Gardeners 'To Do List': Sept

Lots of rain so far. While planting seeds has stopped, harvesting is going to be a full time job this week.

Finally all your hard work has paid off, but not what are you going to do with all this food? Might I suggest you read my post on "Storing Your Extra Food"  Personally I like to dehydrate because to the low energy needed and the long term storage potential.

Time to harvest and eat:

• Lettuce
• Cauliflower
• Sweet Potato
• Tomato
• Eggplants
• Pepper
• Winter Squash
• Summer Squash
• Potatos
• Cucumber
• Melons
• Corn
• Beans

Transplant into the soil (from your starting seeds or bought from a garden store):

• Done for season

Sow seeds into the soil:

• Done for season

Start seeds in doors:

•   Done for season

You still have extra time and want to do more. (where are you getting this free time???)

• How about adding more mulch to your garden beds to help retain moister and prevent weeds?
• How about a hugelkultur garden bed?
• What about adding a automated drip irrigation system?
• How about creating a small green house?

CSA: 8th Box

Here is the 8th box from my CSA (from LotFotl). I went to my pickup point,  Sweet Water Organic's Warehouse to pick up my CSA box this week. It has been awhile sense I cooked with Rutabaga's but I like the recipe of 'cubing and sauteing them' given to me in LotFotl's email.

The box includes the following:

• Kale 
• Tomatoes (16)
• Beans
• Rutabaga (2)
• Shallots (3)
• Potatoes (15)
• Corn (4)
• Brussel sprouts
• Bell peppers (3)
• Eggs (12)

You can check out my CSA price break down here (Frozen Gardener). Getting that Farmers Market itch? check this list of Milwaukee farmers market here (http://milwaukee.about.com/od/sportsrecreationhealth/qt/FarmersMarkets.htm)

CSA: 7th Box

The 7th box from my CSA (from LotFotl). As always I went to Sweet Water Organic's Warehouse to pick up my CSA box this week. Sweet corn was great while camping this labor day weekend. Stay tuned to Steph's Snack Shack as this camping trip had some tasty dinner ideas.

The box includes the following:

• Tomatoes (7)
• Garlic (2)
• Potatoes (16 red and 24 purple)
• Onions (5)
• Green Peppers (4)
• Swiss Chard
• Chives
• Sweet corn (4)
• Eggs

You can check out my CSA price break down here (Frozen Gardener). Getting that Farmers Market itch? check this list of Milwaukee farmers market here (http://milwaukee.about.com/

od/sportsrecreationhealth/qt/

FarmersMarkets.htm)

CSA: 6th Box

The 6th box from my CSA (from LotFotl). I always see the box as half full, and I am constantly impressed on the amount of food given the 3 weeks of drought we suffered here in Wisconsin. As always I went to my pickup point,  Sweet Water Organic's Warehouse to pick up my CSA box this week. Love cooking with new items. The Romanesco might be a challenge too cook with this week, but stay tuned to Steph's Snack Shack as she try's this cooking challenge.

The box includes the following:

• Swiss Chard
• Carrots (18)
• Tomatoes (9)
• Garlic (3)
• Potatoes (9)
• Onions (4)
• Romanesco (2)
• Eggs

You can check out my CSA price break down here (Frozen Gardener). Getting that Farmers Market itch? check this list of Milwaukee farmers market here (http://milwaukee.about.com/
od/sportsrecreationhealth/qt/FarmersMarkets.htm)

Gardeners 'To Do List': Aug

It is still hot. While you might not be harvesting this month, remember that tomato season is just around the corner. 

Still hoping for rain. In the mean time you should get organized for planting seeds and being ready to harvest tomatoes next month...unless you like fried green tomatoes.

Time to harvest and eat:

• Onions

Transplant into the soil (from your starting seeds or bought from a garden store):

• Cauliflower

Sow seeds into the soil:

• Lettuce
• Kale
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Beets 
• Carrots

Start seeds in doors:
     None this month




You still have extra time and want to do more.

• How about making plans for better garden water retention for next year?
• More mulch
• More shade
• Hugelkultur garden bed?
• Garden water swales.
• Water your plants with city water? How about removing the chlorine through overnight evaporation?

CSA: 5th Box

The 5th box from my CSA (from LotFotl). I think these boxes are getting bigger... just look at the photo. I am still trying to finish the last of the fennel from the last box. As always I when to my pickup point,  Sweet Water Organic's Warehouse to pick up my CSA box this week. Also found out that Sweet Water Organic is a drop off point for recycling old electronic (BV Curbside). Finally my man cave will get a little cleaner.

The box includes the following:

• Carrots (19)
• Tomatoes (18)
• Garlic (4)
• Potatoes (13)
• Kale
• Onions (3)
• Fennel (3) 
• kohlrabi (3)
• Eggs

You can check out my CSA price break down here (http://frozengardener.blogspot.com/2012/06/csa-first-box.html). Getting that Farmers Market itch? check this list of Milwaukee farmers market here (http://milwaukee.about.com/od/sportsrecreationhealth/qt/FarmersMarkets.htm)

Why you should start a graden

If there was one thing you could do that would:

• Reduces global use of gasoline
• Reduces global use of electricity
• Reduces global use of water/aquifers
• Reduces global use of pesticides/herbicides
• Reduces traffic
• Absorbs CO2
• Increase Oxygen
• Helps wildlife
• Helps the bee population
• Reduces your use of gasoline
• Reduces your stress
• Reduces your yard waste
• Reduces the time you spend mowing the lawn
• Saves you money
• Increases the flavor of your food
• Increases your health
• Increases your vitamin D levels
• Helps your community
• Reduces the cities rain water sewage issues

New gardeners are recommend to start with a 4ft x 4ft to learn the basics and not be overwhelmed. But for those of us addicted to fresh tasting food and making a difference it only gets bigger each year.