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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

September Garden Plans

 What happened to the last weeks? I realize that it is too late in the month to be talking about what we plan to do in September as the month is nearly over. But just for my records, I'm doing this post anyway. 

(And hoping that it doesn't take me as long to get October's garden planning post up.)


September can be a wonderful gardening month. The weather usually cools, making picking more pleasant than in August but the harvest is often abundant.


We spent Saturday making applesauce. I love the fall aroma of apples cooking on the stove. (The sad part is that we need at least 100 quart of applesauce so this won't be my last applesauce making day this fall.)


The problem with September is that I'm usually burned out. No longer are fresh veggies exciting as in the spring. I've given up the war with the weeds and bugs. Chewed leaves no longer make me angry. "Just eat the old things and see if I care."


But this month did see the end of the major garden preserving and I am slowly finding that I once again enjoy walking out in the garden for a few peppers, handful of green beans, and some red beets. Soon we will be harvesting cabbage and broccoli.


The tomato plants are mostly dead but I haven't pulled them out since we are still enjoying an occasional tomato. And the peppers are still lovely. Not sure what they are living on since I quit watering them.

The garden isn't the lovely sight it was in early summer but the areas we had mulched or planted a cover crop are nearly weed free. It does make me a little sad to think that soon a frost will bring and end to the fresh garden eating.

Here is my list of jobs for September month in my garden.

1. Take each opportunity to enjoy the garden produce – even when enthusiasm is flagging.

2. Plant lettuce, spinach, and kale in the cold frame.




3. As areas of the garden are finished for the season, add compost, lime, mulch or plant a cover crop. In our late corn patch, I just cut down the stalks and let them fall. They will rot down by spring.

4. Save seeds. I only saved tomato and zinnia seeds this year but I hope to learn more about seed saving in the future. Regina shared about saving flowerseeds in a past post. 



5. Since our weather has been very dry, keep watering the fall cabbage and broccoli. Also water the new strawberry patch. In the photo above you can see the strawberries with the soaker hose.This is the greenest part of our garden (and also the weediest.)

Is your garden over? Or are you enjoying a fall garden?

10 comments:

  1. I still have a few cabbages,some onions,and LOTS of tomatoes..at all stages of ripening! They did so well this year. I did 4 or 5 bu. into spaghetti sauce,soup,salsa,ketchup,chili sauce,garden sauce,and just plain canned. I also gave a bu. or so to my daughter and some to my husband's mom. I have a friend who will get some in a day or so. I hate to waste them,so I may do some more of something. I think there may be a frost coming Sunday or Monday,so that may be it for this year. I have enjoyed the slower pace of less canning! You sure are doing alot of applesauce!! I did 3 bu. of apples last week into sauce,pie filling,and apple butter.I love the sign over your stove!! Did you make it?

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    1. Yes, with help from my sister. She has one of those sticker machines and punched out the letters. I stuck them to the board, painted over them, then pealed them off. Super simple.
      Gina

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  2. Hello Gina,

    Yum, homemade applesauce is one of my youngest sons favorites. It is so nice that you live in a climate that is warm enough for a fall garden. Up here in Montana we have only a short 4-5 month window to grow everything.

    Blessings,
    Mrs.B

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    1. Thanks for the reminder that I need to count my blessings.
      Gina

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  3. Hi Gina, I found your blog ages ago and am so pleased that I did. I have used many of your recipes and all are successful. I garden on a smaller scale than you but manage to exchange baked goods for items that others grow. I live a quiet and fairly simple life in Wales and am thankful for every day that dawns.

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  4. Hi Gina,
    I made tomato powder and was wondering how you prevent it from clumping when storing it? Love to see all your posts.

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    1. I store it in the freezer. I keep it on the door so it is easy to pull out as needed. This keeps it from absorbing moisture so it stays dry and clump-free.
      Gina

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  5. I'm making applesauce today. Just a few tomatoes are left, and the peppers are doing great. Temperature was 40 degrees here in Iowa this morning.

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  6. I canned apple pie filling and sliced apples last weekend. So happy to have these additions to my pantry. What kind of apples are you using for the applesauce? Do you have your recipe on the blog and if not do you mind sharing?
    As far as the garden goes, I have a few peas growing and some lettuce, turnips and radishes with a few carrots mixed in. Was hoping for more of a fall/winter garden but time didn't allow. What do you put on your peppers when you plant them or during growing season? They look beautiful! I usually have an abundance of peppers but for the last 2 years mine have done nothing. Was wondering if the ground was missing something. Thanks for the updates!

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    1. I made applesauce with Jonagold apples this year. I often mix several kinds of apples.

      I wrote about how I make applesauce in this post.
      http://homejoys.blogspot.com/2009/10/making-applesauce.html

      I did not do anything special with my peppers this year so was shocked that they grew so well. Maybe you could contact your local extension office and see if they have any recommendations on soil amendments. I do often add lime to my soil, so maybe they like lime.
      Gina

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