Vegetable Demonstration Garden
The past 2 week’s harvests includes:
Red cabbage—11.9 pounds
Mixed greens—2.9 pounds
Rutabaga—9.1 pounds
Brussels sprouts—0.7 pound
Beets—1.4 pounds
Lima beans—1.33 pounds
Tomatoes ripened at home—8.17 pounds
A total of 35.5 pounds of produce was harvested during the past 2 weeks. These vegetables were donated to Heaven’s Harvest Food Bank, the Caring Place and the Round Rock Area Serving Center. This year Williamson county master gardeners have donated a total of 3,822.285 pounds of demonstration garden produce to local charities.
Weekly rainfall: 0.04 inch of rainfall was measured during the period ending 12/31/2016.
Summary of garden activities
The arctic blast took a toll on the vegetable demonstration garden during the week of 12/20/2016. Master gardeners assembled on Tuesday, the 20th, to assess crop damage then worked indoors selecting the 2017 summer seed portfolio. On 12/23/2016, master gardeners took inventory of garden damage in the row garden and in the raised beds. Frozen and dead plants were removed. Raised bed gardeners replaced frozen plants with Romaine Lettuce “Paris”, leaf lettuce “Black Seeded Simpson”, red lettuce, Early White Vienna Kohlrabi, Purple Vienna Kohlrabi and 1 kilo slow bolt Chinese Cabbage. Row cover was removed from row 2. Spinach and lettuce survived the freeze as depicted below.
However, broccoli transplants (left pic) and Swiss chard (right pic) didn’t make it.
Row 10 was planted with Romaine Lettuce “Paris”, leaf lettuce “Black Seeded Simpson” and 1 kilo slow bolt Chinese Cabbage. Rabbit fencing was erected, as illustrated below. The row was hand watered.
Lettuce was planted in the keyhole garden. A test of the entire irrigation system identified one leak, which was repaired. Frozen cabbage and cauliflower plants were removed and chopped into the compost along with other dead plant material. Master gardener Sheila shows off a GIANT rutabaga—WOW!!!
On Tuesday, 12/27, survey and cleanup of frozen and dead plants continued. Kale and cabbage plants were removed and composted. The frozen Swiss chard section of row 3 was replanted with 1 kilo slow bolt Chinese Cabbage, red lettuce and Toy choy. Raised bed gardeners replaced dead plants with parsley, Chinese celery, and 1 kilo slow bolt Chinese Cabbage. Sea Tea was applied to garlic. The middle compost pile was turned into the north bin and cottonseed meal, water, and plant material were added.
General garden cleanup including removing dead plant material filled the last workday of the year. Master gardener Radhika surveys the damage (left pic) and fills a wheelbarrow (right pic).
Whatever plant waste didn’t fit into compost bins went into the dumpster. Compost bins were mixed with the new plant material. Toppled Brussels sprouts plants were staked with T-posts and pepper plant cages-neat idea! Lima bean plants were cleaned off the trellis (image below) in the row garden area.
Irrigation was tested and a few minor repairs were made. Cypress leaves were raked and added to the large pile. Thanks to Master gardener Teresa and her greenhouse for replacement transplants!!
Root Vegetables
So, what do you do with a giant rutabaga, turnips, parsnips, beets and other root veggies on a cold winter day? Try this simple recipe at home. Peel and chop your favorite root vegetables (enough to fill a baking sheet) into 1-1/2 inch chunks. Toss in 6-8 peeled, whole garlic cloves. Mix the veggie chunks with ¼ cup of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of freshly minced rosemary. Line a heavy baking sheet with foil. Spread the veggie chunks out on the baking sheet. Roast in a 425 degree oven for 45 minutes, stirring the veggies halfway through the roast. Salt and pepper to taste. YUM!
Wishing y’all plentiful harvests in 2017 and a Happy New Year!
January Gardening in Central Texas
The Texas A&M Agrilife Extension vegetable garden planting guide suggests the following vegetables for winter planting:
Artichoke (crowns/transplants)
Asian greens (seeds or transplants)
Beets
Broccoli (transplants)
Cabbage (transplants)
Carrots
Cauliflower (transplants)
Swiss chard (seeds or transplants)
Collards (seeds or transplants)
Fava beans
Cool season greens
Kale (seeds or transplants)
Kohlrabi (seeds or transplants)
Leeks (seeds or transplants)
Lettuce (seeds or transplants)
Mustard (seeds or transplants)
Onions, bulbing (transplants)
Peas—English, snap, snow
Potatoes, irish
Spinach (seeds or transplants)
Radish
Turnip
Come visit us!
Our demonstration garden is located beside the Williamson County Extension Office driveway at 3151 SE Inner Loop Road, Georgetown, Texas. Master gardeners are usually at work in the vegetable garden on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 8:30 AM to noon, weather permitting. Anyone is welcome to stop by to see the garden or to ask questions of the master gardeners!
Click here for location on Google Maps