Last year, right before I had finally had it and hacked the thing to pieces, Tess discovered that she really really liked vegetables in the form of my entire summer squash plant. Not just the fruit, all of it. Sure, table scraps and the occasional lost pea were fine, but now she knew where they came from.
I spent the rest of the year trying to keep her from chewing on the remaining parts of the squash and eventually having to beat her off with a Brussels sprout stalk to keep her from eating the stalk, sprouts and all.
I have a weird dog.
This year she's been moderately unaware of the garden's presence. That was until the cucumber.
While taking her out for a potty break right after we got home from work, I wandered over to the cucumbers. I've had a lot of flowers, but nothing looked like it was really taking off. Imagine my surprise when I had a nice perfectly pickable cucumber right there on the vine.
So I picked it. Then Tess went absolutely nuts.
It was all she could focus on. Even after I peeled and sliced it for the other cucumber lover in the house (we planted them at M's request), even after we ate it, she was still looking everywhere for it.
Her obsession with the garden has returned.
My only real concern is that once we have ripe cherry tomatoes, we won't be able to leave her alone in the back yard for a second. They are perfectly sized for small terrier mouths.
Showing posts with label square foot garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label square foot garden. Show all posts
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Promises Promises
While the brocoli has been disappointing, and the kale is slow to get started, everything else is coming along like hotcakes.
I have wee little vegetables showing up all over the place. The promise of cucumbers and tomatoes to come.
I know, the peas and beans aren't far behind. The peppers need a little heat to get their groove on, but they'll get there.
In the mean time, I am amusing myself with the lillies.
I have wee little vegetables showing up all over the place. The promise of cucumbers and tomatoes to come.
I know, the peas and beans aren't far behind. The peppers need a little heat to get their groove on, but they'll get there.
In the mean time, I am amusing myself with the lillies.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Weekend Garden Tales
It has been a good weekend around here. Yesterday we got out to the Farmer's Market (original Minneapolis one this week) and got snow peas, kale, cilantro, strawberries and green garlic. We napped while it rained and ended on a high note in St. Paul having dinner at Boca Chica's Taco House. (35 years that place has been around, and people are still discovering the awesome salsa)
The garden is doing really well. The tomatoes in the new beds are twice the size of the two in last year's bed. I think that means I needed to add more compost to the old beds each year. For now, I'll fertilize a bit.
The peas are loving their trellis. Most of them have started to hang on. I have a feeling we'll have peas in a week or so.
The garden is doing really well. The tomatoes in the new beds are twice the size of the two in last year's bed. I think that means I needed to add more compost to the old beds each year. For now, I'll fertilize a bit.
The peas are loving their trellis. Most of them have started to hang on. I have a feeling we'll have peas in a week or so.
One of last year's onions was missed, so I'm letting it head out for seed. Well, and because it looks cool.
We at the first radishes from our garden. I cannot get over how much more buttery a really fresh radish is. We'll try roasting them when we have a larger crop.
The cucumbers are doing really well. They're starting to climb their trellis, and we have the beginnings of a lot of cucumbers. I suspect I may have pickling in my future based on the current flower count. M has other ideas though. Cucumbers have turned in to one of her favorite foods.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Recyclable Pea Trellis
Last year was the year of the small plants in four packs. Last year I purchased things that people didn't even know you could get in four packs at the nursery. (Beans, peas, brussels sprouts) This year, I was determined to save some money and plant from seed. While I didn't get going quite as early as I wanted to, I didn't do too bad.
I planted peas, beans, radishes, beats, broccoli, sun flowers, and cilantro. So far, everything has come up. The broccoli isn't doing so hot, and I'm not sure if one row entirely didn't just poop out on me. However, I am hopeful that some of it actually produces something, otherwise it is a lot of wasted space. The radishes are now thinned to the point where I am just waiting for them to mature. I didn't get any radish sprout salad this year, some three year old ate all of them while I was thinning... The sunflowers and beans are good, each about four inches tall. The beets are coming slowly, but that is expected.
Since I am trying to do more this year, but spend less money, I thought I would show off my new pea trellis. Last year I bought two three foot tall trellises at Target in their garden section. They were not wide enough for my row of peas, so I strung twine between them. It worked OK, but the twine stretched out when it was wet. I could have just gone out and tried to find more to fill in this year, but if I remember correctly, they weren't cheap.
So, I took the same two small trellises, used some really straight sticks from trimming our tree earlier this year, and created a more stable structure between them. Most of the branches are either a single straight branch, or a stable Y shape. They were slightly green when I put them in, so I was able to weave them in and out. Since peas aren't all that heavy of plants, this should hold up. I didn't use this method for my cucumbers since they can get heavy. Bonus, it is completely recyclable. If I hadn't had the metal ones from last year, I think I could have totally done with just the sticks.
The last picture is from today. They are just about ready to grab on. I'll take pictures as their season continues, since I think on top of everything, it will be a cool look.
