Asturian Garden Calendar
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[[File:Planting by the signs.jpg|alt=Planting by the signs|right|frameless]] | [[File:Planting by the signs.jpg|alt=Planting by the signs|right|frameless]] | ||
Every place has its garden calendar, whether it be ''planting by the signs'' or "grandpa always said..." [[Asturias]] is no different. Compiled from a variety of sources including conversations with myriad | Every place has its garden calendar, whether it be ''planting by the signs'' or "grandpa always said..." [[Asturias]] is no different. Compiled from a variety of sources including published almanacs, conversations with myriad old-timers, and my own experience living and gardening here; this is my more-or-less guide to gardening in Asturias, month by month. | ||
Gardening in Asturias is a year-round affair. We are blessed with a mild enough climate that pretty much every month of the year yields a harvest. The traditional rotation of crops through the garden helps to ensure a steady supply of greens, beans, and root vegetables all year. | Gardening in Asturias is a year-round affair. We are blessed with a mild enough climate that pretty much every month of the year yields a harvest. The traditional rotation of crops through the garden helps to ensure a steady supply of greens, beans, and root vegetables all year. | ||
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''Antes cambiábase too de sitiu. Les tierres que taben de patates poníense de maíz; agora yá lo pongo too igual. Yo, por ejemplo, tengo una güerta namás y prácticamente póngolo too nel mesmu sitiu, pero dicen que si se cambia, da más. Cuando se cosechan las patatas se puede poner una nueva siembra de repollos y son los que mejor y más buenos salen.'' | ''Antes cambiábase too de sitiu. Les tierres que taben de patates poníense de maíz; agora yá lo pongo too igual. Yo, por ejemplo, tengo una güerta namás y prácticamente póngolo too nel mesmu sitiu, pero dicen que si se cambia, da más. Cuando se cosechan las patatas se puede poner una nueva siembra de repollos y son los que mejor y más buenos salen.'' | ||
| source = Vila Díez, Sara. La huerta ecológica asturiana. Glayiu, 2013. | | source = Vila Díez, Sara. La huerta ecológica asturiana. Glayiu, 2013. | ||
| width = | | width = 300px | ||
| align = right | | align = right | ||
}} | }} | ||
January is | ''January is the coldest, wettest, windiest month in Asturias, and even so, there's an 80% chance that every day in the month is above freezing. It's no joke when I say that Asturias has a year round growing season. This is the month for enjoying the best of cool season vegetables, and for planting the first Spring vegetables. Christmas season is over and it's time to think about green peas and early potatoes.'' | ||
==== Direct Seed ==== | ==== Direct Seed ==== | ||
<div style="column-count: 2"> | <div style="column-count: 2"> | ||
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== Febreru (February) == | == Febreru (February) == | ||
''By the middle of February, the worst of the cold nights are over and everything is starting to warm up. Cold frame seeding can begin (greenhouse seeding is year round). Hardy herbs start to poke their heads back up, and all the hardy veggies that like some cold nights such as Brussels sprouts, spinach, and beets are at their best.'' | |||
==== Start Seeds ==== | ==== Start Seeds ==== | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
== Marzu (March) == | == Marzu (March) == | ||
''In March Asturias starts to dry out. The winters here are wet and windy, and while there is still plenty of spring rain, it is not as constant as during the winter. Succession planting is in full swing by this point, and most gardens are at capacity. The big summer veggies are being seeded now and we are harvesting the last of the cool season fare. Tomato tunnels are built or repaired, and bean trellises are assembled for the coming season.'' | |||
==== Start Seeds ==== | ==== Start Seeds ==== | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
== Abril (April) == | == Abril (April) == | ||
''April rarely sees a day below freezing, even in the high mountains. Gardening and field cropping are in full swing. The first flush of spring produce is available, and onions, peppers, tomatoes, and artichoke begin to appear on the table. Summer corn and autumn pumpkins are going in the ground now.'' | |||
==== Start Seeds ==== | ==== Start Seeds ==== | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
== Mayu (May) == | == Mayu (May) == | ||
''Hurray, hurray, the first of May! Outdoor (dining) starts today! Isn't that how the limerick goes? I am probably sleeping with the windows open by now, and gardens need constant attention. It is possible to feed yourself just on garden produce now - and many do. Vacation fever begins to set in, and many plans are made for how to pass the time at the beach or in the village house. In the villages everyone is out, and [[Espicha|espichas]] are a regular occurrence.'' | |||
==== Start Seeds ==== | ==== Start Seeds ==== | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
== Xunu (June) == | == Xunu (June) == | ||
''Summer is in full swing, even though it won't officially be summer until the 21st or so. There's a reason a lot of Europe calls the summer solstice midsummer. Garden produce is abundant, and daily harvesting is necessary. Adaptable cooks stretch their culinary creativity now, and the hidebound wonder what to do with all the things they cannot cook. We start seeds for cool season crops now, and start planting late crop potatoes and a second round of pretty much everything else.'' | |||
==== Start Seeds ==== | ==== Start Seeds ==== | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
== Xunetu (July) == | == Xunetu (July) == | ||
