More Gardening in the Workplace

Here is a last call for planting a Fall garden. Some workplaces are now providing community gardens. Many cool weather crops are planted in early Spring for an early Summer crop, then again in mid Summer for a Fall crop. For those who have Fall crops it will be time to make pickled vegetables, sauer kraut, dried fruit snacks and more. These products can be consumed at work, and a portion can be used to stock an emergency food supply in the work place.

 A communal garden differs in that whatever is grown belongs to and benefits the group. Communal gardening promotes team work, which can then be carried over into the work place by providing healthy salads, relish trays, stirfrys and nourishing soups. Skills learned at work prepare those who have not been exposed to gardening, preparing homemade meals and eating them family style, with skills that can be used at home.

August (the sooner, the better)
Mesclun (gourmet salad greens) - usable in 30 days, many plants in the mix are cold hardy
Micro Greens mature in less than 3 weeks
Arugula matures in less than 30 days
Short season radishes such as cherry bell or icicle mature in 25-30 days
Chard withstands cold temperatures, but may not keep growing.
Kale is cold hardy.
Beets may mature in time. Pre-soak seeds to speed germination. Harvest before frost.
Winter density lettuce is cold hardy.
Pakchoi and Bokchoi mature in about 45 days.
Chinese cabbage matures in about 60 days.
Spinach matures in about 45 days.

September
Fall is the best time to plant garlic and shallots
Very short season crops such as microgreens, arugula and radishes should mature if planted Sept. 1st. If we have a warm Fall, lettuce, spinach, bok choy and pakchoi may mature in time.
Plant cover crops such as rye grass or red clover to enrich the soil for a Spring garden and to reduce erosion.

Wintering Over
Mature brussels sprouts, carrots and parsnips can be kept in the ground and harvested fresh during the winter months. Mulch during freezing weather, and pull back the mulch during good weather. Last year we enjoyed fresh carrots in February.