Frosty Greens!

   Frost on plants is a funny thing.  If the plants are cold hardy at all, most will survive a frost even a heavy one.  Those short-lived cold snaps actually do garden plants good, in my view.  After being stunted by the weather, the plants will kick it in gear and have a growth spurt.  It is all about survival.  Let something threaten plants and they have that innate need to hurry things up a bit.  Plants sole goal in life is to reproduce so when that is in danger, they strive harder to flourish and make strong, health seeds.  Frost on the leaves is not a bad thing, in most cases.

  Lately, the greens in the garden have been frost-laden each morning.  This is due to the heavy fog overnight and the drop in temperatures.  By morning, the cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower and mustard greens are wearing a thick coat of frost.  Then the sun rises, warms a bit and the frost starts to melt.  Each little droplet runs down the leaves to puddle until it is heavy enough to fall to the ground.  There, the dirt greedily soaks it up and the plants are watered.  It is all in nature's plan.  The way most leaves are shaped and the way they are set on the plants causes water to run down to where it is most needed.  Mother Nature is not stupid!  Make the most of what is there.

  Son and I enjoyed the first head of cabbage from the garden this week and been having mustard greens every other day.  The broccoli and cauliflower will soon be ready, as well.  Winter gardens are actually far easier to tend as weeds and plant-munching insects are not as likely to invade the garden plot.  Neither seem to appreciate the frost.  Happy gardening, folks.  Go plant some greens!