I planted peas, beans, radishes, beats, broccoli, sun flowers, and cilantro. So far, everything has come up. The broccoli isn't doing so hot, and I'm not sure if one row entirely didn't just poop out on me. However, I am hopeful that some of it actually produces something, otherwise it is a lot of wasted space. The radishes are now thinned to the point where I am just waiting for them to mature. I didn't get any radish sprout salad this year, some three year old ate all of them while I was thinning... The sunflowers and beans are good, each about four inches tall. The beets are coming slowly, but that is expected.
Since I am trying to do more this year, but spend less money, I thought I would show off my new pea trellis. Last year I bought two three foot tall trellises at Target in their garden section. They were not wide enough for my row of peas, so I strung twine between them. It worked OK, but the twine stretched out when it was wet. I could have just gone out and tried to find more to fill in this year, but if I remember correctly, they weren't cheap.
So, I took the same two small trellises, used some really straight sticks from trimming our tree earlier this year, and created a more stable structure between them. Most of the branches are either a single straight branch, or a stable Y shape. They were slightly green when I put them in, so I was able to weave them in and out. Since peas aren't all that heavy of plants, this should hold up. I didn't use this method for my cucumbers since they can get heavy. Bonus, it is completely recyclable. If I hadn't had the metal ones from last year, I think I could have totally done with just the sticks.
The last picture is from today. They are just about ready to grab on. I'll take pictures as their season continues, since I think on top of everything, it will be a cool look.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Build It Then Fill It
Now that you have a box to grow your garden in, time for what is next.
Where do you put it:
We originally went with container gardens because the spot for the garden just happened to be where we had just taken out a tree. The ground was shot and covered in pine needles. Do you know how painful pine needles are when they accidentally lodge in the hands while you're working dirt? All I did to get things ready for the containers was lay some weed block down underneath the containers. It keeps weeds from coming up and the plants from going down in to soil that is not as nutrient rich. It also allows drainage. Which brings me to the next point. They need to be basically level. Not perfectly, but basically. Since all I had was a pile of needle ridden dirt, I just moved it around until it was basically right. If you look at my first three containers, you will note that some are higher than others. That was on purpose.
If you want to do this on a hill, consider creating terraced containers. They would need to be longer, with the narrow side going up the slope, mitigating the slope to some effect. If it is a steep enough hill, you may need to do actual terracing.
Avoid putting them in a low spot in your yard. As in, one where water pools when it rains. Too much water could cause root rot.
This year, I put the boxes on (very weedy) grass. To deal with the grass around them, so I don't have to mow, now that I have things in place I'm going to kill it off or cover it with weed block and mulch (as soon as I can afford mulch).
What to fill it with:
I use a mix of a third to a half peat moss, and the rest compost. My composting adventure has not gone well for a variety of reasons, so I buy mine from the Depot. I get the compost plus manure, Mushroom Compost, and if I'm feeling rich, Moonure. Composting manure does crazy thing to plants. My uncle's composting horse manure grew the largest tomatoes I had seen before the 7 foot tall monsters I had last year.
I get enough for a good six inches of mix in each box. (that works out to about 8 cubic feet) This year, I skimped a little on the peat moss and used half a bag (it expands, a lot), and five bags of compost for each box. The peat moss helps add air and moisture retention that you would not get with straight compost. Compost alone can also be almost too rich for some plants. Not including the extra compost I got to help amend the older boxes and where I did some plantings by the house, two boxes worth cost me 30 bucks. If I had a trailer and lived in a city where they sell their compost, it would have been a lot less.
Planting Strategies:
Ignore the information on the packets, sort of. You have nutrient rich soil so the largest concern becomes spacing plants so they get sun and don't stunt each others growth. This is where I suppose if I bought either of the books on the subject I might have more specifics. Instead, I sort of wing it. I mix heights so that things get good sun. I plant in rows going East to West because that maximizes the sun for the different heights. I thin things, but not as much as the seed packets. Worst case, if something isn't working, I can always take out another plant or too. Much harder to put them back. The only other thing I pay attention to is nightshades. If you want tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant, make sure you have at least two boxes. Rotate these crops so that they are never in the same box two years in a row. If you can do three years, even better.
It is entirely possible that the seven foot tall tomatoes were a fluke. I am hoping they were not. If they were, I may just be full of it.
Where do you put it:
We originally went with container gardens because the spot for the garden just happened to be where we had just taken out a tree. The ground was shot and covered in pine needles. Do you know how painful pine needles are when they accidentally lodge in the hands while you're working dirt? All I did to get things ready for the containers was lay some weed block down underneath the containers. It keeps weeds from coming up and the plants from going down in to soil that is not as nutrient rich. It also allows drainage. Which brings me to the next point. They need to be basically level. Not perfectly, but basically. Since all I had was a pile of needle ridden dirt, I just moved it around until it was basically right. If you look at my first three containers, you will note that some are higher than others. That was on purpose.
If you want to do this on a hill, consider creating terraced containers. They would need to be longer, with the narrow side going up the slope, mitigating the slope to some effect. If it is a steep enough hill, you may need to do actual terracing.
Avoid putting them in a low spot in your yard. As in, one where water pools when it rains. Too much water could cause root rot.
