season

September - Regeneration Time... /  by Artisan Farm Co. - Seattle

September is the month of regeneration for your garden...

The blue skies, summer temperatures, and juice of your tomatoes, are slowly trailing off. But have no fear... The crisp air, also brings crunch of your frost tolerant crops. Lettuce will soon be abundant, and root vegetables will bring your kitchen comfort.

Planting in the fall can bring new life to your garden. This week we will look at the preparation, to bring a regenerative spirit to your bountiful beds.

September.jpg

This September, make sure you are cataloging how your Summer yield was. Jot down some notes about what worked for you this 2014. Also... do not forget to write out what was troublesome for you, to make your 2015 Summer yield, the most fruitful. Weather conditions, plant performance, insect troubles, and your favorite varieties of plants, can be useful when getting ready for next year.

Transplant or Direct Sow (Early in Month)

  • Chard (Varieties)
  • Arugula
  • Rapini
  • Asian Greens
  • Radishes
  • Spinach
  • Lettuces (Varieties)
  • Salad Greens (Varieties)
  • Kohlrabi
Early Crops.jpg
Late September Crops.jpg

Transplant or Direct Sow (Late in Month)

  • Purple Sprouting Broccoli
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Hardy Fava Beans

Preparation, and Maintenance 

As you hit September in the Pacific Northwest, remember these final steps in preparing your garden. Now is a good time to start collecting, drying, labeling, and packaging your favorite seeds from this Summer crops. Mulching beds that will not be used for overwintering crops is a great idea. Checking your compost pile, and making sure you have plenty of microbial activity. And finally, test your soil pH as you get ready for late fall crops, and apply lime as needed. 

Wishing you a happy September, 

- Artisan Farm Company | Seattle

 

Cold Frames - Preparing for Brrrrrr! /  by Artisan Farm Co. - Vancouver

We all want to get the most out of the growing season...

One of the most crucial ways we can squeeze one more harvest out of our veggies, is by using a cold frame. 

Now I know what you are saying. "IT IS JULY!!!" But the most important thing about using cold frames, is being prepared. So we are encouraging all to start building them now, so you can get a few more kale harvests come October/November.  So let us talk about cold frames.

A cold frame is a transparent-roofed enclosure, built low to the ground, used to protect plants from adverse weather, primarily excessive cold or wet. The transparent top admits sunlight and prevents heat escape via convection that would otherwise occur, particularly at night. Essentially, a cold frame functions as a miniature greenhouse to extend the growing season.

How To:

Cold frame construction is a common home or farm building project, although kits and commercial systems are available. A traditional plan makes use of old glass windows: a wooden frame is built, about one to two feet tall, and the window placed on top. The roof is often sloped towards the winter sun to capture more light, and to improve runoff of water, and hinged for easy access. Clear plastic, rigid or sheeting, can be used in place of glass. An electric heating cable, available for this purpose, can be placed in the soil to provide additional heat.

Cold Frames can be made out of any type of material for the frame, and whatever transparent material you can come across for the lid. We like to use old windows. And it is a great way to Up-Cycle old worn out materials. Your frames need not be all alike, though having two of the same size makes it possible to stack them for added height. I like frames I can move around by myself without straining, so size and weight are important considerations.

- Artisan Farm Company | Vancouver