MAGIC OF GARDENING

CELEBRATE THE BOUNTY A FESTIVE FALL HARVEST

BY BETHANY O’REAR

As the cooler nights begin to creep in and the leaves don their autumn hues, there is something magical about this time of year in Alabama. From pumpkin carving and hayrides to county fairs and football games, this cool-weather season also brings a burst of new flavors from the garden – just in time for all of our favorite holidays!

With nature’s palette changing, now is the time we begin to reap the rewards of a late summer/early fall planting. Depending on the variety planted, you may be receiving the first bounty of some fall favorites – cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. These vegetables will continue to produce throughout the fall, even withstanding a light freeze. Broccoli and cauliflower heads (in the case of cauliflower, the head is actually called a curd) should be harvested when they reach 6” or so. For cabbage, mature size at harvest will depend on specific variety. Just be sure to select cabbage heads that are firm, as these will store well in the refrigerator for up to a month or more.

Our favorite leafy greens – collards, kale, Swiss chard and spinach – are ready to be gathered this time of year as well. To prolong your bounty, harvest the outer leaves while the plant continues to grow. Just keep an eye on the weather. Some of these vegetables can withstand a light to medium freeze, while others are a little more vulnerable to sub-freezing temperatures.

Radishes should be poking their heads up in early/ mid-October. They do best in cool weather with plenty of moisture. Under these conditions, they tend to grow rapidly, producing crisp, tender roots. Be sure to harvest them before they become overly mature and bitter.

Carrots and turnips can be left in the garden under a one-foot-deep layer of mulch (to protect against any freeze) and dug as needed all winter. Root crops that are not protected with a layer of mulch should be harvested before the ground freezes.

The symbol of the season – pumpkins – are best harvested on a sunny and dry day, reducing the chances of mold and mildew affecting the fruit. Be sure to pick pumpkins before the first hard frost, as this may damage them and decrease the success of long-term storage. Pumpkins should be handled with care to avoid damaging the skin, stem, and outer rind. The fruit can be stored for 2-3 months if cured and held at 50-55 degrees with good air circulation. Curing involves elevating storage temperatures to 80 to 85 degrees F with 75-80% relative humidity for 10 days. This process heals wounds, helps ripen immature fruit, enhances color, and ensures a longer post-harvest life. After curing, reduce temperature and relative humidity. Make sure your pumpkins are completely mature and free from injury and decay when stored.

Speaking of pumpkins, Halloween is the traditional time to plant garlic, both because conditions tend to be right, and, according to folktales, garlic is a potent vampire repellent! Tuck garlic cloves 2-3” deep in well-drained soil and space 6” apart. The shoots will emerge by Thanksgiving, with bulbs ready to harvest in May or June. If you plant a hard-neck type (versus a soft-neck), don’t forget to harvest the scapes in spring— garlic scapes are incredibly tasty, and picking them will help each plant devote energy into a nice, plump head of garlic, instead of into the flower. Once garlic leaves start to brown, your bulbs are ready to harvest and dry for year-round use. Make garlic planting a Halloween tradition and get ready for some scary good cooking next summer!

While planting garlic cloves in your edible garden around Halloween, keep in mind that late November is the perfect time to also tuck some daffodils into your perennial gardens. These bulbs require a period of exposure to cold before blooming, so planting now allows them ample preparation for their spring show. Try incorporating bulbs into perennial plantings and ornamental borders in clusters of at least ten bulbs each for the greatest visual impact. When layered into a perennial landscape, the bulb display will add early season interest while most perennials remain dormant; as the bulbs fade, the perennials will fill in their space!

It is worth remembering that a little time spent in the garden now will pay dividends over the coming months. Seeds from non-hybrid plants can be saved from the garden for planting next year. Thoroughly dry seeds, label them, and store them in a closed jar in a cool, dry place. Continue to add those falling leaves and yard clippings to your compost piles and freshen up your mulch layer to protect your plants from chilly nights.

As the autumn sun sets on our thriving gardens and the last of the fall vegetables make their way to our kitchens, we are often left with hearts of gratitude and satisfaction. As gardeners we’ve nurtured the earth, and in return, it has nourished us. So, let us cherish these moments, and carry the spirit of gratitude throughout the rest of the year. We may be approaching the quieter season of the garden, but we know it will soon be roaring back to life in no time.