Perennial Growth for an Organic Gardener

The grass always grows
better than the garden!

Over the past several years I have chronicled my battles against bugs and weeds in my quest to become an organic gardener.  No matter what I try, the grass and weeds seem to get the better of me.  I need a new plan.

While the growing season is hectic, the time between Christmas and early spring have become my own "greening" time, one where I seek out new knowledge to improve the next season.  Last winter, I completed the Rodale Institute's Organic Transition Course online.  I had planned to take the local Master Gardener class this year, but it's only given in the fall, which is already jam-packed in my schedule.  Perhaps, in the future, I'll find an online class, like Clemson offers.  South Carolina's climate is similar enough to Tennessee's to be compatible.  I just wonder if Tennessee will accept it?

Mulched crocuses with carrots
in a raised bed are weathering the cold well.

So, I've been looking for an online class for the winter.  I should have known that my cousin Mary Catherine would provide the answer.  She gardens quite successfully, and keeps chickens as well as goats.  When I visited her Facebook page last week, I noticed a new addition:  a link to Permaculture magazine  Permaculture is a systems approach to gardening, and life, which emphasizes the creation of  sustainable ecosystems rather than gardens.  Instead of fighting against Mother Nature, which even organic gardeners do to an extent, permaculture takes advantage of the relationships among the elements of an ecosystem.  It's quite a change from the traditional method of gardening.  So, perennial student that I am, I searched for a reliable online course.

Heavy rains have taken a long time
to soak into the ground.

Apparently, reliable is a relative thing, and the first course I thought I would take doesn't seem to be appropriate for me.  I finally settled on a distance learning class at North Carolina State University taught by Dr. Will Hooker.  Called Introduction to Permaculture, it's a recording of a live class and utilizes two texts:  Toby Hemenway's Gaia's Garden and Bill Mollison's Introduction to Permaculture.  I am, basically, auditing the class, not enrolled, and do not have any interactions with the instructor.  He is a certified permaculture designer and instructor, so I hope the information will be accurate.  The cost is perfect (free) and the flexibility works with my schedule.  I'd like to start implementing permaculture design principles in the spring.

Nandina, lovely, but pervasive.

So, the dark days of winter will be bright and busy here on the farm.  Far from barren, they will be a growing time for me, and, I hope, for my garden, too.

What about you?  How are you growing this winter?

Nancy

The Winter Garden

The first camellia--sasanqua--of the season.
The japonica is just budding.

The threat of near-teen night-time lows last week sent me scrambling to mulch my winter beds.  I've added several raised beds and put in several winter crops.

The garlic had sprouted about 4" tall and I knew it needed to be mulched.  Although not optimal, the lack of hay sent me dashing to Tractor Supply for pine shavings.  By the headlights of my trusty little truck, Jim and I fluffed about 4" of pine shavings around the garlic leaves.  I have not been outside in the daylight since, and hope that will do the trick for the winter.

The garlic has enjoyed warm fall days!

The spinach has also sprouted about 1" tall, but it will have to fend for itself.  Although we do have some bitterly cold nights, at times, most winter days are in the forties, which, hopefully, the spinach will enjoy.  It not, oh, well.

Carrots!

This bed is split between carrots (left) and saffron crocus.

The saffron crocus finally sprouted.

The third bed is split between carrots and saffron crocus.  While we did mulch the crocuses, the carrots are on their own against the cold.  Saffron is a fall-blooming crocus, but likely will not bloom this year.  It is reputed to be a profuse multiplier, so I hope to fill the bed next year.  I'll need as many bulbs as possible since each bulb only produces 3 threads of saffron.  No wonder it's so expensive!

The fourth bed is the original, from which I've recently harvested turmeric.  Although I've given a few tubers away, I'll save most for seed for next year since seed will not be available.

What can I plant that's short-term, and loves the cold?

One topic I'll be researching over the winter is "landrace" crops.  I had not ever heard of the term before this week, but it seems like one solution to a variety of problems with plants just not thriving.

What do you know about landrace farming?

Your helpful comments are needed!  So, not much going on the the garden, which is a good thing.  If the rain lets up, I'll turn under the garden.  I'm enjoying the rain, however and would not dare complain about it.

Many thanks for reading, and for your comments about landrace farming.

What's growing in your Savory jardin?

Nancy