Fall Gardening With Them Part 1

   I am convinced knowing "how to" do something is the number 2 reason most people don't try there hand at it. What's number 1- "want to" Sorry to say, and I used to be in this boat. Until I began to take on the attitude of "It's really not about me!" Also started thinking in big picture terms. Then I began to see the more I slowed down to purposely and physically "do" things with them, the more fun we have as a family and the more they respected me. They see me investing in "them". Also what child doesn't love to play in the dirt? So how special to have someone who loves them right along side. So don't let "know how" or yourself get in the way of a beautiful relationship with "them".
   Maybe an all knowing perfect God knew this was important to life. "And God said let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth and it was so." Genesis 1:11
   "And God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed." Genesis 2:8
   "And The Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." Genesis 2:15
   It (gardening) is particularly mentioned even after the fall. "cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee and thou shalt eat the herb of the field." Genesis 3:17b-18  "Therefore The Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken." Genesis 3:23
   I take this to be more than a hobby, needed for survival and great for family unity. It is also so rewarding financially as you don't have to buy as many groceries. Physically tending a garden gives good exercise while getting loads of vitamin D. Aren't we all becoming a little more interested in living better, healthier, and more sustainable lives.
   Here's years of trial and error going to work at a better garden each year. I'll do more parts to this Gardening with "them" theme. Part 2- Fertilizing with "them". 3- Raised beds with "them". And then more in winter and spring. If you do plan to garden in a raised bed next year, you should be building and fertilizing NOW, to get the most out of it next season.
   What grows best in a southern garden? 1- Purple Top Turnip Greens win hands down as the easiest and most productive garden crop for fall. Don't know anybody with a southern fall garden that doesn't grow 'em. 2- Mustard Greens. 3- Collards or Kale. *In my experience, although these are all from the Brassica family, the others like Broccoli, Cabbage and Brusselsprouts do not grow well in fall/winter, in the south. Don't waste your time. Weather and plants are too finicky, unless your greenhouse growing. 4- Lettuce, in fall we like Butter Crunch, Bibb or even Black Seeded Simpson. We throw in some red variety while planting to give a color and taste change. All leafy It really depends on your taste. Black Seeded Simpson is great for the south as it is good for warmer climates. 5- Carrots, and Tender Sweet are hands down the best for size and flavor. I 've tried all colors shapes and sizes and these turn out great everytime. Others seem to get "stumped" in our clay soil. Which does not loosen up much to give them room to grow. Which by the way, next time (part 2) I'll go over fertilizer. It's easier than you think. 6- Spinach, it does not grow extremely well, so plant more than what you need. Best kind for southern garden, that I've seen is Bloomsdale. Again, like carrots we've tried many varieties and this one works everytime. It also needs extra amounts of vitamins, so for this use manure, compost or 13-13-13. If you do not have rotted manure use 3x13. Never use fresh manure right on food you'll be eating soon. This ought to be a no brainier. 7- Beets, this too needs extra fertilizer. 8- Bok Choy or any similar Chinesee Cabbage. I was surprised at how wonderful, though not traditional, it grew. These are also great in homemade stir fry or egg roles and what not dishes! Add some different things every year to keep it fun.
   Start out with your seeds, don't over complicate things putting too much expectation on production at first. Just try and have fun. 1st, till and add lime. Lime is a must for the gardens in the south every year anyway. Then add, anything else you can get your hands on, like leaves, compost, rotted manure ( you can use fresh if not planting till next season). I add manure to the ground in spring, and wood ash whenever, fall or spring or through winter. As well as other things all through the year. Where we have the fall garden now we burned a bunch of brush so I haven't had to add ash lately. We'll cover fertilizing in Part 2.
So here it is in a nut shell. Honestly its so ridiculously easy. Till up the season before if possible, add fertilizer. If not, oh well. Till up your ground. Attempt to hoe in straight lines. Drop seed into rows. Covor only the larger seeds like beets and spinach. Do not cover your lettuce, carrots, or greens. The seed is so small it gets buried. Then IMMEDIATLY water lightly. This gets those tiny little seeds to stick in the ground so if a big rain comes in they are not washed out. And Viola! We'll fertilize next week. When I can get the tiller running to help work it in.
   Oh and don't be upset if "they" fumble around a little. Spill the seeds, undo the hole roll of tape, build a castle in the row or don't want to help. Remind them they won't get to share in the loot. Enjoy it, even if the 100lb German shepherd lays down in the middle of your newly hoed row. And try to remember to bring in the coffee cup. Daddy has run over sooo many. AND WHO CARES IF THEY GET THEIR CLOTHES DIRTY!!! "Get out and grow together!"


Try to remember to bring inside.

Ummm, we needed that, but ok.

Nothing like little barefeet!

Give them the knowledge and watch them grow.

Everybody likes to hoe!

This is not my good side!

I want some attention!!!

Lightly Cover Larger Seeds

Just work around the dog!



I was working here. 

And they teach one another the good!

Little one building the "I CAN".



Sometimes it's crowded.

The older teaching the younger.



Working together.