Whether you have a bumper crop in your own garden or find them
at your local farmers' market, consider freezing cantaloupe,
watermelon, and other melons for eating this winter. Peel and
cut into 3/4-inch pieces, spread on a baking sheet covered with
waxed paper, and freeze. Once frozen, put the pieces in freezer
bags or vacuum-sealed bags and keep in the freezer. When ready
to use, only thaw partially before serving. Once thoroughly
thawed, they become mushy, but when half frozen, these are a
real treat. Frozen melon is also great to use in smoothies.
Plant Cover Crops Using cover crops, or green manure, in
vegetable gardens helps to protect the soil from erosion,
supplies nutrients, adds organic matter, and suppresses weeds.
Fall is a great time to plant a winter cover crop. The best
results are obtained with a mixture of cereal grains and
legumes, as these combine the soil covering and nitrogen-
scavenging abilities of the cereal with the nitrogen-fixing
ability of the legumes. For more information, visit ht