Freezing, Frying and Flying

See Photos at bottom

We can talk about the weather with anyone in nearly anyplace around the world (providing they speak your language…if not, sign language will work). Nearly every region has a line that goes something like this: “If you don’t like the weather in (any location) just wait a while and it’ll change.” West Texas is one of the most changeable. I’ve seen a dust storm, converted to falling mud by rain, beaten into mush by pounding hail and covered by a snow blizzard…all in one day!

The last few days have been notable (understatement). Monday, the high temperature was a sizzling 93F (34C) followed by a nocturnal freeze 27F (-3C). Today we have tree-toppling high winds. To top it all off, we are in a serious drought. Certainly hasn’t been boring!

For the freeze, emergency measures were called for. Fourteen tender new tomato plants were gently set out just days ago. I slid a brown paper sack over each one and slopped dirt on the edges to anchor them in place in hopes of warding-off the frost. Thankfully, it worked.

After frying and freezing, today things were flying. Grit and grime from New Mexico has tinted the parched wind a light brown and toppled the mesquite next door on to our power lines. It was shocking! Currently, the damage is limited to a severely smashed chain link fence. Number 1 took off from work and helped me chainsaw it free (I think he enjoyed the break). Power is out all over our town and the countryside is filled with brush fires. Other than that everything is OK.

Mowing down Hairy Vetch & Rye in future Tomato Bed

Paper sacks in place ready for frost

The morning after...safe and unfrozen

Danger! Mesquite over power lines!

Another electrifying view

The Asparagus Lesson

Most of what one needs to know to grow the luscious, luxurious spears of Asparagus in Texas can be found here. I agree with nearly everything except the use of chemical fertilizers and the advice to contact your county agent about insects and diseases since that person will probably recommend some chemical pesticide. We organic hippie-types believe that healthy vegetables are resistant to insects and diseases.

Growing Asparagus in West Texas (or anywhere else, really) is not easy (especially initially) for several reasons.

First, as you will notice from the site I gave you and the pictures that I graciously provided that one has to do a lot of digging. Do it now, because the older one gets, the more challenging it is to dig the trenches and descend into their depths to plant the crowns. It is, however, excellent exercise.

Second, one needs to properly amend the soil. I used my trusty cement mixer to add compost, Texas Greensand, a few handfuls of bone meal, and some blood meal (some sweat got in there as well). Expend the time and trouble because those plants will be around for the next fifteen to twenty years (unless you fail them in some way…more about that later).

Third, it apparently likes soil that is a little more acid than my alkaline soil and water. I deduced that from the chlorosis (yellowing of the fern-like leaves) that characterized my first planting. So, I work pretty hard (you’ll just have to trust me here) to increase acidity using cottonseed meal and adding Texas Greensand every other year or so. I also inoculate the roots with mychorrizae. We’ve had pretty good results at Charamon Garden but we have also learned some hard lessons.

Fourth: Asparagus likes frequent, deep watering. Our area is semi-arid so having a reliable source of water is crucial because, friends, it don’t rain much here. And here is where I failed last year. Part of the bed didn’t get enough water and the Asparagus, predictably, bit the dust…literally. I had to dig a new trench (short furrow in the picture) and replant.

Fifth: Asparagus requires an investment in time. If you are planning on moving frequently, don’t bother because it takes three years before the first harvest. So, for my new plantings, another three years to full harvesting capacity. I guess I deserve it.

Sixth: Our winters here tend to be on the mild side, but Asparagus likes them cold. My plants don’t die back naturally until winter is nearly over. So, they must be snipped off at ground level by the end of November. This allows one to begin adding compost and other amendments to insure health by March when new sprouts make their appearance.

Seventh: Bermuda grass is the enemy. Don’t let it get into your Asparagus! After it does, it is nearly impossible to control. It stealthily weaves its despicable and evil rhizomes and tendrils through the Asparagus and slooowly begins to CHOKE it! Aauugh! I know because it has tried to infest and possess my Asparagus bed. But I shall PREVAIL by dutifully pulling and digging out all of this foul demon contagion I can during the winter. Be vigilant my friends…be vigilant.

We savor tender, flavorful, fresh Asparagus sufficiently to suffer. The long trench in the picture is to fill the bed which the first planting didn’t quite accomplish. We may be gluttons for punishment, but we are also gluttons for Asparagus.

In the meantime, eat your veggies…Nonnie and Pop said so!

(top photo: Asparagus in the garden at Dirtpatch)

Garden Report for December 2008

Winter has arrived in West Texas. So far, it is a dry one with no rain for more than 50 days! I am thankful to have a good well even if the water is a bit silty and hard. The vegetables don’t seem to mind.

We are still going strong with lots of Swiss Chard (Silverbeet), Kale, Collards, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots and Lettuce coming right along. We also have begun harvesting Sunchokes (Jerusalem Artichokes). We have cover crops of Austrian Winter Peas and Hairy Vetch growing well.

Charamon Garden has made its first venture into the market selling our greens and the last of the Eggplants.  We appeared at the market for three Saturdays but now, with the onset of cold weather, production has slowed to the point where there is not enough surplus to sell.

The market is something that has to be planned for…so…I will do better planning as spring approaches.

Garlic Harvest

Well, fellow-gardeners, this is what it’s all about! This is why we work to build the soil. This is why we pull the weeds: harvest!

For some unknown reason, my article, “The Garlic Lesson,” posted back in October has been the most popular of all my garden posts with some 868 on-site readers to date (big numbers for me) and growing in popularity. That lesson has served me well and produced a bountiful crop. This picture shows a small portion of it.

For the last two days, I have been digging up the garlic and man, is it beautiful! Of course there are some scrawny ones, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a healthier bunch of garlic heads. You know garlic is ready to harvest when the outer leaves turn yellow and some of it starts to lean over as you can see in this picture. Here in the wilds of West Texas, we begin harvest around the end of April.

I carefully dug up each bulb and placed it in a bucket of water for cleaning purposes. I have tried curing it both ways: unwashed and washed and I can’t tell any difference in quality or storage length. It just looks better washed and the wife likes it that way too.

Soon we will hang bunches of garlic in the storage shed for drying and curing. I have saved the biggest and best heads for seed. We hope to double our production in 2009.

In the meantime, eat your veggies…Nonnie and Pop said so!

Freeze Predicted!

Dad told me so. He said, “If you hear thunder in February, there’ll be a freeze in April.”   Well, he may be  right. We did hear thunder in February and a frost is predicted for Friday night.  We thought we were safe down here in zone 7b. The tomatoes have been set out and caged. The potatoes are sprouting. Fruit has set on the peach and plum trees. Tiny little figs have appeared on both trees (more like bushes). It’s been a rather coolish spring but another freeze? Egads!

Another piece of fiction is the “Mesquite Tree” theory.  Local wisdom has it that when the mesquite trees begin to leaf out, the danger of frost is past.  I have seen this one fail also.

That’s West Texas for you. We are far enough south to have some balmy spring days but subject to cold fronts roaring out of Canada and down the plains. That’s because it’s all land between here and the Arctic Circle. If we had an ocean between us and the arctic, it would moderate the weather and we’d be growing citrus and relaxing under palm trees.

Thankfully, we have tomato plants in pots should our worst fears be realized. We will move them inside right before the scheduled freeze. It remains to be seen, however, (1) if the forecasters are right and (2) what will survive the frost.

In the meantime, eat your veggies (if they survive the frost)…Nonnie and Pop said so.