Winter Veggie Plants are Here!

[The Useful Gardener]

Forget the August heat and humidity - the winter season veggie plants
are arriving. I've seen "advertisements" on the entry signs for
several of the local garden centers touting the arrival of cole crop
plants (cabbage, broccoli, etc.) , onions and collard plants. As a
rule, the garden centers don't get many of these in - there aren't
too many of us determined year-around gardeners, so I'd head over
(well, I AM heading over) to get some while they are new and in good
shape.

Now if I can only keep them from bolting and wilting on the way home
in my minivan (probably 200 degrees after an hour in the sunny,
roasting parking lot). Whew!

Don't forget, if you're not ready to change out the gardens beds yet
- heaven knows I'm not! - quickly step the six-pack babies up to
larger pots and make sure that you plant the bare-root collards and
such. Onion and garlic sets can just .... set there.

with a grin,
Sybil

[Adam Filipowski]

Sybil,

Could you name a few places? - because some of the stores say they
have cabbage kale etc but what they've got is leftovers from the spring.

Thanks

[The Useful Gardener]

I've been trying to get to some of the local places who are
advertising fall plants - I usually check in with London Bridge
nursery, McDonald Garden Center, Southern States Chesapeake (for
collards and onions). Some of the Taylor Do-It Centers have gotten in
fall plants in the past but I haven't gotten by there this season.
Has anyone been around to check or to purchase plants? I know the
garden sales staff at the "big box" stores (HD, Lowes, W-M etc. )told
me they would NOT be stocking in more veggie plants for the fall but
one never knows how in-the-know the sales kids are.

If anyone finds really nice looking plants, please pass the word on to
the rest of us!
Sybil

[The Useful Gardener]

Lovely fresh cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower plants found at
Taylor's Do-It Center on Laskin Road, VB. Since they generally order
for all branches, I'm assuming this is true for the other stores.
Weather has been perfect for keeping them nice so I'd grab some before
they are gone. I believe the price was $1.89 for a six pack of nice
seedlings. Heard from another member that VB Feed & Seed on Witchduck
Road has fall veggies but selling out fast.

Has anyone seen onion sets - not the plants but the small bulblets -
anywhere around? Each store tellls me they will have them in the
spring but this is way too late for my plans. I want them started in
the fall, grown through the winter and ready by June. If anyone sees
them, please post!