FEBRUARY 2024
HEADING INTO SPRING
February is the transition month from winter into spring. Gardeners get excited when the temperatures start to warm up and are ready to get out and plant the spring garden. But if you have lived in Texas for some time you know a few warm sunny days can quickly be followed by a cold snap. ANYTHING can happen and often it will. Traditionally folks used Easter as the safe date to begin planting. Even as the temperatures begin to warm up the soil is still a bit cold. Plants like peppers, cucumbers, melons, basil really need warmer weather to go into the ground so wait until Mid to late March on those crops. For now there is still time to plant asparagus and one last crop of broccoli, cabbage, leafy greens (collards, kale, Swiss Chard), lettuce, spinach. Now would be the time to tidy up your garden and add fresh compost get ready for planting.
Here at the farm things are really getting busy. We sold out of our first crop of tomatoes and have the next round ready to go. Lots more coming along each week. Be sure to check out the annual Sunshine Community Gardens plant sale on Saturday March 2nd, located at 481 Sunshine Dr, Austin, TX from 9-2. We grow varieties selected by SCG that are rare, unique, eclectic as well as standard favorites.
The featured plant this month is Nasturtium, an annual flower that grows best during cooler weather. All parts of the plant are edible but it is the flowers that are most commonly used to give dishes a peppery flavor. There are many choices of flower colors and one variety, Alaska, has variegated foulage. Nasturtiums do well in hanging baskets and are easy to move indoors when the temperature dips below freezing. Use the flowers to garnish salads, soups, or any dish to add color and appeal. The flowers can also be used to color vinegar dressings and add a spicy flavor.
Until next time, happy gardening!
