and let me know what you think of them.
Even if you did not ask, the answer is: Yes, you can plant in December. If you hurry, you can plant radishes and garlic through the first of the month, then you can plant mustard, spinach, shallots and turnips all month long. Wait until mid-December to plant English or sugar snap peas, and onions and leeks (from sets only, it’s too late for seeds). The varieties of mustard greens that are recommended for our area are Florida Broadleaf, Greenwave, Red Giant, Southern Giant Curled, Savannah and Tendergreen.
If you planted beets, carrots, radishes, turnips, rutabaga, kohlrabi or lettuces last month it’s time to fertilize (3 to 4 weeks after planting). Use 4 to 5 pounds of 8-24-24 or 6 to 7 pounds of 8-8-8 fertilizer to side dress them. Remember that your garlic, onions and shallots need to be side dressed with 3 to 4 pounds of 8-24-24 or 4 to 5 pounds of 8-8-8. Remember, these recommendations are per 100 foot row.
I hope you’re enjoying the rain we’re having now – and that it doesn’t get carried away and cause flooding – I know the plants are. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I wish you all a safe, peaceful and blessed Christmas. See you next year.
Until then, good gardening!
MaryAnn Armbruster, Ph.D.
MaryAnn Armbruster, Ph.D. is a certified Advanced Master Gardener and member of the Lafayette Parish Master Gardeners.
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