Furnace filters replaced, check; water filter replaced, check; drains cleared, check; septic tank pumped out, check; outdoor power equipment cleaned and serviced, check; garden cleared, cultivated and over-seeded with winter rye, check. We are ready for winter!
With COVID and forced telework, this was the first season I was able to go with total organic pest control. There is nothing like keeping a daily check on the patch and reapplying various organic sprays exactly when needed. All and all if was an excellent season.
The last remaining crop for winter is our kale. This year we planted a full row of Lacinato and a second row of Dazzling Blue, Red Russian and Premier COL (one third of each) in late August so it would be up and well on its way by heavy frost. Last year our crop was nipped by an early heavy freeze before it had a chance to harden off to the colder weather. This year we were careful to get it up and under row cover before the heavier frosts.
Since kale can take some pretty cold temps, the row cover is little more than insect grade Agribon. Just enough protection to hold off the worst of the freeze and still provide some heat retention and good light transmission. This usually keeps us with kale well into January.
