Welcome back!
Scott Koepke
Happy start of the new school year, gardeners!
Hope your summer has been fruitful. While it's fresh on my mind, just wanted to share a few thoughts for whatever they're worth:
- I've been rediscovering how much I love root crops this year. 'Taters, beets, carrots, onions, garlic ... especially in the summer when the kids aren't around as much, they're a bit less labor-intensive.
- Speakin of labor, would love to know how that went for you this summer. I'm pretty driven to spend most of my outreach time with pre-schoolers through 3rd grade or so, in the hopes that those are the next generation of sprouts who will expect to be involved in school & community gardens throughout their lives.
- Don't forget to consider a cover crop this fall after you put the beds to bed. There are several, but one of my regenerative favorites is rye. Germinates in Oct, dies back at hard kill frost, regenerates in spring, tilled under in April, provides available nutrients for roots as it builds organic matter. Win, win, win.
- Check out the cold frame Joyce has a Kirkwood Elementary. Fresh lettuce in winter! Plus, we can do preservation and dehydration lessons.
Best is yet to come!
-sk