Fall is now

September 22nd at 8:03 pm begin the Fall equinox, after which Fall is upon us and the days begin to get shorter than the night. 

Traditionally this is a time of Harvest celebrations and customs honoring the circle of life.  At Our Garden on Ferry Place it was sunny and hot today, and there were some real gems.

Zinnia

For one, the multi layered purple zinnia. This is probably the Purple Prince variety of zinnia elegans and will keep blooming as long as we keep cutting it and it doesn’t get too cool.  This one is a volunteer– zinnias will reseed in our climate.

Moringa

The Moringa (Moringa oleifera) tree flowers constantly this time of year.  The leaves may be harvested to use in cooking or dried for the same, it is a rich source of minerals and protein.

Okra

pick Okra every two days or three times a week to keep your harvested okra soft and the plants producing at their best rate

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) will continue to produce until the weather really does turn, and won’t really stop till a frost.  This is clearly a spineless variety, but I don’t know which type.  The faming advice from Mr. Timmy of Montz Pumpkin Farm is to pick your okra every two days– or three times a week– to keep your harvested okra soft and the plants producing at their best rate.  If you find some very large woody pods, let them dry and save the seeds!

Basil

This Tulsi Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum, Ocimum gratissimum) also known an Holy Basil and is a technically a different species than Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum).  It is a hardy flower producer and will attract plenty of bees on sunny days.

Banana

Well, you know.  Banana trees grow like weeds on the south shore.  The bananas at Our Garden are the edible variety and when they grow plump enough (weather! water!) they have a fruity banana flavor, low starch, and a hint of orange blossom.