This year, I put the boxes on (very weedy) grass. To deal with the grass around them, so I don't have to mow, now that I have things in place I'm going to kill it off or cover it with weed block and mulch (as soon as I can afford mulch).
What to fill it with:
I use a mix of a third to a half peat moss, and the rest compost. My composting adventure has not gone well for a variety of reasons, so I buy mine from the Depot. I get the compost plus manure, Mushroom Compost, and if I'm feeling rich, Moonure. Composting manure does crazy thing to plants. My uncle's composting horse manure grew the largest tomatoes I had seen before the 7 foot tall monsters I had last year.
I get enough for a good six inches of mix in each box. (that works out to about 8 cubic feet) This year, I skimped a little on the peat moss and used half a bag (it expands, a lot), and five bags of compost for each box. The peat moss helps add air and moisture retention that you would not get with straight compost. Compost alone can also be almost too rich for some plants. Not including the extra compost I got to help amend the older boxes and where I did some plantings by the house, two boxes worth cost me 30 bucks. If I had a trailer and lived in a city where they sell their compost, it would have been a lot less.
Planting Strategies:
Ignore the information on the packets, sort of. You have nutrient rich soil so the largest concern becomes spacing plants so they get sun and don't stunt each others growth. This is where I suppose if I bought either of the books on the subject I might have more specifics. Instead, I sort of wing it. I mix heights so that things get good sun. I plant in rows going East to West because that maximizes the sun for the different heights. I thin things, but not as much as the seed packets. Worst case, if something isn't working, I can always take out another plant or too. Much harder to put them back. The only other thing I pay attention to is nightshades. If you want tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant, make sure you have at least two boxes. Rotate these crops so that they are never in the same box two years in a row. If you can do three years, even better.
It is entirely possible that the seven foot tall tomatoes were a fluke. I am hoping they were not. If they were, I may just be full of it.
How to Build a Square Foot/Container Garden
Gardening is easy, I swear it is. You see, you don't have to get a rototiller and dig up and work on amending soil that used to be grass, or used to be who knows what kind of dumping ground for burned garbage (the place my parents put their garden when we moved in to town).
You can build up, and it is easy, and relatively cheap. Total cost for the box, less than $20, and they last for years.
Supplies:
2" x 10" x 8 Ft. boards. Pine is fine, but you want it untreated. This is for making a 4 ' x 4' or 2' x 6' box. The minimum soil depth should be 4-6", so you can get by with a 6" tall board, but I like the 10" height because it makes some extra room for mixing, they are heavy enough to not need any other staking. Also, even if you are making more than one, don't go with the longer boards. Longer warps, and makes assembly hard. Cost: $7.75 each
8 small brackets (from the decking area) These should be L brackets. They make longer ones you could use one each, but I am cheap, and it was easier to get two small per. Cost: $1.08 each
1" wood screws, a big plastic pack of them. You need at least 32, and likely at least one will be bad. Buy the big box, you'll use them. Cost: Not sure, we had a big box.
A power drill/screw driver. If you have something like my very large cordless Ryobi, make sure you knock down the torque to be right for screws instead of drilling. If you don't have a good drill, why not? Really? Even single girls in apartments need drills.
1. Get the board cut at the store. Home Depot will do one cut for free, per board I think. I've never been charged. This was my 2'x6' box.
Screw the short side of the brackets on to the boards. Since I wanted to get the most out of my 2 foot width, I did the brackets like this. For the 4' x 4' box, I did the assembly more like this. So one on each of the left sides of the boards.
After attaching all of the short sides of the brackets, I then attach the long sides of the brackets. If you're doing this like I did, you can leave the long sides on the ground. If you do a square box, I would recommend just keeping things on the ground. I sat in the middle and just did the whole thing from there.
Ever wonder why you do the short sides then the long sides, it is so you can fit your drill in to the tighter space you are doing the final assembly.
When you have attached one side, flip it up and do the other side. (again, with a square box, leave it on the ground and if you need, just get someone to brace the other side to make the screwing easier.
Ta-da!!!
This is already a photo heavy post, so I'm continuing this tomorrow to talk about placement, what to fill it with, and planting strategies.
You can build up, and it is easy, and relatively cheap. Total cost for the box, less than $20, and they last for years.
Supplies:
2" x 10" x 8 Ft. boards. Pine is fine, but you want it untreated. This is for making a 4 ' x 4' or 2' x 6' box. The minimum soil depth should be 4-6", so you can get by with a 6" tall board, but I like the 10" height because it makes some extra room for mixing, they are heavy enough to not need any other staking. Also, even if you are making more than one, don't go with the longer boards. Longer warps, and makes assembly hard. Cost: $7.75 each
8 small brackets (from the decking area) These should be L brackets. They make longer ones you could use one each, but I am cheap, and it was easier to get two small per. Cost: $1.08 each
1" wood screws, a big plastic pack of them. You need at least 32, and likely at least one will be bad. Buy the big box, you'll use them. Cost: Not sure, we had a big box.