''The height of summer sees gardens in Asturias bursting with vegetables. The winter bean crop goes in, cool season greens get started, and so much summer produce comes out and gets cooked. This is the season of fresh vegetable dishes at almost every meal.'' | |||
==== Start Seeds ==== | ==== Start Seeds ==== | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
== Agostu (August) == | == Agostu (August) == | ||
''In a lot of the gardening world, this is the big payoff month. You settle down to enjoying summer vacation and your garden provides and provides and provides. In Asturias we stay just as busy in August as in other months. The cool-season crops needs seed starting, transplanting, and in some cases planting out. Never mind how busy you are if you are canning, drying, or otherwise preserving the harvest.'' | |||
==== Start Seeds ==== | ==== Start Seeds ==== | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
== Setiembre (September) == | == Setiembre (September) == | ||
''Winter succession planting starts this month, with brocoli and cauliflower we will transplant in November. The garden is still delivering as much summer produce as in August, and canning is in full swing around my house. The shady protected beds for summer salad greens are given over to flowers and lettuce moves into the main sunny garden plots. The cooler evenings herald the coming big field and orchard harvest, and drying beans are '''everywhere'''.'' | |||
==== Start Seeds ==== | ==== Start Seeds ==== | ||
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== Ochobre (October) == | == Ochobre (October) == | ||
''The big field crops that need the most space get harvested now, and [[Hórreo|hórreos]] throughout Asturias are groaning under the weight of tons of drying corn. Pumpkins are ready just in time for [[Samaín]] and late crop potatoes are dug now. The transition to cool season crops is almost complete, and evening temperatures drop low enough that thoughts turn to firewood and orchard work.'' | |||
==== Start Seeds ==== | ==== Start Seeds ==== | ||
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== Payares (November) == | == Payares (November) == | ||
''Winter greens like spinach are the name of the game in November. Root vegetables are abundant this time of year, and the summer compost is ready to be spread on gardens along with a blanket of old straw or hay from the pajar.'' | |||
==== Direct Seed ==== | ==== Direct Seed ==== | ||
<div style="column-count: 2"> | <div style="column-count: 2"> | ||
* | * [[Ajo]] | ||
* [[Arbeyos]] | * [[Arbeyos]] | ||
* [[Espinaca]] | * [[Espinaca]] | ||
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== Avientu (December) == | == Avientu (December) == | ||
''The last of the summer carrots and a new crop of califlower and brocoli help round out the root veggie heavy harvest this time of year. The spring beans and garlic get planted, and planning for the coming potato planting begins. This is the season to repair tools and irrigation, spread firewood ashes on both garden plots and compost piles to replenish lime and potassium.'' | |||
==== Direct Seed ==== | ==== Direct Seed ==== | ||
<div style="column-count: 2"> | <div style="column-count: 2"> | ||
| Line 528: | Line 516: | ||
[[Category:Ingredients]] | [[Category:Ingredients]] | ||
[[Category:Culinary Landscape]] | [[Category:Culinary Landscape]] | ||
{{toclimit|limit=2}} | |||
Latest revision as of 10:22, 28 June 2023
Every place has its garden calendar, whether it be planting by the signs or "grandpa always said..." Asturias is no different. Compiled from a variety of sources including published almanacs, conversations with myriad old-timers, and my own experience living and gardening here; this is my more-or-less guide to gardening in Asturias, month by month.
Gardening in Asturias is a year-round affair. We are blessed with a mild enough climate that pretty much every month of the year yields a harvest. The traditional rotation of crops through the garden helps to ensure a steady supply of greens, beans, and root vegetables all year.
The following can be planted throughout the year and will not appear in particular months unless they have a specific month in which they perform best or are most commonly planted:
Xineru (January)
Depués de les patates ponen remolacha o verde pa les vaques.
Cada año se ponen les patates en una mitad y en la otra cebollas, fréjoles maíz, fabes de la granja, zanahories, coles, etc.
Se cambia todo de sitio, sobre todo les patates. Después de quitales se ponen los nabos forrajeros.
Hai que cambiar siempre de sitiu los cultivos y nun repetilos, pa nun desgastar la tierra y mantener el suelu.
Se va cambiando todo de sitio. Depués de les patates se ponen los fréjoles.
Se cambian las cosas de sitio, primero en un lado y luego se ponen en otro, pero ahora como tengo poca tierra viene a sembrarse casi en el mismo sitio. Las patatas se cambian, los fréjoles también. Pero hay cosas que tienen que estar por las orillas, como los arbeyos.
Antes cambiábase too de sitiu. Les tierres que taben de patates poníense de maíz; agora yá lo pongo too igual. Yo, por ejemplo, tengo una güerta namás y prácticamente póngolo too nel mesmu sitiu, pero dicen que si se cambia, da más. Cuando se cosechan las patatas se puede poner una nueva siembra de repollos y son los que mejor y más buenos salen.
Vila Díez, Sara. La huerta ecológica asturiana. Glayiu, 2013.
January is the coldest, wettest, windiest month in Asturias, and even so, there's an 80% chance that every day in the month is above freezing. It's no joke when I say that Asturias has a year round growing season. This is the month for enjoying the best of cool season vegetables, and for planting the first Spring vegetables. Christmas season is over and it's time to think about green peas and early potatoes.
