December Garden

Long after our summer gardens have faded, our fall gardens are now in full bounty. All of our produces that we have enjoyed from the spring gardens are now making their second appearance of the year, featuring an abundance of lettuce, swiss chard, green onions, radishes, kale, alongside other greens. Often overlooked, our full winter garden extends its growing season well beyondinto the months of January, occasionally later as well.

Along with repeats from the spring garden, there is a wealth of seasonal varieties in the gardens including red and green cabbages, beets, carrots, turnips, rutabagas, collards, kale, among a number of mustard greens and winter radishes.

Our guests at Blackberry Farm enjoy a fully diversified menu, as our chefs incorporate late fall and early winter produce into our favorite seasonal cuisines. With two restaurants in full operation, guests are able to experience a plethora of culinary creations.

As you are planning for your summer garden next year, I recommend expanding your growing season to include late fall and early winter varieties. As seasons change, tastes of the fall greens are sweetened by the first frosts of late fall, never failing to create decadent flavors among the two.

John Coykendall, Master Gardener