A power drill/screw driver. If you have something like my very large cordless Ryobi, make sure you knock down the torque to be right for screws instead of drilling. If you don't have a good drill, why not? Really? Even single girls in apartments need drills.
1. Get the board cut at the store. Home Depot will do one cut for free, per board I think. I've never been charged. This was my 2'x6' box.
Screw the short side of the brackets on to the boards. Since I wanted to get the most out of my 2 foot width, I did the brackets like this. For the 4' x 4' box, I did the assembly more like this. So one on each of the left sides of the boards.
After attaching all of the short sides of the brackets, I then attach the long sides of the brackets. If you're doing this like I did, you can leave the long sides on the ground. If you do a square box, I would recommend just keeping things on the ground. I sat in the middle and just did the whole thing from there.
Ever wonder why you do the short sides then the long sides, it is so you can fit your drill in to the tighter space you are doing the final assembly.
When you have attached one side, flip it up and do the other side. (again, with a square box, leave it on the ground and if you need, just get someone to brace the other side to make the screwing easier.
Ta-da!!!This is already a photo heavy post, so I'm continuing this tomorrow to talk about placement, what to fill it with, and planting strategies.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Busy Little Bee
What happens when you have an early Spring, followed by like five days of cold, rain, and maybe a little snow, then a super nice weekend right when the Minnesotan's should be planting?
Catch-up.
This weekends accomplishments include but are not limited to:
Got a new phone that allows me to be more connected, even when, ummm, working.
Going to the Mill City Market (OMG, how did it take this long for me to find this gem!!!) for the first time and partaking of some amazing Banh Mi from Dim Sum Street. We also had Indian Spiced Donuts from The Chef Shack. For later (read, breakfast tomorrow) I have two tarts from Queen of Tarts (who clearly need a website with a name that cool).
All of the above was thanks to needing to pick up our first meat CSA delivery from Brauchers Sunshine Harvest Farm. So far we have had some sausage patties, and they do not disappoint. We are having hamburgers tomorrow.
Hit Johnstock (part of the Art-a-Whirl activities in NE) and ran in to the always wonderful Andrea. Who I happened to know was at Crafty Planet (I was already headed that direction) thanks to mobile Twitter. Hee. We got M some pony tail holders that if she ever listens she will get to wear. I also got a new necklace and a Wonder Woman zipper pouch. Totally psyched about my cool recycled pouch.
Got a run in. (C25K Week 4 - Day 2, still alive, so it must be working)
Made my first trip to Home Depot to buy 32 board feet of 10 x 2's to build two new raised gardens, sixteen brackets to hold the boards together, and some compost & peat moss.
Built one of the new containers.
Added some compost to existing beds and planted 8 pepper plants, four cucumbers and two tomatoes. Oh, and some basil, parsley and rosemary.
Played around with the new phone some.
Worked Sunday morning including a trip to the office where M got to go with and watch HD PBS Kids in the break room (I will now quit mocking the need for TV's in the break room).
Made breakfast with the sausage from Brauchers, pancakes and a sauce made from local rhubarb we got at the market. Oh, and lattes too. Mmmm...
Made another container for the garden.
Went to Home Depot again for another 400* pounds of compost and gas for the grill (stinker ran out in the middle of grilling the onions Saturday night).
Finished filling the beds with compost & peat moss. Got a call from a friend who had extra dirt. Added some of that, and planted four more tomatoes, and from seeds, beans, peas, radishes, broccoli (why yes, I am crazy), beets, sunflowers and cilantro.
Mowed two thirds of the yard.
Made dinner, it was tasty.
Resisted temptation to reward myself for a busy active day and didn't have a beer or a coke (though I may still have the beer)
Went grocery shopping. (hate it when staples like bandaids, ibuprofin and tissues blow your budget)
Now, some laundry, dishes, and yeah, I think I'll have that beer. (good micro brew stuff from out East that we love, a special treat for someone like me who rarely drinks)
*If you count just the compost bags, which cumulatively around 500 pounds. I figure I moved each bag at least four times (Depot to cart, cart to car, car to wheelbarrow (easy slide to the ground) and then the finally dump in place). Which means when you figure in the wood, the extra dirt, etc, I figure that I lifted and moved around close to a ton and a half, maybe two tons this weekend. Holy bananas!!!
**Don't forget your sun screen. No matter how nice it is, if you're outside for longer than like half an hour, wear it. Just think of my fat red arms to remind you.
Catch-up.
This weekends accomplishments include but are not limited to:
Got a new phone that allows me to be more connected, even when, ummm, working.
Going to the Mill City Market (OMG, how did it take this long for me to find this gem!!!) for the first time and partaking of some amazing Banh Mi from Dim Sum Street. We also had Indian Spiced Donuts from The Chef Shack. For later (read, breakfast tomorrow) I have two tarts from Queen of Tarts (who clearly need a website with a name that cool).
All of the above was thanks to needing to pick up our first meat CSA delivery from Brauchers Sunshine Harvest Farm. So far we have had some sausage patties, and they do not disappoint. We are having hamburgers tomorrow.
