This isn’t the biggest artichoke ever, but after waiting all summer for any sign of a bud, this was a most welcome sight.
In a garden that was largely an experiment, the artichokes were the biggest trial. We were surprised to see seeds for artichokes at the local big box home center, so we got some of the variety called Emerald. The instructions weren’t too specific- New York planting was suggested for May – June, with the usual “sow outdoors after danger of frost.” We know that ‘chokes typically bud in their second season- and are not too fond of frost, which is the least of the hazards in our Zone 4-5 garden. Later we found in the Johnny Seeds Catalog that is supposed to bud in the first season, along with much better instructions for planting. We ordered a packet and started the two types side by side. Both varieties were spindly at transplant, and there were losses with a late frost, but both varieties took root and made progress. The Globe plants made much larger shrubs, and when the weather cooled in late September, we found our first buds. The first two made it to a reasonable size, so with great fanfare, were cut and steamed. Delicious!
Fall Rainbow
A rain and snow squall has passed , leaving a brief patch of sun and a rainbow segment.
In the Finger Lakes, November is to fall weather what April is to spring- unsettled is the order of the day. The forecast was pretty gloomy- cloudy skies turning to showers, giving way to a mix of rain and snow. The day has generally been better than that, with soft sunshine mixed with light spritzes and little breeze. The afternoon skies darkened, and a steady rain lead into a flurry of slushy snow. Then, suddenly the sun was back out with a stub of a rainbow to mark the passing shower.
Gardening Success
This isn’t the biggest artichoke ever, but after waiting all summer for any sign of a bud, this was a most welcome sight.
In a garden that was largely an experiment, the artichokes were the biggest trial. We were surprised to see seeds for artichokes at the local big box home center, so we got some of the variety called Emerald. The instructions weren’t too specific- New York planting was suggested for May – June, with the usual “sow outdoors after danger of frost.” We know that ‘chokes typically bud in their second season- and are not too fond of frost, which is the least of the hazards in our Zone 4-5 garden. Later we found in the Johnny Seeds Catalog that is supposed to bud in the first season, along with much better instructions for planting. We ordered a packet and started the two types side by side. Both varieties were spindly at transplant, and there were losses with a late frost, but both varieties took root and made progress. The Globe plants made much larger shrubs, and when the weather cooled in late September, we found our first buds. The first two made it to a reasonable size, so with great fanfare, were cut and steamed. Delicious!
Signs of Fall
Turkeys gather as the leaves turn colors- Autumn is well on its way.
A group of turkeys dash across the rise behind our house. The birds mass in a group, making an exited clucking, more like chickens than the gobble of turkeys. Wings flapping, necks stretched, a couple of toms do chest thumps for a few seconds as the noise crescendos. Then the group disperses, checking the grass for tasty bugs and seeds.