The last three years’ gardening has been one disaster after another between constant 110 temps and drought except for freak hail storms and flash floods. I had to replant the garden 3 times, and some things 4 times, last summer so I simply gave up on a fall garden. This year, I’m determined to have enough to stock the freezer and put up. Mother Nature enjoys playing wicked jokes though so I may have opened my mouth too soon. But I have to do whatever it takes to cut the grocery bill even more.
The past couple weeks, I’ve searched every edible plant that can be grown here and am putting together a notebook. I can’t find harvest lengths on the majority so that throws off knowing what can go where and when in a fall garden. I guess I need to make a serious stand against Mother Nature in the spring garden first. The other problem has been our first and last freeze dates are a month off from what “they” claim.
The other day, we dug the random carrots that were left. Nasty things. Garlic is the only thing out there now. We need to get it tilled while the weather is good. Next week is indoor seed starting time.
The freeze did a number on the amaryllis here. They had good mulch so maybe they’ll bounce back. There were a couple daffodils or something poking up but I haven’t checked to see how they faired through the cold. The poor ginger had to stay inside for several days and it didn’t like the central heat but it’s back outside where it likes to be.
A late reply... Online they sell tulle cheap by the bolt. (The stuff, usually white, for wedding veils). I think you can even order it by the bolt from Walmart. Get dark green or black and lay it over your garden. If you have hoops, (we made ours out of electrical conduit pipe), it is easier to secure. Otherwise, lay 2x4, rocks, etc. to hold it in place. The cheapest shade covering I found. It holds up for years.
Deb