I have been an organic gardener long before it was cool. (Is it cool yet?) I still have Organic Gardening issues from my subscription in the early 80’s—sent to “Miss Darcy Sharp”. I’m looking at a July 1984 issue that features “7 fall crops you can plant now”. The 1984 recommendations for fall planting are still so timely and pertinent. The tiny magazines were packed with very practical information as well as results from scientific trials.
Cole crops are still in my fall planting repertoire, including Asian greens. I already have some pak choi seedlings sprouting, I just hope I can keep them damp enough in this 100-degree weather! I planted some cabbage, broccoli, and brussels sprouts this spring, but have seen cabbage moths fluttering around them for months now. I doubt if I will be able to eat any of these crops, because they will probably be wormy and full of tunnels. I am totally at peace with that, though, because I can feed them to my goats and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the fluttery white moths all year.
I have goats because I love them, but it is also very practical to incorporate animals into your organic gardening system. Feeding them fresh vegetables that are less than ideal for your own diet results in generous droppings packed with fertilizer for your compost pile or for layering with mulch.
Cole crops are still in my fall planting repertoire, including Asian greens. I already have some pak choi seedlings sprouting, I just hope I can keep them damp enough in this 100-degree weather! I planted some cabbage, broccoli, and brussels sprouts this spring, but have seen cabbage moths fluttering around them for months now. I doubt if I will be able to eat any of these crops, because they will probably be wormy and full of tunnels. I am totally at peace with that, though, because I can feed them to my goats and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the fluttery white moths all year.
I have goats because I love them, but it is also very practical to incorporate animals into your organic gardening system. Feeding them fresh vegetables that are less than ideal for your own diet results in generous droppings packed with fertilizer for your compost pile or for layering with mulch.
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