Fenton Friday: Brassica Breakthrough

 

The Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Brussels Sprouts are now growing so large that they have lifted up the pins holding down the cover cloth. Maybe that is my sign to remove it? But I'll keep it draped over for now.

Last week, I reported that the Lettuce seeds still had not germinated so this week we planted Spinach (embedded in a seed tape) in their place. Two days later I arrived the find the seed tape dug up and in shreds. So, I'm putting 2 + 2 together and thinking that equals rats, which unfortunately are a fact of life at our urban community garden. I suspect they ate all the lettuce seed and they also went after the spinach seeds. I'm going to just cover that area with straw for the winter and re-think what I'll plant their next spring.

The seedlings for Radish 'Cherry Belle' are getting big and need thinning asap. The seeds of the  Radish 'Round Black Spanish' and the Carrots we planted at the same time are still not really in evidence, but I'll give them a few more weeks.

We pulled out the Tomato vines and I'll soon yank out the last of the Peppers, Zucchini, and Eggplant. We are required to have our summer crops cleared out by November 1, but it seems such a shame this year as we are having such a mild fall and will be in the 80s for Halloween this year they predict! 

The thornless Blackberries are all producing and are sending out lots of new growth. I'm torn on best timing to cut those back hard -- before or after winter? Your opinions, please.

What are you growing in your edible garden this week?

About Fenton Friday: Every Friday during the growing season, I'll be giving you an update on my community garden plot at the Fenton Street Community Garden just across the street from my house in zone 7 Mid-Atlantic MD/DC border. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 13th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton" into the Search box above (at the top, left on this blog).