Basement Salads

I'm experimenting with what I can grow in the basement (to eat) overwinter. Already some things haven't worked out and others have proven successful.

What hasn't worked: I bought some of that moisture retaining potting mix because it was dirt cheap on sale. Seeds rotted in it. Stuff that wouldn't germinate: beans, peas, cucumbers, squash. I have 1 bean, 1 pea and 1 squash seed (by another method). *Might be good for houseplants, but not for starting seeds.

What has worked: Greens continue to do well and we are eating regular salads. I'm hoping to get to the point where daily salads are an option. It looks like I can cut from the same pots about every 5-10 days. I'm leaf-pruning, rather than topping plants off. Growing: Red Russian Kale, Lettuces, Frilly Mustard. Other happy plants- cilantro, oregano, parsley, jalapeno, a volunteer tomato plant, eggplant, alpine strawberry (no fruit yet, but coming).

The New Experiment

This one is set up with 3 shop lights fairly high over plants.

This is working out fine for already established plants, but

seedlings aren't loving it. In this picture- jalapeno, calendula, violas,

brugmansia, oregano, parsley, green onions, chard, alpine strawberries,

1 squash, 1 pea, 1 bean, alyssum, turnips, eggplant, 1 fig, stocks,

pomegranate in foreground.

Greens doing well

frilly mustards- my fav

 Mixed Greens

I was swooned by the internet powers to order this LED light.

It may significantly reduce energy deman, but it is not proving to grow

better or faster plants. Plus, it's really hard to look at or be near it.

How to overwinter a Jalapeno to eat from

Yank Jalapeno from pot it was in.

Wow, that's a small root ball.

 Line bottom of pot with leaves. 

Adds fiber, minerals, beneficial microbes.

Stake it. Harvest all peppers to help

adjust from transplant shock. Energy to go to

new root making.

New peppers already forming. No new flowers yet.

Happy Oregano & Parsley

Alpine Strawberry & Green Onions

From front to back: 1 pea, 1 bean, 1 tomato

Back row: Stock, Eggplant

Middle: Stock, Violas

Front: Chard transplants, Dill, Alpine Strawberry

Other set up. Much closer to lights.

 Cilantro

Overwintering Non-Edibles

Fuschia

 Coleus cuttings have already rooted (from Oct 4)

 Various houseplants in the basement...

And Houseplants in the windows...

Spider plant, Meyer Lemon, Fragrant Olive, Fern

Outdoor Activities

Fall Blooming Speciosus Crocus- bloomed w/o leaves Row 2

Saffron Crocus is sending up leaves.

Had 2 blooms. Rows 1 & 3

 Planted to the right of the East side Orchard entrance

I've been planted Darwin Tulips & Purple Sensation Alliums on the streets.

Still need to plant the spring crocuses in the new 2016 bed.

Critters (in the basement garden)

Food stuff

Cauliflower Patties- from the Cauliflower Tot recipe

So good.

Crap I need to do when the Queen is done napping

Put away laundry.

Happy (if possible) Election Day and Late Fall!

First Frost- November 1

We had a very nice, long fall. We had a good week of rain, mellow temps without much swing and spectacular fall colors. I never felt rushed to get all of the last minute winterizing done in one fell swoop. We finally had our first frost on November 1 and then a little more the following evening. We've gone frost free until this week. The Polar Vortex that hit Alaska with hurricane-force winds is reaching us today. The next 4 days has highs in the mid-30's and lows between 19-25F. Come winter. 

Final Harvests:

 1/2 bucket of Kennebec potatoes

 Criolla De Cocina peppers

Probably my favorite.

Very productive. Love the colors & texture.

 Criollas, Tomatillos, Corbachi peppers

Awesome year for Sweet Potatoes

Large, no cracks, no pest damage, prolific

 The record sweet of the year

Winter Prep: Chilies

 Winter chili pepper prep

Shishitos & Peach Habs

The Chosen 8- chilies prepped for the basement

Includes: Mustard & Peach Habs, Lemon Drop & Shishitos

Winter prep: Ginger

 Looks like I have a nice Ginger rhizome here.

I plan to overwinter again (winter #2) and if it makes it

maybe I will transplant. It clearly needs more room.

A broad & shallow pot looks needed. 

Winter Prep: Houseplants Back In

 East: Living Room

 East: Kitchen

South: Kitchen (below)

Winter Prep: Outdoors

 Walking Stick Kale and Broccoli under wrap

Collards(back) & new broccoli (front)- not yet covered

 New raised beds- just concrete blocks

and simple covers from old 1x2's & reused plastic

housing- various greens & turnips

 Protecting young perennial seedlings

Coneflowers, Lobelia, Angelica

 6 young Broccoli (above)

Collards (below)

 Taller plants are less frost tolerant. 

Will these make it?

Parsnips from spring planting & collected seed- hope to eat this winter

Fall Critters

 Appears to be a lighter version of a common

spider we have around here. I saw a couple this color

in recent weeks. This one was on the Kaffir Lime.

It appears I will have even more slugs in the Geodome soon.

I caught these two mating. The white protruding objects are their genitalia. Read this interesting fact:

"Apophallation is a commonly seen practice among many slugs. In apophallating species, the penis curls like a corkscrew and during mating, it often becomes entangled in the mate's genitalia. Apophallation allows the slugs to separate themselves by one or both of the slugs chewing off the other's penis. Once its penis has been removed, the slug is still able to mate using only the female parts of its reproductive system" -Wikipedia

I found this while cleaning the garden. I wasn't sure what was going on here so

I placed the whole mess in a jar to watch.

About a week later I got my answer: Parasitic Wasps

(below)

Odds & Ends

 The Jewel Orchid cuttings are taking root in water.

The final bouquet

 1 Narcissus pulled from the fridge

 Drying chilies from Holly

Some of the overwintering plants in the basement under shop lights

Winter greens in the basement? 

Maybe. Planted 11-9-14

Fall Food:

The "Amazing" Quiche that I've already forgotten how to make.

Good thing kiddo made me write down the recipe. 

I put all of the ingredients in the blender & poured into a 

pre-made crust. It was very good. Even the former egg-hater liked it.

Reminders of A Garden Gone

Tomatoes

I still prefer my ripening tomatoes over the 

taste of store tomatoes. Even in November.

I like to see how long these will last me.

Winter. Soon Come.