A trek through the vegetable garden over the weekend revealed that many edible plants have survived the winter season and are thriving now that spring has arrived.

Sure, I heard the freeze warnings that were broadcast over the weekend, but who pays much attention to the weatherman’s predictions these days? Besides the leafy greens and fall vegetables that occupy most of the garden have been anxiously awaiting a heavy frost to tickle and sweeten their hardy leaves for weeks already.

While we’ve been enjoying balmy weather and an extended summer season here in Pennsylvania, I’ve started noticing reports of fall frosts striking gardens in other regions. Things are slowing down and some of the garden bloggers have closed up shop for the winter, but here are a few interesting links form around the Internet:

Yes, it’s officially fall according to the calendar, but the vegetable garden is still lush, green, and continues to yield plenty of fresh organic produce. I’ve been gradually removing summer crops, including the heirloom tomatoes to make room for fall plantings. As usual the leafy greens account for the bulk of my fall vegetable production.

I was recently introduced to a gene line of ice-bred leafy greens that may be very useful to cold climate gardeners. These leafy greens are amazing in their ability to perform under bitterly cold growing conditions. They also offer a taste treat that is noticeably more robust and flavorful than your typical leafy green vegetables.

Yesterday I shared a few ideas for protecting and over wintering plants through the colder seasons, today I’ll examine a few steps that you can take to winterize your pond, garden fountain, or water feature to preserve them through the harshest weather conditions.

After a mild start to the winter season the U.S. is in the midst of a severe cold spell, and here in the Northeast we are becoming reacquainted with ice and snow. While the garden is now in a deep slumber, I thought it would be a good time to share some of the winter gardening gear that I’m using to protect my plants through cold weather conditions.

This year’s crop of fall-grown broccoli is looking very, very good! Yes, I’m welcoming in the month of December by harvesting an impressive crop of large heads of nutritious broccoli from the fall vegetable garden. This autumn season was ideal for growing terrific broccoli.