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>Gearing Up For Fall

July 30, 2009 by Laura

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It’s hard to think about fall in the midst of this brutal summer, but it’s right around the corner in gardening years. Last week I picked up cedar for my new raised beds and last weekend my friend Rudy helped me build them. I have three new 2″X12″ 4’X10′ beds. We made them w/ the mortis and tenon style to match my other beds.

I also built a new bean tent. My neighbor gave me some fencing from a dog run she had in the back yard. It was made of thick gage wire and pressure-treated pine. Obviously the pine wasn’t going in the veggie garden, so I cut the wood off and will have enough wire for 3 tents in total. I put the beans where the zucchini used to be. The squash-vine borers hit again and I just didn’t have the energy to fend them off. Plus, the zucchini was coming in really hard, which I read can happen when the plant gets too established.
This week I trimmed back the tomatoes. The brandywine had stopped producing, the romas are almost done, and the cherries are still producing quite a bit, but the flavor is severely lacking. I also planted 4 new bell pepper plants in place of the swiss chard that was desimated by caterpillars.
Tonight I plan on planting some seeds. I have kohlrabi, radishes and lettuce. I still need to pick up more, but it’s a start.
I included a picture of the okra, just because it deserves the spotlight. These plants have been solid producers through this heat. I’ve been eating them, pickling them, and giving a ton away. I will definitely be repeating these!

Posted in Fall | 1 Comment »

>Bloom Day July Edition – What’s Dead in the Garden

July 15, 2009 by Laura

>With this heat wave and drought it’s not easy to show what’s blooming. Walking around this morning it was much easier to find what is dead or dying.

Columbine –
bought at the Wildflower Center sale this year, has never bloomed

Fig Tree –
Not dead, but looking sad. Come on! This is a fig tree.


Looks like the squash-vine borer has hit again. I just don’t have the energy to dig them out anymore.

Here’s the culprit, the adult SVB. I found him hanging out on the okra.

Hot and Spicy Oregano –
Barely hanging on.

Mums –
I’ve had the plant for two years, but I don’t think it will survive the summer.

One sad lamb’s ear

White Penta – or should I say brown

Daylily –
Not only is it unhappy with the weather, but it appears someone
attempted to dig it out last night.

Tithonia –
These are supposed to need very little water, but they have just been so thirsty in this heat. I refuse to water them more than once a week and I really don’t think that will be enough.

Nasturtium –
Faint signs of life.

One bright spot –
The coneflowers are doing great. You can also see cosmos in the background.
I’ll be planting more of both of these next year.

Posted in bloom day | 1 Comment »

>Recipes Week Ending 6/21

June 21, 2009 by Laura

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I’m going to start keeping track of recipes I cook w/ the garden veggies. These are self creations, often inspired by ideas from cookbooks or the internet. I don’t put amounts since I never measure. I just go on appearance and taste. I’ll also start taking pictures next week.
Two Bean Salad
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Fresh veggies used – butter beans, green beans, cherry tomatoes, onion
Cook onion and bacon

Boil butter beans for 20-25 minutes (until tender)

During last five minutes throw in kitchen sliced green beans
Quarter cherry tomatoes
For dressing, mix together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, fresh cilantro
Pico de Gallo
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fresh veggies used – romas, cherry tomatoes, red onion, mexican lime, serrano pepper
Chop up tomatoes, pepper, onion, a few cloves of garlic, cilantro
Blend together using “stir” level
Add lime juice, salt
Layered Zucchini/Tomato Bake – My new Favorite Dish
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fresh veggies used – zucchini, romas
Cut zucchini and tomatoes in slices. Make tomatoes about 1 1/2 – 2 times as thick as the zucchini, since the tomatoes seem to cook faster.
Layer zucchini, drizzle with olive oil, add salt and pepper
Layer tomatoes
Repeat 
Sprinkle top w/ bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
Bake in oven at 350. I can’t remember how long, I think around 30 minutes.
Cajun Chicken Tacos
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fresh veggies used – okra, romas, onion, jalapeno or serrano pepper, corn
Shred a rotisserie purchased chicken
Cook onion, okra, pepper, garlic for a few minutes
Add tomatoes (crushed consistency) and cajun spices (cayenne, paprika, chili powder)
Cook for a while until okra is soft
Add corn and chicken to warm through
Put mixture in tortillas, yum!
Succotash
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fresh veggies used – butter beans, corn, onion, cherry tomatoes, can also use zucchini or squash 
Running out of time – will do quick version
Cook veggies
Make white sauce
Mix and serve over rice, sprinkle with cherry tomato halves and cris bacon pieces

Posted in recipes | 1 Comment »

>Flower Pics

June 20, 2009 by Laura

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I missed bloom day this month since I had just returned from a trip to Washington DC / Virginia. I thought I’d post a few pics anyway, since there’s been some good stuff happening in the garden.

Sweet Potato Flower

Bat-Face Cuphea

Bat-Face Cuphea

Cosmos – 
I got this flower from the horticulture club at my daughter’s school.

Coneflower
This plant was in the backyard last year and didn’t do well. It was too shady and only produced one flower. This spring we moved it to the front yard and the results are awesome.

Zinnia

Lantana – Finally blooming

Posted in coneflower, cosmos, cuphea, lantana, sweet potato, zinnia | Leave a Comment »

>Homemade Pickles

June 20, 2009 by Laura

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I planted cucumbers for the first time this year in hopes of making pickles. The type I grew is actually called “homemade pickles”.  When I first looked online at recipes I was overwhelmed. Since I’ve never pickled before the task seemed daunting. I found a video on youtube and after watching it didn’t seem so difficult. My first two attempts were flops. The first came out way too salty. The second came out with way too much vinegar. I had also run out of white so I decide to try cider vinegar, which I had seen used in several recipes. Yuck! We quickly learned that we are not fans of cider vinegar pickles. Both batches were also mushy.
Finally, last night after two weeks of waiting we tried the third batch. Winner! This one was the perfect mix of salt, vinegar and very crisp. It seems the trick is learning what ratios you like. We decided that we like a 3:1 water to vinegar.
Here’s the recipe… (Makes 2 quarts)
Soak 4 cucumbers for 2 hours in ice bath. This is where the crispness comes from.
Make brine w/ 3 cups water, 1 cup white vinegar, 1/6 cup pickling salt. I also added a bunch of peppercorns and red pepper flakes. The red pepper flakes do add a bit of a spice to the pickles, but don’t change the flavor like adding whole peppers does. Bring the brine to a boil at the same time that you are boiling the jars.
Wash the jars and lids with soap and hot water. Boil the jars for 10 minutes. 
Cut the cucs in spears and place in the boiled jars. Pour the brine over the top, covering by an inch or so. Add 2 garlic cloves and 2-3 dill sprigs per jar. Put on lids, tighten and boil for another 15 minutes. (The water should still be boiling from the previous step)
That’s all there is to it. I waited two weeks to open the jar and last night an entire quart of pickles disappeared!

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