Fall Planting Part I

Last evening, we pulled out the last of the watermelon.  There were still a few melons developing.  There were even some blossoms; but they were past their prime.

Here’s some of the Crimson watermelons in the garbage heap.  They just didn’t have any flavor left in them this late in the season.  Crimson can be recommended for flavorful, round melons that produce well in zone 9.

This morning, I got out there and turned the empty bed to prepare it for fall planting.  I have read that to encourage healthier soil, there should be a minimum of disturbance.  “Hog wash,” I say.  Around here, tractors disc under crops aerating the soil and helping with the health and drainage of the earth.  This isn’t a scientific study or anything, it’s just what I’ve observed farmers practicing here in the San Joaquin Valley.  Nuff said.

The western most bed has been cleared and planted with fall crops.  See the brick wall?  I’m trying to determine what to plant back there.  It’s 60’ long and the planting bed is about 3’ wide.  Camellias?  Wisteria?  Boston Ivy?  Any suggestions are welcome.  I’ll post the progress of planting that bed here whenever I figure it out.

1.  Cabbage  2.  Spinach/Cabbage  3.  Fallow Lettuce  4.  Cauliflower

October 10, 2009

February 6, 2010

The fallowed row will be planted with more spinach once this round has sprouted.  I thought I had broccoli seeds out in the shed; but I couldn’t find any.  Next,  we’ll clear out the cantaloupe to make way for more fall crops.

I’m also looking for a recommendation for garlic in zone 9.  Taste is the driving factor in my choice.  Looks don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that zing!

Please feel free to leave your suggestions for the brick wall planting and your choice for garlic in the comments section.

 

September 12, 2009 -

 

Cabbage sprouts.

Spinach sprouts.

Cauliflower sprouts. Cauliflower harvested on January 31, 2010.

September 13, 2009 -

I decided to plant a row of lettuce rather than another row of spinach.  Half of the row is planted in Romaine and the other half is planted in Iceburg lettuce.

September 17, 2009 -

Romaine sprouts.

Iceburg sprouts.

When I went out to turn the dirt in preparation for broccoli and onions, I noticed that the lettuce had sprout already.  It was only planted 4 days earlier.

October 10, 2009-

Cabbage

Lettuce

Cauliflower

Cabbage harvested (1 head) December 31, 2009.  Some minor freeze damage.