Hit Johnstock (part of the Art-a-Whirl activities in NE) and ran in to the always wonderful Andrea. Who I happened to know was at Crafty Planet (I was already headed that direction) thanks to mobile Twitter. Hee. We got M some pony tail holders that if she ever listens she will get to wear. I also got a new necklace and a Wonder Woman zipper pouch. Totally psyched about my cool recycled pouch.
Got a run in. (C25K Week 4 - Day 2, still alive, so it must be working)
Made my first trip to Home Depot to buy 32 board feet of 10 x 2's to build two new raised gardens, sixteen brackets to hold the boards together, and some compost & peat moss.
Built one of the new containers.
Added some compost to existing beds and planted 8 pepper plants, four cucumbers and two tomatoes. Oh, and some basil, parsley and rosemary.
Played around with the new phone some.
Worked Sunday morning including a trip to the office where M got to go with and watch HD PBS Kids in the break room (I will now quit mocking the need for TV's in the break room).
Made breakfast with the sausage from Brauchers, pancakes and a sauce made from local rhubarb we got at the market. Oh, and lattes too. Mmmm...
Made another container for the garden.
Went to Home Depot again for another 400* pounds of compost and gas for the grill (stinker ran out in the middle of grilling the onions Saturday night).
Finished filling the beds with compost & peat moss. Got a call from a friend who had extra dirt. Added some of that, and planted four more tomatoes, and from seeds, beans, peas, radishes, broccoli (why yes, I am crazy), beets, sunflowers and cilantro.
Mowed two thirds of the yard.
Made dinner, it was tasty.
Resisted temptation to reward myself for a busy active day and didn't have a beer or a coke (though I may still have the beer)
Went grocery shopping. (hate it when staples like bandaids, ibuprofin and tissues blow your budget)
Now, some laundry, dishes, and yeah, I think I'll have that beer. (good micro brew stuff from out East that we love, a special treat for someone like me who rarely drinks)
*If you count just the compost bags, which cumulatively around 500 pounds. I figure I moved each bag at least four times (Depot to cart, cart to car, car to wheelbarrow (easy slide to the ground) and then the finally dump in place). Which means when you figure in the wood, the extra dirt, etc, I figure that I lifted and moved around close to a ton and a half, maybe two tons this weekend. Holy bananas!!!
**Don't forget your sun screen. No matter how nice it is, if you're outside for longer than like half an hour, wear it. Just think of my fat red arms to remind you.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Fruits of My Labors
This is a post mostly for my friend Pusher. These are the Brussels sprouts I grew. We finally harvested them today, I just couldn't wait any longer. They were so tiny (apparently they don't like fighting for sun with a summer squash on steroids) but because of the freezes, they were so sweet. I could have eaten all of them myself, but I had to share with A and M. I even saved a few for tomorrow at work.
You have to grow them next year, dear. They are seriously easy.
In case you haven't noticed, I'm doing IComLeavWe. Hosted by the wonderful Melissa Ford. I can honestly say I wish I didn't have to know who Melissa was. Not that she isn't entirely wonderful (she is, I met her this summer at BlogHer) but because it means that in my case, so many of my friends have struggled with fertility issues. It seems entirely unfair because I should have, and I got lucky. Based on everything I know now about my health issues, it is especially true. I introduced myself to Melissa this summer because of one friend (one of A's old roommates) and then found out weeks later I should have gotten another book for another friend.
Those two friends are both dealing with stuff so serious, so crappy, that if it were me, I am not sure it wouldn't have broken me, at least a little. However, they are so brave, so gracious, and they deserve to not have to go through what they are going through. Ladies, I'm thinking of you, a lot. Nothing but positive energy in your general direction.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Difference of a Day
Last night was a hard freeze, so everything changed in the garden.
Some of the drops from yesterday were still there, but frozen.
The kale is really dark now.
I may be able to still harvest some of the tiny Brussels sprouts. They are small, but should taste amazing.
Well, it used to be lettuce. Now it is just pretty.
Some of the drops from yesterday were still there, but frozen.
The kale is really dark now. 
I may be able to still harvest some of the tiny Brussels sprouts. They are small, but should taste amazing.
Well, it used to be lettuce. Now it is just pretty.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
End of the Gardening Season
I love cold crops, and how they hang on so long. It has been mild, so the kale is still OK, as are the Brussels sprouts. It rained last night, leaving some pretty cool photos.
Head of the brussel sprouts with the flash on.
Kale with the flash on. It went from having green to being all dark purple. I tried to take some without the flash, but it was so dark, I couldn't get the shutter speed fast enough or stand still enough.
Brussels sprout head without flash. The rain drops were just amazing. It was so still and the rain was so light and steady that they were everywhere.
Head of the brussel sprouts with the flash on.
Kale with the flash on. It went from having green to being all dark purple. I tried to take some without the flash, but it was so dark, I couldn't get the shutter speed fast enough or stand still enough.
Brussels sprout head without flash. The rain drops were just amazing. It was so still and the rain was so light and steady that they were everywhere.
