Gardening mush

We had our first hard freezes this week. Low temps in the 20s. Because the weather up to this point has been balmy, nothing was hardened off, so the plants took a hit.

The veggie garden looks the worst. We had just planted new lettuce and now it is mush. We will pull it up and start over again in early spring.

I don't usually plant snap peas in the fall but did this year. We harvested the first small crop and they were delicious, but that is all we will get. The vines hanging on the fence were destroyed in the freeze.

Even the arugula suffered damage. It usually isn't fazed by cold weather, but the drastic change in temperatures was too much for it. We can trim this back and it should recover.

The kohlrabi is totally unaffected. We had such a great crop this year we are trying lots of new recipes. I like it peeled, sliced and roasted, but it is also good sauteed in garlic and butter. Isn't it a odd looking vegetable? Like an alien lifeform in the garden.

Light up the Holidays

Last weekend was my favorite event of the year - Luminations

 

We light up the nurseries with hundreds of candles, luminarias and lights. Last year Kendel rigged us up the red lanterns in front. They are a nice touch.

 

 

Last year during the drought we also moved from real votive candles in our luminarias to battery opertated tea light to avoid any risk of fire. Not as bright as real flame, but much safer.

 

 

We missed the fire in the outdoor fireplace this year, but it was too dry, breezy and warm (62 degrees at 7 p.m. on Dec. 1!) to have open flames.

 

 

Here is the front of the workshop building all lit up and decorated for the occasion. Everyone walked over here to pick up their free door swag we make from Douglas fir boughs and sprigs we cut from evergreens in our gardens.

 

If you have a holiday party this year, plan to include lanterns or luminarias in the front of your house to give your guest a warm welcome and a lit path to the door. You and they will appreciate the effect.