Direct Seed
Transplant/Plant Out
Harvest
- Ajo Puerro - This is traditionally the best time to harvest and enjoy these, but they can be used year round.
- Coles de Bruselas
- Escarola
- Espinaca
- Nabo
- Remolacha
- Zanahoria
Febreru (February)
By the middle of February, the worst of the cold nights are over and everything is starting to warm up. Cold frame seeding can begin (greenhouse seeding is year round). Hardy herbs start to poke their heads back up, and all the hardy veggies that like some cold nights such as Brussels sprouts, spinach, and beets are at their best.
Start Seeds
Direct Seed
Transplant/Plant Out
Harvest
- Ajo Puerro - This is traditionally the best time to harvest and enjoy these, but they can be used year round.
- Coles de Bruselas
- Escarola
- Espinaca
- Nabo
- Remolacha
- Repollo
Marzu (March)
In March Asturias starts to dry out. The winters here are wet and windy, and while there is still plenty of spring rain, it is not as constant as during the winter. Succession planting is in full swing by this point, and most gardens are at capacity. The big summer veggies are being seeded now and we are harvesting the last of the cool season fare. Tomato tunnels are built or repaired, and bean trellises are assembled for the coming season.
Start Seeds
Direct Seed
Transplant/Plant Out
Harvest
- Ajo Puerro - This is traditionally the best time to harvest and enjoy these, but they can be used year round.
- Coles de Bruselas
- Escarola
- Espinaca
- Nabo
- Remolacha
- Repollo - This is traditionally the best time to harvest and enjoy these, but they can be used year round.
Abril (April)
April rarely sees a day below freezing, even in the high mountains. Gardening and field cropping are in full swing. The first flush of spring produce is available, and onions, peppers, tomatoes, and artichoke begin to appear on the table. Summer corn and autumn pumpkins are going in the ground now.
Start Seeds
Direct Seed
Transplant/Plant Out
Harvest
Mayu (May)
Hurray, hurray, the first of May! Outdoor (dining) starts today! Isn't that how the limerick goes? I am probably sleeping with the windows open by now, and gardens need constant attention. It is possible to feed yourself just on garden produce now - and many do. Vacation fever begins to set in, and many plans are made for how to pass the time at the beach or in the village house. In the villages everyone is out, and espichas are a regular occurrence.
Start Seeds
Direct Seed
Transplant/Plant Out
Harvest
Xunu (June)
Summer is in full swing, even though it won't officially be summer until the 21st or so. There's a reason a lot of Europe calls the summer solstice midsummer. Garden produce is abundant, and daily harvesting is necessary. Adaptable cooks stretch their culinary creativity now, and the hidebound wonder what to do with all the things they cannot cook. We start seeds for cool season crops now, and start planting late crop potatoes and a second round of pretty much everything else.
Start Seeds
Direct Seed
Transplant/Plant Out
Harvest
Xunetu (July)
The height of summer sees gardens in Asturias bursting with vegetables. The winter bean crop goes in, cool season greens get started, and so much summer produce comes out and gets cooked. This is the season of fresh vegetable dishes at almost every meal.
Start Seeds
Direct Seed
Transplant/Plant Out
Harvest
Agostu (August)
In a lot of the gardening world, this is the big payoff month. You settle down to enjoying summer vacation and your garden provides and provides and provides. In Asturias we stay just as busy in August as in other months. The cool-season crops needs seed starting, transplanting, and in some cases planting out. Never mind how busy you are if you are canning, drying, or otherwise preserving the harvest.
Start Seeds
Direct Seed
Transplant/Plant Out
Harvest
Setiembre (September)
Winter succession planting starts this month, with brocoli and cauliflower we will transplant in November. The garden is still delivering as much summer produce as in August, and canning is in full swing around my house. The shady protected beds for summer salad greens are given over to flowers and lettuce moves into the main sunny garden plots. The cooler evenings herald the coming big field and orchard harvest, and drying beans are everywhere.
Start Seeds
Direct Seed
Transplant/Plant Out
Harvest
Ochobre (October)
The big field crops that need the most space get harvested now, and hórreos throughout Asturias are groaning under the weight of tons of drying corn. Pumpkins are ready just in time for Samaín and late crop potatoes are dug now. The transition to cool season crops is almost complete, and evening temperatures drop low enough that thoughts turn to firewood and orchard work.
Start Seeds
Direct Seed
Transplant/Plant Out
Harvest
Payares (November)
Winter greens like spinach are the name of the game in November. Root vegetables are abundant this time of year, and the summer compost is ready to be spread on gardens along with a blanket of old straw or hay from the pajar.
Direct Seed
Transplant/Plant Out
Harvest
Avientu (December)
The last of the summer carrots and a new crop of califlower and brocoli help round out the root veggie heavy harvest this time of year. The spring beans and garlic get planted, and planning for the coming potato planting begins. This is the season to repair tools and irrigation, spread firewood ashes on both garden plots and compost piles to replenish lime and potassium.