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Giant Kale
This is the kale plant in my garden. For reasons I cannot explain, it is my favorite vegetable. However, this is a decorative variety. Edible I am sure, but mostly meant to be pretty.
It was supposed to be a lovely 17 to 19 inches tall.
It will is nearly 5 feet tall. I guess after the six and a half foot tall tomatoes I shouldn't be shocked. Still, it just keeps getting taller. Maybe it is fighting for light besides the super tall tomatoes. No matter what, I love it. It continues to be great for taking pictures and making me happy.
* There is a part of this that some people will get more than others. I just ask that those of you that get it, don't give it away. Just get a good giggle at the expense of my garden.
It was supposed to be a lovely 17 to 19 inches tall.
It will is nearly 5 feet tall. I guess after the six and a half foot tall tomatoes I shouldn't be shocked. Still, it just keeps getting taller. Maybe it is fighting for light besides the super tall tomatoes. No matter what, I love it. It continues to be great for taking pictures and making me happy.
* There is a part of this that some people will get more than others. I just ask that those of you that get it, don't give it away. Just get a good giggle at the expense of my garden.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Pickle Me This
If I had my way, I would be spending the entirety of my vacation this year pickling everything in sight. I am hopelessly enamored with preserved vegetables. If there was fruit in season, I would be making jams as well. As it is, I have already done another five jars of tomato jam and I have plans to do more.
This is a dill pickled cauliflower with carrots, garlic, sweet red pepper and cayenne. When I bought jalapenos for pickling (yes, I did those too) I asked the lovely farmer's to let me have a half dozen or so beautiful cayenne peppers. I ended up with eight pints, so some will be more mild, but I don't care. Cauliflower is more dense than a green bean, so these will need to sit. Despite what anyone in my family may be thinking, these are mine, all mine.
Add also to the list of things I have "put away", four or so pints of jalapenos, half a dozen pints of a salsa that while I do not love, will no doubt make a good base for such things as chili, five more half pints of jam, and as we speak, jars are heating up for pints of tomatoes. They are once again overflowing the kitchen counter, and I just had to do something.
This is a dill pickled cauliflower with carrots, garlic, sweet red pepper and cayenne. When I bought jalapenos for pickling (yes, I did those too) I asked the lovely farmer's to let me have a half dozen or so beautiful cayenne peppers. I ended up with eight pints, so some will be more mild, but I don't care. Cauliflower is more dense than a green bean, so these will need to sit. Despite what anyone in my family may be thinking, these are mine, all mine.
Add also to the list of things I have "put away", four or so pints of jalapenos, half a dozen pints of a salsa that while I do not love, will no doubt make a good base for such things as chili, five more half pints of jam, and as we speak, jars are heating up for pints of tomatoes. They are once again overflowing the kitchen counter, and I just had to do something.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
We be Tomato Jammin'
A has said that he has no interest in even trying the jam. Apparently I never talked to him about it, I just went for it with a single minded pursuit of a childhood memory. I can get like that. It is why I sew, knit, quilt, and have a garden. It is going to get him some pickled green beans, so he won't be complaining for too long.
My grandmother's recipes for just about everything have gone to some other family member. One I refuse to talk to for reasons I cannot share. There is bad blood there to say the least. I miss my grandmother's recipes. I wish I had been old enough to know that I should have made copies before she passed. Figuring this out required scanning recipes on the Internet, asking coworkers who make these kinds of things, consulting Twitter, and calling my mom to see what she remembered of her mother-in-law's cooking.
I found something close to what I wanted in Aunt Della's Tomato Jam. I also found references to a recipe in the Ball Blue Book of Preserving. My single minded plan didn't have time to find it however. It is quite possible that is the recipe that my grandmother used.
The Aunt Della's recipe gave me the proportions I wanted for a preserved jam. Many others I found were for small batches to be made to go with a specific meal or dish. I altered in slightly, and I offer up for you what I think it will be based on the issues I had.
- 5 Cups tomatoes peeled and quartered - I used 9, and adjusted everything to this. Doubling jam recipes does not work well I learned the hard way. It takes far too long to reduce. Next time, I stick to the original proportions. I used Roma, Early Girl and Yellow Brandywine.
- 4 Cups sugar - Next time, I will reduce this from the original 5 cups. It may take longer to thicken, but I want a stronger tomato taste.
- 1 Lemon, seeded and sliced thin - I used a smaller organic lemon. If I use such small ones next time, I may add an extra half. Thin should be as thin as you can get it, as they have to almost candy in the jam.
- 2 Inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and either grated or chopped thin - This is what I put in a nearly double batch. Same as the lemon and tomatoes, I think more would serve it well. It also nearly candies in the jam. The original recipe called for Cinnamon, but ginger gives it a better taste in my opinion.
- 2 Tablespoons butter - No idea why this is there, but who can argue with butter.
- Combine everything except butter in heavy bottomed sauce pan. Bring to a boil and after the foam rises add the butter, reduce to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes until it sticks to the tines of a fork (I gave up because mine took an hour and a half and it wasn't perfectly thick, but will do fine at fridge temp) Fills approximately 6 half pints. Water bath for 15 minutes.
