Self-Reliance Tip of the Week - The Veggies That Shape Our Lives...Ish....

My garden TOTALLY looks like this...ok, almost....

When I was in second grade, we had a spelling test. One of the words was "vegetables". I was in a hurry and spelled "veggies". For some reason I didn't get credit for spelling it right. Who knows? As the weather begins to change, so does our gardening needs. When the Word of Wisdom tells us to eat foods in season, we kinda have to plant it in season too. I have learned a little about this, but there's sooooOOOOooo much I don't know. 

I found this PDF for vegetables to plant for the Gila Valley and when. If you do not live in the Gila Valley, look around, there is probably an extension office or local farmer who could tell you what to plant and when for your area. 

Here is what to plant for Fall/ Winter: 

Veggie:    Time of Year:      Notes: 

Asparagus               Oct. 1 -   March 1            Transplant root cutting after frost

 Beet                         Aug. 1 -  April 1               Except extreme cold

Carrot                    July 15 - March 15            Succession planting for more carrots

Chard                      Aug. 1 -  April 1

Garlic                     Sept. 1 -  Jan. 1                 December is good

Kale                       Aug. 15 -  Feb 15

Lettuce (head)       Aug. 15 - Sept. 15             Can't take heat, goes to seed

                               and Dec. 15 - Jan. 15

Lettuce (leaf)         Aug. 15 - Feb 15

Onion

(green bunching)     Aug. 15 - Feb. 1              For green onion

Pea (spring)             Jan. 1 - Feb. 1

Radish                       All year

Spinach                  Aug. 20 - March 1           Chard is preferred by many - easier and higher yield

Here is the link: 

http://ag.arizona.edu/graham/horticulture/gila_valley_guide.html

I love gardening this time of year because many things that can be grown in our own yards are salad ingredients! Yay!!!  One of the things I could really work on is making my garden a little more attractive and getting my children more involved. President Kimball said this: 

"We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden as neat and attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home, involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities."¹

There is so much more to it than that though...when we take the time to teach our children and grand-children about the Law of the Harvest by LIVING that temporal law, we all get a greater understanding. President Kimball continues: 

"I hope that we understand that, while having a garden … is often useful in reducing food costs and making available delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, it does much more than this. Who can gauge the value of that special chat between daughter and Dad as they weed or water the garden? How do we evaluate the good that comes from the obvious lessons of planting, cultivating, and the eternal law of the harvest? And how do we measure the family togetherness and cooperating that must accompany successful canning? Yes, we are laying up resources in store, but perhaps the greater good is contained in the lessons of life we learn as we live providently." ¹¹

Half a century ago, nearly everyone had a garden. Because foods are so convenient, gardening has nearly dropped of the map of amazing hobbies. Similarly to being disconnected with the meat that we eat, we have also lost connection with many of our veggies. Even though I may never learn to spell "vegetables" right, it is always the right choice to plant them, cultivate them with our children and reap the reward because homegrown tastes SO much better anyway!