Undercover crops yield surprises

(A radish seed must have dropped and sprouted along with the lettuce under Reemay)

Gardening never seems to come to an end, even though the first frost typically signals the end of the season as we know it here in the Hudson Valley.
Yes, it's sad to see the tomatoes, basil, string beans, peppers and annual flowers fade to brown, but there is still plenty of life in the fall garden.



I was out in the plot last weekend, finally getting around to planting my garlic when I discovered the greens I had planted under Reemay were ready for picking. What a treat. Those greens this week will taste sweeter than even, as I knew it was a long way to go before spring, which is when I thought they would be ready.

Gardening is a lot like life — you have cycles of ups and downs, experiences that humble and enlighten. There are surprises in store (like digging fresh potatoes) and things to look forward to. Isn't that what makes life sweet and worth living? Oh, and sharing all that with someone you love!

So here are some autumnal glimpses of a garden that keeps on giving — a lot like life — you get back what you put into it!

Young spinach leaves are ready for harvest in November.

A nice mix of lettuces ready for plucking. Tossed with a little fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and a splash of balsamic, these greens won't last long in our house.

Giacomo's a good gardening buddy - you can see he's waiting patiently for me to uncover the row. Actually, he and Carlos the cat love the fresh straw I lay down as mulch. I think it conjures up thoughts of being "barn cats" as they burrow in for a snooze.

"Yes, I am a good kitty." Dressed in a tux, this one is always ready to step out!

I planted the lettuce in stages, so the front rows have a way to go, which is good. The lettuce and spinach in the back is ready to rock!

Sage is a hearty perennial that can take the cold nights. The leaves are glistening with raindrops. I love to dip sage leaves into a batter of flour and mineral water and fry them as garnishes for dishes or to serve with cheese.

One robust nasturtium blooms amid the withered remains of the bed. Fall flowers are really a treat.

The leaves of the gooseneck loosestrife have captured the essence of fall beauty in the garden.

A sprig of dill, dappled with dew, springs up in the strawberry patch.

One of those garden surprises included a violet that popped up in the strawberry patch — in November, no less!

The garlic is planted for next year. These are three of my favorites: Music, Nirvana Weird and Spanish Rioja. The Nirvana strain sums it up: Fresh garlic is pure bliss.

All in all, I planted 110 cloves, 10 different varieties. Fresh garlic is definitely something to look forward to!

Some of the fall crops stashed in the kitchen with Carlos, "the kitchen cat," keeping guard.

That's it for now in the garden. Lots of cleanup on tap and beds to get ready for next year.
But there are still things growing strong, such as leeks and kale. Stayed tuned for more.