Common Ground: Rosewood Community Garden Winter Greens 1/11/2009

The lessons from the winter garden have to do with temperature fluxuation, unexpected amounts of rain, and soil drainage. The best performers were the collard seedlings and spinach planted from seed; the broccoli did okay but produced tiny heads (which no one ate for some reason). The lettuce survived the first two intense week-long freezes with attentive covering, but couldn't make it without help through the series of brief two-day 32 degree drops in late November, December, and January. (Ditto for the peas). In the raised beds the cabbages seemed to expire from too much moisture; mulching there should probably be saved for summer heat. The cauliflower and (admittedly leggy) collard seedlings in the (tree-side) corner of the big bed did not survive. They were in a spot notorious for run-off. In part because of that drainage problem the soil is not as good as it is elsewhere. Overall, growers should take note that greens can be had all Fall and Winter long, and for hands-off care collards are the best bet (and so sweet and tender during the season). (Collards need no covering at all unless they are quite young or not well established). Spinach can also be your best friend, but might need to be covered if temperatures get to around 20 degrees or if seedlings are quite young.