So far this year has been one of upheaval. Things however finally seem to be settling down into a pattern which I'll happily call "normal."
We have been blessed, so far, with a mild winter having just a few cold snaps but nothing drastic snow wise. The days are getting longer and with it the feeling that spring will be upon us soon. With the coming of spring I find myself thinking more and more about starting a small container garden to supplement our diet, and the edible landscape that is the long term goal.
Last year we had some small success, but were ravaged by deer, late planting and our inexperience. We learned some things and have hopefully grown from that experience.
The greenhouse that our daughter-in-law wanted to build for herself over the winter fell by the wayside, and not wanting to let the old windows not to go to good use, I decided to pay to have a wood working family member build cold frames for us both.
A cold frame is basically a mini greenhouse. It's protecting the very young plants from the ravages of cold weather, rain, wind and the most fearsome of animals; the dreaded deer.
As it so happens today, February 9, is exactly 6 weeks before the suspected last frost date of March 23. Now is the time to start some seeds, like peppers and tomatoes, indoors and then transported to the cold frame before being transplanted permanently to the part of the garden you wish them to grow in.
A cold frame allows the gardener to do several things, but it really has two basic functions. The first is to start seedlings earlier. Roughly two weeks before you would normally plant, the cold frame will gently warm the soil. This allows you to plant your seedlings earlier and; two, it allows you to extend the growing season. Carrots and beets for example are examples of crops that you might be able to get two harvests of. The cold frame ensures that, if you have an early frost for example, that your late harvest is protected.
Solar heating helps to keep the ground warm and the wood and other insulation, such as dried mulched leaves, help trap that heat extending the growing season.
It also has several disadvantages. Growing plants in the cold frame is an active process. If the temperature goes to high then it's very easy to kill your plants. The frame does need too be vented but if you allow to much heat to escape, you run the risk of killing your plants. You have to take the time to transplant your plants at least twice. In other words...you have to pay attention to what's going on!
Not always my strong suite.
Since there is only the lovely Sue and I that will be taking advantage of anything planted in the garden, I have to question if the cold frame makes any sense for us. After all we are only going to be planting two or three plants per person depending on what we plant.
Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are a must. I would not mind trying our hands at things like carrots, onions and garlic as well. Last year we did grow some sage and basil as well.
I also learned about something about a native plant named the Sunchoke or Jerusalem artichoke. It's in the same family as sunflowers and produces an edible tuber root that looks something like Ginger to me. What got me excited about planting it that it checks off everything I'm looking for in creating my edible yard.
Its root is edible, which can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways, and with a taste that is similar to water chestnuts, hazelnuts or jicama. One cup or 150 grams only has 109 calories and have 0 fat and cholesterol. They only contain 6 mg of salt. That same serving is high in potassium, iron and vitamin B1. They have a very low glycemic index but because they produce insulin, which can cause bloating in some people The roots are high in both soluble and insoluble fibers and a 150g serving has 3 grams of protein in it. It even has about 10% of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C.
Native Americans supposedly used the flowers and leaves as well but their seems to be little to support this claim.
In other words....if my post theoretical environmental collapse forager needs something, this is it. Since it's a perennial, it's coming back year after year. It's also a great pollinator and (supposedly) easy to grow. In fact, they will be aggressive if not cut back making it a great plant if you have a a permanent location in mind (which I do) although they can also be planted in containers.
So in addition to the two Apple trees that I'm planning on planting this year, I'm adding another plant to the edible yard lineup.
It's a start and at this stage that's all I'm asking for.
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