There’s nothing like a few sunny afternoons to kick early flowers into gear. This is the first crocus seen in the Garden this year. Unlike the saffron crocus, which blooms in October, this one does not have edible filaments; it’s simply the first welcoming harbinger of spring.

special thanks to master gardener – anna ashby RADICCHIO | It’s said that a person’s true colors come to light under challenging circumstances. That also applies to some plants that live through winter temperature extremes. This small radicchio, which has no winter protection, is flourishing. The Allison garden has a good supply. PURPLE BROCCOLI |

The broccoli is slowly developing and becoming more distinctly purple. Presuming it will survive the coming freeze, it should be ready for harvesting in the next ten days. Purple broccoli is only the first of three varieties. The other two varieties haven’t started forming heads yet. We harvested the last of the parsnips this week.

The micro-greens we planted this time of year are flourishing. Today, we have 9 hours and 21 minutes of daylight. If one works outside, this is a big deal! The plants in the greenhouse certainly appreciate more minutes of light. As a result, we have plenty of micro-greens. We’ve been harvesting radishes as they reach

This immature radicchio is doggedly growing despite the cold, rain, and wind. This month the radicchio has moved from a loose rosette to forming tiny heads. We hope to harvest in six to eight weeks. Besides weeds, other vegetables that are doggedly growing away this winter are fava beans, garlic, and leeks. The leeks need

Here’s yet another winter sunrise picture for you. We’ve gained 12 minutes of daylight since December 21. Today our first light was 7:18, with the official sunrise at 7:51. The days are getting longer!! We had an exciting week. When I looked at the thermometer, the micro-greens had slowed to sloth speed. It read 50

It has been a busy year of trying new varieties and plants and standing by our old favorites. So come along for a whirlwind tour of the year. Spring was a season of prolonged rain. As a result, the bees couldn’t fly enough to make an early honey crop, and even the worms unsuccessfully attempted

The first serious cold weather showed up for a day, making us glad that we had taken the precaution of covering the parsley and chard with a frost blanket. Everything else still standing is cold, hardy, and will be sweeter. Broccoli has some growing to do before we start harvesting, but at least we can

The shortest day of the year is rapidly approaching. Today, we will receive 8 hours and 47 minutes of daylight. Even the violas, which thrive in cool and damp are looking forward to more sunlight. In the greenhouse, the micro-greens now take about twice as long to reach harvesting size compared to six weeks ago.

We’ve hit the sweepstakes with the daikon, which is growing in the stock tanks this year. How long are they? Are they like icebergs, with the majority hidden underground? The answers to these riveting questions will be revealed next week as I plan to dig some this week before they freeze. November is off to