Planting Autumn Gardens ~ For Year Round Food

When we think of gardens, we usually think of warm, sunny days… and lots of space. But, looking at our little piece of earth (pictured above) you can see that the space is small and you will have to trust me when I say the weather wasn't warm. However, when the summer season ends, the planting of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, carrots and beets begin! And so do the savings on your grocery bill!

Garden Jewels by Carla D'Aguanno {photo source}

Would you like to plant a "kitchen garden"? We call it our "kitchen garden" since it's close to the kitchen and makes for easy access to add straight into the cooking pots or salad bowls. There isn't enough here to store via canning, freezing, or drying which makes it low maintenance. This is a perfect project for the beginning gardener as it is nice and small and convenient. 

Our "kitchen garden" used to be a grass section of our backyard. We simply removed some of the existing grass with a garden pick (okay, not too simple as my hubby did have to do that part for me). We added in some extra nutrients into the soil such as old chicken manure and planted seeds directly into the ground. You can also add in some compost (we had just moved in and had nothing of the sort on hand) or you can purchase some nutrients for your garden at your local nursery. We ended up getting excited about this "little" project and added some brick work around it to keep it "contained" and to give it a walk way. All that is left is a need for patience as we wait for the produce. 

What came in first? Lettuce was the winner!  What I did was wash a large batch of our lettuce and placed it inside our salad spinner to remove any excess water. I store my produce in these silver embedded food storage containers because they extend the shelf life significantly. All week long I have lettuce already prepared and ready to use! 

I hope you keep on planting when the heat says good-bye and welcome a different crop of veggies onto your supper table. It's always fresh, free and fit for your family!

"When I go into the garden with a spade, and dig a bed, I feel such an exhilaration and health that I discover that I have been defrauding myself all this time in letting others do for me what I should have done with my own hands."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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