If you have no idea how to can/waterbath, I recommend the Ball book or the back of a Ball/Kerr box o' jars. Seriously the bottom of the box worked for me.
It may be a little runny, but I'm telling you it tastes like I remember it. A may question what I'm going to do with eleven half pints, but I know there will be some very lucky people at Christmas, if it makes it that long.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Peeling Tomatoes
Both of my grandmothers died before I turned 21, and sometimes I wish I had been less of a petulant teenager and actually paid attention. I feel like some part of my history was lost when I compare it to people I know who are 40 and still have grandparents around to learn from.
I remember my grandma Marie standing in her kitchen peeling tomatoes. The water boiling on the stove and her just peeling and peeling. Bushels of tomatoes. The whole back half of my grandparents land was a huge garden. Growing and preserving was something that you did because if you didn't, you wouldn't eat. We pickled beans, beets, watermelon rinds, cucumbers. We made jams and jellies. I cannot think about the end of summer without thinking about putting things away for winter.
Having a garden this year has made me so happy. To even be able to provide a little of my family's food has brought me incredible joy. So far though I've been a little hesitant to really do much in the world of preserving. Despite having a chest freezer, I've opted to give away our excess tomatoes. I've been afraid of the peeling.
I know my grandmother learned to peel a tomato from Julia Child, but not actually owning her cookbook, all I could remember was that the tomatoes were hot, and my grandmother's hands were red. I'm pretty sure now it was just the tomato juice. It turns out that it is incredibly easy. Boil exactly 10 seconds (I have learned from her book, if she says exactly she means it). Peel from the top. I added a cold wate
r bath to make it easier for me. I used a pasta fetcher thing to take them in and out of the water. I now have just over two quarts of peeled and quartered tomatoes. Now all I need to do is go buy some jars and make to make tomato jam.
I remember my grandma Marie standing in her kitchen peeling tomatoes. The water boiling on the stove and her just peeling and peeling. Bushels of tomatoes. The whole back half of my grandparents land was a huge garden. Growing and preserving was something that you did because if you didn't, you wouldn't eat. We pickled beans, beets, watermelon rinds, cucumbers. We made jams and jellies. I cannot think about the end of summer without thinking about putting things away for winter.
Having a garden this year has made me so happy. To even be able to provide a little of my family's food has brought me incredible joy. So far though I've been a little hesitant to really do much in the world of preserving. Despite having a chest freezer, I've opted to give away our excess tomatoes. I've been afraid of the peeling.
I know my grandmother learned to peel a tomato from Julia Child, but not actually owning her cookbook, all I could remember was that the tomatoes were hot, and my grandmother's hands were red. I'm pretty sure now it was just the tomato juice. It turns out that it is incredibly easy. Boil exactly 10 seconds (I have learned from her book, if she says exactly she means it). Peel from the top. I added a cold wate
r bath to make it easier for me. I used a pasta fetcher thing to take them in and out of the water. I now have just over two quarts of peeled and quartered tomatoes. Now all I need to do is go buy some jars and make to make tomato jam.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Tomatoes are Ripening! The Tomatoes are Ripening!
The warm weather the last week has caused my tomatoes to wake up. All of a sudden I have three or four ripe tomatoes every day. I also realized that I have a problem.
I have a wall of tomatoes. They are huge, leaning in to the fence, and there are tomatoes all of the place in side that lush greenery. There is also what is left of my poor inadequate tomato cages.
I'm going to have to bring a headlamp, flashlight, or some other light source down in there to find them and navigate getting them out of the tomato cages. Not that I'll mind of course, I'd do anything for my home grown tomatoes.
So far most of them have been eaten straight or put in to salsa. I'm really enjoying that the tomatoes, onions and jalapenos all have come out of my garden. The cilantro grew too fast for the tomatoes, so I've been getting that from my favorite herb pusher at the farmer's market, Dehn's garden.
Next on my list is caprese salad. I still have yet to find a good fresh mozzarella here in Minnesota. Those two years in NY living in the same building as the Fratelli Ravioli store that made the stuff on site have me spoiled. I have thought about trying to make it myself, but that scares me just a little. I'll also have to get some basil from Dehn's tomorrow. Apparently basil cares about crop rotation and soil quality. Who knew?
Saturday, August 1, 2009
When the gardener is away...
It is Saturday, and after having been out of town or dealing with family in town nearly every weekend for the last month, we're taking a weekend to just relax and do stuff together, as a family. Since I'm feeling a bit intellectually drained after everything I wrote earlier in the week, I thought I would share some garden pictures. It had a lot of time to grow while I was gone.
That is a six foot tall privacy fence that my tomatoes are next to. Yes, you read that right. Six foot tall tomatoes. Yet not a single ripe one in the bunch. I have however had to take a small bucket of blossom end rot ones off. Ask me how I feel about that, I dare you.
It rained before bed last night, and there isn't much of a sign of it anymore, except on my kale plant. Right there, in the middle of the plant.
