秋收 (harvest in the fall/autumn), nay, 秋耕 (cultivating in the fall)

Fall is traditionally a harvest time, thus 秋收 (harvest in the fall/autumn).  But, we’re still cultivating the winter veggies, thus 秋耕 (cultivating in the fall).

Our garden is not static.  Clearing up the corn field made space for chrysanthemum leaves (also known as ‘tong ho’ or 茼蒿) and 小白菜 (Pak-choi, Chinese mustard or Chinese white cabbage).  They have come out, waiting to be transplanted when the time comes.

Knowing these are my favorite, Janice asked me why I waited this long to plant.  They do not do well with the hot summer.  In fact, the Taiwanese name of ‘tong ho’ (茼蒿) is (冬兒 or Tần ô), that 冬 is ‘winter’.  Tong-ho leaf is an essential ingredient of Taiwanese oyster omelettes (蚵阿煎)—an exquisite dish.