Cool (season) Crops

 I used to think the best time of year to garden was summer. But as I have found out in the South, it get’s HOT. They don’t call it “Hotlanta” for nothing.  July and August can be brutal on crops; blight, drought and unyielding heat; it’s a harsh environment. So usually by the time September rolls around I am ready for cooler temps and a garden that grows at a slower pace, needs little water and has far less to no bugs to munch up crops in the blink of an eye. 

 The winter garden brings its own set of challenges. Seeding usually starts mid August and winter crops need to be established before freezing temps drastically slow the  plants metabolism and the sunlight dwindles into December towards the first day of winter. The sun also has a very low orientation in the sky, which lessens its ability to warm the soil. An area that may have been a well-lit spot in summer now only gets 4 hours of sun a day.

 

  I have been growing in my personal garden for 8 years. It has a slight slop to the southeast, so it actually receives a bit more direct sun in winter than if it were on a flatter plain. I have had great success with lettuce the last several seasons and this photo of Red sails is my favorite. It germinates easily, is very tolerant of freezing and becomes darker red as the season progresses. It is completely lime green for the first several weeks of growth, and very tender. I simply cut the outer leaves  as needed, then the whole head when it’s matured in April.  About 20 heads provided me with salad for close to six months last winter, a great investment for a $2.99 packet of seed, the same $2.99 will get you 3 heads of Romane at Kroger! I have also built a “cloche” or small plexiglass cover to cover the lettuces to protect from a hard freeze; it also helps keep off excess rain, and keeps the lettuces much cleaner as the soil doesn’t splash during a hard rain. I think it  is a great reward to grow lettuce. Nothing is as fresh as a salad cut 15 minutes before you enjoy it.