Would someone please tell my husband that I really, really need a root cellar? Thank you!
We have one more bucket to bring in but this is what’s left after I’ve canned and frozen all I’m going to can or freeze.
Garden Produce
There are lots of Blue Hubbard Squash and butternut squash in the bucket I have to bring in but I think there are maybe 5 spaghetti squash and 4 pumpkins left in the garden. There’s that one big Georgia Candy Roaster that’s in the kitchen but otherwise, this is what’s left of my garden.
I’m still getting okra and hope to have sweet potatoes in a couple of months. We had quite a few cream peas and Anasazi beans, but the tomatoes, eggplants and peppers were not very productive. Next year, I’m going to plant just a few tomatoes . . probably less than 10 plants, a few jalapeno peppers, spaghetti squash, sugar pumpkins, Georgia Candy Roasters, okra, cucumbers and that’s probably it til we can get the grass burs under control. It’s no fun trying to work with them sticking me, getting stuck in my clothes, my boots, my fingers .. even in the squash and pumpkins.
The garden, even though I wish it had done better, was still worth the effort. It will be well after Christmas before we use up all the pumpkins and squash, and that’s not counting what’s in the freezer and canned.
The really good news is that the bugs have not been horrible this year. There are a few grasshoppers but not many. I might be brave, optimistic or just plain stupid but I’m thinking about trying a fall garden unless we have a massive influx of grasshoppers.
treadlemusic says
Love Hubbard squash!!!!!
pattilynn9 says
Tell Vince y’all need a root cellar that can do double duty as a storm cellar. My father-in-law dug out, then poured floor, steps down, walls etc of concrete years ago and it’s still dry and cool all these years later. They used it ALL the time when the weather looked threatening…you know Spring in Bwd. It’s about half in and half out of the ground with a huge domed top of dirt and grass. Can’t remember how the ceiling was constructed? hummm? One could stand up in it easily, and I remember seeing at least a dozen ppl in there one night. They had folding cots down there, so they could rest if the storm lasted a long time at night. I remember they had some grow lights too, so they over-wintered pot plants. She had a lot of Aloe Vera in pots. I don’t know if there would be anyone there who does that kind of work nowdays, or if it’s all tiny pre-manufactured stuff. Another thing, tell Vince it would be a great selling point if/when you guys decide to retire and move to MO. haha!
pattilynn9 says
OMG!! LOL – just reread what I wrote. NO, not that kind of POT plants under the grow lights. hahaha! ….yard plants that would die, banana trees (no fruit), elephant ears, aloe vera, etc!
Liz says
I was going to mention a storm cellar, but Pattilynn beat me to it! Never thought of a cellar to overwinter plants, but it makes sense since it should be a consistent temp.
Evelyn/Starfishy says
I think you did a great job with your garden! Better write that list down what to plant next year…where you can find it!
Dianne Smith says
I’ll tell Vince, if you will tell Darrell we NEED one too!!!! I’m thinking we are both in the same boat on this subject!!!