Month: November 2016

Carrots in November
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Carrots in November

 

Harvesting carrots in November that are this beautiful is very unusual.

Harvesting carrots in November that are this beautiful is very unusual.

Carrots in November? Indeed. We have been waiting to harvest the last of the carrots and grabbing a few carrots for supper or eating with our lunches. With the impending weather forecast, we harvested the last for the season. Hard to believe in Minnesota that the Fall weather has been so pleasant, and November 17 was the final harvest date for carrots.

Garden Science

Unbelievable to see such a beautiful carrot top in mid-November in Minnesota.

Unbelievable to see such beautiful carrot tops in mid-November in Minnesota. According to the U.S. Climate Data the average highs are 41 degrees Fahrenheit and average lows are 26 degrees Fahrenheit. Check out this blog from the University of Minnesota and learn how we have had above average temperatures. When it is below freezing, carrot tops will freeze and die.

These carrots were harvested today before the ground froze and froze the carrots in the ground. The winter weather seems to be finally creeping in on us with 18 degree weather in the forcast.

These carrots were harvested today before the ground froze and the carrots froze in the ground. The winter weather seems to be finally creeping in on us with 18 degree weather in the forecast. Learn more about plant hardiness zones. I find it a fun way to discuss weather patterns and differences in growing areas in the U.S.

 

Recipe of the Week

Do you still have some butternut squash that you are trying to figure out how to use? Well, we gave this recipe a try - Butternut Bacon Soup. I froze what we didn't use in a large cupcake tin, popped the frozen soups out of the cupcake tin and stored in a Ziploc bag. Now I just need to thaw it out in the microwave on a cold winter day. Super easy to bring to work as well. http://damndelicious.net/2014/12/10/roasted-butternut-squash-bacon-soup/

Do you still have some butternut squash that you are trying to figure out how to use? Well, we gave this recipe a try – Butternut Bacon Soup. I froze what we didn’t use in a large cupcake tin, popped the frozen soups out of the cupcake tin and stored in a Ziploc bag. Now, I just need to thaw it out in the microwave on a cold winter day. Super easy to bring to work as well and a great way to enjoy garden produce.

Wrapping up Fall Work
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Wrapping up Fall Work

Wrapping up the Fall work was a bit more challenging with the rain, but we are happy to report that it is completed!

The harvest is complete, and we are so thankful for the bounty.

The harvest is complete, and we are so thankful for the bounty.

We mowed as much of the plants as possible so that they could decay and add nutrients back into the field.

We mowed as much of the vines as possible before receiving a 5 inch rain.

We mowed the plants so they would decay and add nutrients back into the soil.

We mowed the plants so they would decay and add nutrients back into the soil.

We then worked the ground, seeded it with a ryegrass cover crop, dragged and packed the soil. Thank you to our neighbors the Peterson and Beckman families for their assistance in accomplishing these tasks.

We then worked the ground, seeded it with a ryegrass cover crop, dragged and packed the soil. Thank you to our neighbors the Peterson and Beckman families for their assistance in accomplishing these tasks.

After the tillage was done, we planted three types of garlic for next season.

After the tillage was done, we planted three types of garlic for next season. Yes, this is what we do on Friday nights for entertainment by the light of a beautiful full moon.

We were happy to work with the local food shelf and donate some produce including peppers, potatoes, squash and beets.

We were happy to work with the local food shelf and donate some produce including peppers, potatoes, squash and beets.

We have also been selling the pink pumpkins with proceeds to assist those with breast cancer. Some are at the local hospital's breast cancer center since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and another was given to a local teacher by her class as a way to thank her as she fought this challenging fight.

We have also been selling the pink pumpkins with proceeds to assist those with breast cancer. Some of the pumpkins are at the local hospital’s breast cancer center since October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All recipients of the pumpkins seem to have a touching story. Our goal with this project is to bring hope to others.