Winter Update: Garden Dreams & Market Realities
Welcome back my friends! I hope you’ve taken some time lately to relax and do things that bring you joy. I apologize for the long pause between posts - life simply happens! Between closing the garden for the 2025 season, becoming a vendor at the Beloit Winter Market, and holidays, time slipped away from me.
The “Last Hurrah” of 2025
Living in the Midwest, we usually welcome the end of the growing season with a few grumbles. However, I ended up with a lovely extension this year! Despite the usual cucumber struggles, the harvest kept going well into October.
To help push the season as long as possible, I used:
Frost blankets to protect the tomatoes.
Cold-frames to keep the peppers cozy.
The air was getting colder, but seeing those October cucumbers felt like a small victory against the predictable Wisconsin winter.
Planning for 2026: The garlic is in!
October marks garlic planting season here. I’ve already cleared out the bed that previously held salvia, onions, cilantro, and potatoes to make room for the 2026 garlic crop. I have some exciting "other plans" for this bed later this year, but I’ll save those for a future post!
Visit me at the Beloit Winter Market!
I am officially a part-time vendor at the Beloit Winter Market! You can check my schedule here to see which dates I’ll be there.
Because we are deep in the off-season, my stock is limited, but I currently offer:
Small-batch Jams & Jellies
Pickles (Limited supply!)
Zesty Salsa (Limited supply!)
The Garden’s Winter Nap
Now that we’ve passed the winter solstice, the longer days are making me itch to get my hands back in the dirt. But as they say, looks can be deceiving - the sun is best enjoyed from inside the house right now!
On the surface, the garden is resting, but underneath, the work continues:
Composting: I’m collecting kitchen scraps and fall leaves, waiting for a thaw to add them to the pile.
Mulching: The garlic is safely tucked under pine shavings.
Furry Visitors: I’ve discovered rabbit tracks and scat near my strawberries. I’ll have to keep a close eye on those "uninvited guests" once things warm up!
What’s on your garden list?
Plans are well underway for the new growing season. I’m curious—what are you most looking forward to growing (or eating!) this year?