Everything will be better in the fall

So, it's around 70 degrees in Washington which is frankly, ridiculous. Though it's approaching September this time of year is usually still well steeped in heat and humidity. I couldn't be happier though that the weather is taking this kind of a turn. It is still unclear whether or not this is a trend, or a fleeting fad for the week but I'm going to enjoy it for now.

With the weather such as it is I can't help but look forward to fall, and I've started getting some work done in the garden that reflects this. Last week, my seed order from Southern Exposure seed exchange came in. I've cleared some space from vegetables past and started prepping the beds for new plants. I bought ten bags of manure and peat moss from the hardware store, and have dug it in where I can; also a bag of blood meal that is frankly, kinda gross but which should supply all the nitrogen I generally lack. I have already sown a few beds, first with another crop of bush beans to get me through September. These are a new variety for me called Royalty Purple. From the pictures I've seen they look almost like wilted baby eggplants. I'm still excited about them though and they will make a fun change from the green I've been picking all summer. With much anticipation I started planting my turnips. I finished off the pack of purple top seeds in one section. On standby I have some White Egg Turnip seed that I would like to plant before mid-September. I think they will be just lovely. In the next week I will spread some mustard greens between the turnip rows since the two seem to get on quite well together.

Next I got started on some long rows of greens: a mesclun mix, and a variety of lettuce called Oakleaf. In the row next to them I planted spinach which stubbornly refused to germinate last time I tried it. I'm crossing my fingers for this crop. On the list of greens to be are: more mustard greens, arugula, kale, and I will give a stab at some cabbage.