It’s nothing short of a miracle that a few dimes worth of spinach or turnip seed can provide pounds of fresh greens in April and May. My greens were grown 100% organically this year (of course, I must confess to using a bag of Black Hen to help them along.) I could have used a BT product to manage the cabbageworms, but they are not worth the fuss.
To rip out an aging bed of spinach is bittersweet. As the daytime temps approach 90F here in the Piedmont, plants go to seed and the big dark green leaves fade to yellow becoming a bit dog-eared. I must say we had a long run this year for spinach despite off-and-on heat spells…..but, there was plenty of rain this spring. So long to the fresh spinach and strawberry salads as both crops peter out as June arrives.
As for the turnip/rape patch, my intentions were to grow these leafy greens for a green mauture crop only…to turn them under when 8 inches high for soil enhancement. My primal instincts prevailed and I have been harvesting the foliage for pots of stewed greens for a copule of months…..yummy and nutritious, too! (Country ham and greens are a Tar Heel delicacy.)
With a knife and shovel in hand I managed to chop and mulch my beds with the old salad greens. The summer heat will finish off the lush plants and subsequently return organic matter to the poor clay soil. On the bright side, I now have space for my peppers and tomatoes seedlings that are heeled in waiting for their time in my sunny, raised beds.
It is easier to say “farewell” to the cool season veggies knowing that luscious tomatoes are only weeks away….ie: fresh tomato sandwiches, thank God !
We gardeners have true faith…mustard seed faith! Saw a great quote today “To do the impossible, you must be able to see the invisible.”
Happy gardening!!
