Jen Fulkerson

Thanks for the very helpful responses.
It sounds like it's fine to grow up the chicken yard fence. It also seems I will likely regret planting it in my raised beds. It wouldn't be too bad if it was a ground cover, but it's a vigorous vine that will choke the life out of anything in its area. Bummer 😕 Oh well what would life be without challenges.
Thank you all.

I enjoy planting new things in my garden. This year I tried Malabar spinach. It grew well even though the heat of the summer, which is impressive since I live in Northern California zone 9B. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either.
I did notice it readily reseeding itself. I was a bit concerned about this, wondering if I would be constantly pulling seedlings next year.
I just learned it's a perennial in my zone. I don't remember reading it was a perennial or invasive, but it may be both. I probably would have still planted it, but I would have planted it in a pot, not my raised bed.
This spring I may try to dig up the tuber and plant it next to the chicken yard. The problem with this idea is I can't seem to find out if the seeds are harmful to chickens. There's lots of information about the leaves, and they are good for chickens. I can't find anything about the seeds. I think I read the berries are fine for humans, but should spit the seeds out, thought I can't find that tonight either, this is not a problem for me, because I didn't like the berries at all. So I'm just not sure it's completely safe.
I'm interested to know if you have grown Malabar spinach. Did it give you any trouble? Are you glad you planted it, or do you wish you hadn't?

Welcome. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous garden.
I'm curious about the jars with red liquid in the bottom picture.

I wouldn't say I'm a Scrooge, but I struggle finding joy in the season. There's just an overwhelming amount of stuff to do, and never enough time or money.
There's a person at work who LOVES Christmas. He and his wife have their tree up and house decorated before Halloween. His joy of the season is infectious.
I enjoy making wood projects. He texted me a picture of one of those deer made  out of firewood/logs. Said if I have time it would be great if I made one for the display where Santa sits, and we let people use for photos. I've been wanting to make one, so It was fun, and my son helped, so even better. It got a great response from lots of people. I even got a request for 2 a customer wanted to buy., (I just didn't have time) It made me feel good.
Last week the person who asked me to make it (the Christmas guy) wanted to know what I would charge for the deer? I told him he could have it. He was so happy. This week he told me he was going to take it home after Santa came. He said his wife is very excited.
Their joy in this simple gift has given me a boost I really needed.
Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you find joy this season

thanks Barbara. I will keep trying to think of an alternative. My property is . 99 of an acre, so not that big compared to some, but all the gardening is done by me myself and I. I keep adding more and more, so it's a lot especially since I live in Northern California, and hand water.
I've tried cardboard, it works, but needs to be redone every year. as

Microclimate is a word you hear a lot in the permaculture world. I understand the basic concept, but I don't think I realized I could intentionally create a microclimate. It kind of blows my mind, and makes me want to try a bunch of different ways to create Little individual areas. ( When time allows)
We have had a very mild fall. Between that and being busy and behind I have not removed all of my tomato plants. We are finally getting some cold weather. All but one of my marigolds have died. The marigold next to one of my massive tomato plants is alive and blooming. I doubt it will survive much longer, but it's cool to see if still blooming. It brought home the microclimate concept.

I grew garlic 24/25. It wasn't very successful. I think I didn't water enough in the spring. Then realized my mistake and probably watered to much. What I did get was very small, and a lot of the foliage had died back, so I think I missed a bunch.  
A little late, but still in the acceptable window for  my zone I was planting garlic today. I have a bunch of volunteers. I decided to remove them. I doubt they would grow all bunched together the way they were. Being a waist not want not kind of person I replanted them. I separated them, and planted around my raised beds. I don't know if they will survive. If they survive I'm not sure they will produce bulbs. I figured I have nothing to loose. If they survive, it's a win no matter what. Even if they don't make a decent bulb, we can eat the greens, and they are a great pest control
Time will tell.

It's advantages to over winter peppers. They produce so much earlier than when they are started from seed
I don't enjoy the process. Dig it out, prune it way back. Put it in the greenhouse. Keep it watered, but not much water. It takes up space. Some make it, some don't (it's getting better each year,) I decided to try overwinter a couple in place. I pruned it back, used a bunch of shredded cardboard to heavily mulch, and put a clear plastic bin over them. I don't know if it will work, but it's worth a try.

Unfortunately I have not figured out a way to defeat Bermuda grass. I don't know what kind it is (native to N. California) but it's my nemesis for sure!!!
I can tell you I had my entire garden at one time covered in weed cloth with about 4" to 6" of wood chips on top.  I still battled Bermuda. I don't think it can push through the weed cloth, but any seam, edge or rip it will find it and come through.  When I redid my garden I removed the weed cloth and there was a solid mass of Bermuda roots.
I still use weed cloth. I know Permies people hate weed cloth, and I understand why. I try very hard to use as little plastic as possible. Without it gardening becomes constant miserable work. I've tried cardboard, wood chips, and a combination of both. It does help, but only for a few months.
I would love to find a good alternative to weed cloth. I think I may try to get a few cotton sheets at the thrift store and see if it works, and  how long will it last before if breaks down. It will be an interesting experiment.
Good luck, do what you need to do to grow what makes you happy.

I checked on the compost, and it's looking good. It's totally cooled down. It's a nice dark color, only an earthy smell, and besides the wood chips no distinguishable parts. It's right when I expected it to be. With any luck and the help of the composting critters I should have some great compost by spring.

I have a bunch of projects to get done, but I hope to start a new pile soon. I have a ton of material, I just need the time to chop up the garden debris, and put it all together.