Year in review

Root vegetables are a favored foodstuff in my gardens. The satisfying expansiveness of grain without its digestive challenges is reason enough, and the enhanced storage life is a bonus.

Until this year I hadn't been able to grow conventional root vegetables like beets and carrots. Scorzonera, salsify, yacón and so on - no problem. Whether on Long or Harstine Islands, my soil had never the tilth for more conventional garden fare.

In Long Island I was growing vegetables in rehabilitated lawn sod. Over many years I lightened it enough to grow anything but beets and carrots, so I figured the probl...