Decorating for Next Year: Using A Butcher Block as A Planting Station

Well, as you can tell my blog is slowing down as the gardening season closes. My kids sports and other activities have picked up and that is taking over my time. I am shifting away from watching my garden grow to watching my kids grow another season. I figure there is about a month left before the frost comes. And this is the time I start thinking about growing plants indoors.

This isn't only the time for cleaning up the garden but a time for planning the next garden. We just finished our basement and one thing I added down there was a utility sink and growing closet. If you have the room I highly recommend you create a growing closet and if you are lucky enough to have the room... add a utility sink.  Having a utility sink makes gardening clean up easy and quick.

Now that we finished our basement. I plan to build a flagstone patio right at the top of the walk-out stairs. I planned out the stone and am looking for furniture. The classic outdoor look I want, in furniture, I was able to find here at adirondackchairsinc.com .  I prefer natural products and in this case stone and wood. It ties nicely into my garden style.  Another interesting piece of furniture that can be used in the finish basement is a butcher block. The butcher block is a great piece of functional furniture. The right style can function as a piece of decorative furniture and can also function as a planting station. The link shows different styles and one of them is perfect for a planting station.

Seeds from the State Fair for Fall Planting: Winter Radishes

I've cleared out more beds and am getting back into the swing of things. Here are some seed packets I bought at the fair. There was a large heirloom seed section.  I could have bought $100 worth of seeds. I decided to concentrate on seeds I could put in now and in the spring.

1. Radish: Round Black Spanish 55 days

This radish is known as a winter radish and can be harvested well in the winter. We will see.

2. Arugula: Wild Italian 45-60 days.

A different variety. Sturdy leaf that is cold tolerant.

3. Kohl Rabi: Purple Vienna 50-65 days.

Needs to go in 4 weeks before frost.

4. Radish: White Chinese Winter 25-30 days.

Develop best in cool weather.

5. Radish: Chinese Rose-Winter 20-50 days.

Fast growing and can stay in ground to continue maturing.

More State Fair Pictures: Tomatoes, Pumpkins and More

More pictures of Maryland grown vegetables.

What Good is the State Fair without Vegetables Pictures: Peppers, Gourds, Squash

Maybe one day, I may compete. Nah. But here are some interesting pictures.

How the Tomatoes are Doing: 1st and 2nd Waves.

Well I survived the blight very well. Wettable sulfur is the way to go. Here are some pictures. I fertilized the tomatoes with Miracle Grow and pruned them. I want to see how long I can get them to maintain through September.

This is a 2nd Wave Orange Jubilee.

These are 2 first wave tomatoes. Growing well with green tomatoes and buds.

This is the Sara's Galapagos. Yellowing out. Loaded with fruit.