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winter
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spr ing
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Carrots:
The Long and Short Of It
In my TV dinner
They never were a winner.
But later when I ate them raw
I found myself to be in awe.
In my lunch box, I was six.
They were married to the “cel-ray” sticks.
Later on I learned to juice ‘em
But the pulpy mess was a such a nuisum’.
Some are crooked, some are straight ‘n
some are per fect just for gratin’.
On a salad, in a stew
For a snack I’ll grab a few.
Heirloom shades at farmers market
Really took off like a rocket.
Come in purple, white and yellow
But good ol’ orange’s really mellow.
Bunnies love ‘em, “What’s Up. Doc?”
Anyone will say “they rock”.
It’s said that they’ll improve your sight
And help you when you drive at night.
So much fiber, I’m not bluffin
When you eat them in a muffin.
But best of all is when you bake
‘cause nothing beats a carrot cake.
Ode To A Fava
At first I didn’t botha
to grow the humble fava.
But when I sowed some seeds
they sprouted up like weeds.
The birds use them for nests
and they don’t get any pests.
‘Drink very little water.
They make a lovely border.
Some would think it odd
that I’m smitten with this pod.
To sing its many praises
I could go on for “days-es”.
Good for carbo-mixin’
and also nitro-fixin’
and what a heady bloom
on this generous legume.
them in dark shade but instead, in our area, they do best in bright, filtered
light or morning full sun. The English type sport bright, crayon-colored
blooms while the fairies and obconicas are available in bright, pastel shades.
Winter Veggies
Like winter color, you still have time to put in cool season vegetables.
Beets, carrots, fava beans, lettuce, mesclun, onions, parsnips, peas,
radishes and spinach are some edibles that can still be planted from seed.
Planting seed now will insure a later harvest rather than if you plant from
transplants.
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, parsley,
spinach, and Swiss chard among others can be planted out from starts.
Artichokes, garlic and strawberries are at the nurseries now, too.
These are some tried-and-true ones that I have good luck with. All are
grown in full, winter sun:
Peas –
The climbing type of snow, shelling and snap peas can be
grown on a chain-link fence, stakes, chicken wire frame or you can build
a deluxe cage out of that heavy construction wire with the 6”x 6” squares.
It takes about 7-8 feet of the stuff to make a sturdy tower that doubles as a
great tomato cage for when you switch to warm-season veggies.
Carrots –
Seed in rows throughout the season for a staggered and
continuous harvest. The orange ones seem to be passé. They now come in
yellow, purple and white. Easy to grow and fun to pick and eat right out of
the garden.
Lettuce –
Seed is easy but for a quicker salad, grow from pony or
cell packs, too. Either harvest leaf by leaf or wait for the head varieties to
develop and take the whole thing into the house. Romaine, butter, oak leaf
seeds and dozens of others are at the nursery or can be found online.