Late May Garden

Shaun has been heard to say that with the success of planting our garden much later than usual this year that we may wait to plant every year!  We actually had to put off planting for a few weeks because of the moisture in the ground where our garden is, plus our work schedules, but mostly the moisture.  We planted last Sunday, May 26th, and because of the moisture still in the ground and the ground temperature being much warmer our plants were sprouting up by Thursday with no rain or watering.  By Friday almost everything we planted was showing signs of life above ground.  Amazing.  Our corn is up, green beans, black eyed peas, rattlesnake peas, zucchini, squash, and pumpkins.  I will venture out this morning to see what else is up and begin hoeing the weeds that are trying to sprout.  I also planted my new herbs and zinnias and cleome that I raised from seed.  I will also proudly state that out of about 65 tomato plants and began all but a six pack from seed this year and they look fantastic so far.  I also began our cabbage and eggplant indoors.  My garlic will be ready to pick on the longest day of the year, June 20th, and judging by the size of the stalks we should have a good crop this year and that's good because I am almost out!  Gardening is so satisfying and so much fun but is a lot of work and maintenance but the rewards can't be beat.  I absolutely cannot wait to have a big fat homegrown tomato sliced up with supper.

 Slight update: my dill pictured is gone and the teeth of a rabbit and it hurts my garden heart.  It ate the stalks and left the leaves and luckily I caught them before they wilted so I can dry them.

Garden Planning

I love spending Winter thoughts planning a Summer garden.  Dreaming about it's outcome.  Not knowing what the following Summer may hold for us.  This past year was very dry and we had to water yet our yield of some was higher than the year before. 

Sometimes I plant things that I don't use.  Things that go to waste and make me feel like I shouldn't have planted so much.  Or sometimes the weeds take over and I loose interest in what I once thought I would enjoy, mainly because I can't find it.  Even though we both do our fair share of hoeing and weeding.  It still gets away from us at some point and time.

Another snafu that I harbor is seeing seedlings come up from the previous year's seed drops and not having the ability to pluck them.  Therefore areas of our garden grow wild.  Especially through my herb and flower section.  It is a beautiful sight and wild and unruly is definitely a part of me and my garden will probably always grow this way... but.

This year, my list of plants to grow from seed, includes my intentions.  While making my list of vegetables and herbs, I noted where they are needed.  Mostly what our freezer is low on already and will need to be replenished.  I have not listed a few of our garden staples like green beans and corn.

 This is from my journal.  2013 Garden Plans.

 

This is from the next page and what I would like to make for my eggplant plants which are experimental in our garden this year so why not experiment with keeping them under control?

I got this idea/picture from the etsy sight that I ordered the seeds from, myvictorygarden. 

 

Over the last several years, I have become a journal person.  I keep notes on books, quotes I like, gardening, recipes and jot things down just to get them off my chest.  I have looked back on my journals on many occasions just for memory's sake!  If you aren't a journal keeping person, consider it.  It is a valuable possession to have.

 

What are your current garden plans?

Growing Fun

Every year, in our garden, I like to grow something fun and different.  Something outside of our regular tomatoes, corn, squash, okra and zucchini and all the other "normal" things that we grow.  Two years ago it was bird house gourds and luffa.  Last year it was Tennessee Twister gourds, luffa again and scarlet runner beans with the addition of flowers to cut and several herbs. 

This year we planted several things that neither of us had any experience with.  So far we have had a small crop out of each new venture.  We have black beans and green peas that have already been harvested.  Sweet potatoes and peanuts that aren't ready to be harvested.  My most exciting are the tomatillos!  So far I have picked five that were ready.  Since they normally grow in hot areas like Mexico I feel our hot summer here in Tennessee has been quite adequate for them to flourish.  I made roasted tomatillo salsa Sunday night that was fantastic (recipe link)  Wonderful taste and very easy to do. 

I am so thankful for my green thumbs and dirt under my fingernails!

Oh my goodness... So good!  We didn't have any tortilla chips so I cut a few flour tortillas and fried them in oil.  Super Yum... UBER!