This is a volunteer sunflower. It grew below the bird feeder that we put in front of M's window. I had these visions of huge sunflowers growing up like an exterior curtain, so I just let them go. Little did I know that with the dry weather they would all end up tiny. This one is about a foot tall.
These are my tiny Brussels sprouts. They make me really happy.
That is a six foot tall privacy fence that my tomatoes are next to. Yes, you read that right. Six foot tall tomatoes. Yet not a single ripe one in the bunch. I have however had to take a small bucket of blossom end rot ones off. Ask me how I feel about that, I dare you.
It rained before bed last night, and there isn't much of a sign of it anymore, except on my kale plant. Right there, in the middle of the plant.
This is a volunteer sunflower. It grew below the bird feeder that we put in front of M's window. I had these visions of huge sunflowers growing up like an exterior curtain, so I just let them go. Little did I know that with the dry weather they would all end up tiny. This one is about a foot tall. 
These are my tiny Brussels sprouts. They make me really happy.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday Garden Update
My mom, grandma Tere, will be here tomorrow (blogging may be light through the weekend). She sent these with my brother earlier this week (she is at his house first). I know they get a bad rap, but I love them for taking the dog out/gardening. Also, when my feet were huge when I was pregnant, they were all that fit. I finally have a girly colored pair. It isn't like I wear them to the store. Just to drive my car to the Starbucks drive through.
Every other day, sometimes daily, I pick between two and four tender young summer squash off of my two plants. Monday night I picked tiny ones, swearing there was no way I would have any until Thursday. Tonight I picked four, including one larger one. Good thing they are great grilled and I like them in salads.
I've been eating some of the flowers, but mostly the nasturtium is good for being pretty. It is getting a big leggy, and I cut some of it back to make room for the peppers, but the flowers are unreal. So bright and cheerful.
We've had about eight peas off of the one larger plant I had, and as soon as the rest of them start flowering, I know I will have tons. Tonight M and I ate about 10 green beans right out of the garden. I am incredibly proud that I am teaching her where food comes from. I'm also more than a little tickled that she is like me and will just eat stuff right there, in the yard.
When my tomatoes ripen, I will be drowning in them the way I drown in summer squash right now. I can't wait. Neither can A. He has already requested that he get a tomato, salt, and pepper in his lunches every day when they become available. To go with the tomatoes I will have a peck of jalapenos. Two plants, tons of peppers. The first one was eaten last night. Fresh is always better.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Yeah, I got nothing.
It has been an extremely challenging week at work. It feels of the old days of long days at the office and endless hours on call and fixing broken things at night. I missed it a little, but I know I am not ready to go back to that world just yet. There is a short person who demands my time. Fortunately most of the work has been doable after 7 PM, so I miss little time with her. I just know this isn't sustainable, so happily in my position I will stay. (this isn't the kind of thing we deal with regularly)
So, more garden photos it is:
I'm not sure I've ever seen such a lush tomato blossom. This is I think a Yellow Brandywine. One to two pounds eventually. All of my original tomatoes have now outgrown my stakes. They're huge!
I may have upped the purple a little, but the contrast is just about that striking. I'm a sucker for purple plants.
The first garden pea. Only an inch long, but growing very fast.
So, more garden photos it is:
I'm not sure I've ever seen such a lush tomato blossom. This is I think a Yellow Brandywine. One to two pounds eventually. All of my original tomatoes have now outgrown my stakes. They're huge!
I may have upped the purple a little, but the contrast is just about that striking. I'm a sucker for purple plants.
The first garden pea. Only an inch long, but growing very fast.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Falling in love again.
My love of photography goes way back. I guess you could say it is genetic. It is the one artistic pursuit that I have had that I've kept all these years. I really have no idea why I didn't go to school for it. Perhaps it was just too close to my dad, when I didn't like him all that much.
I don't hide that I want a Canon DSLR, and I want it bad. It is what I have been saving for. Unfortunately, I don't see it happening any time soon. I just can't seem to save enough, what with the diapers, the food, the damn we're going to need a big girl bed because the snot is removing her diapers at night.
So lately I've been trying to really get to know my little Canon PowerShot A540. So far, it is working. I get the macro shots I love so much, as well as good video, and the ability to go fully manual. Nearly every day I'm out taking pictures of my beautiful garden.
Instead of a new camera, I think I'll invest in the new iPhoto, to better manage what my addiction creates. I may also finally break down and get PhotoShop Elements. Picnik is still great, but I want a real watermark and maybe a little more control.
Until that happens, if you are looking for me, I'll be out in the garden, perfecting the use of the manual macro settings.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
At least the garden watching is good.
I do believe we are in for the duration, her fever flirted with 100 again today. If this is the piggy flu, I wish it would just develop fully on so we can get a clear picture of how much work I am going to miss. The long days with the whining sensitive child she when sick are eventually going to get old.
Cue the violets.
One of the new gnomes, riding a snail through the peppers.
The other new gnome, riding a tortoise through the arugula.
A future jalapeno pepper. It is one of many things producing flowers right now. I cannot wait for the fruit it will produce. I am beyond excited. I also had a small salad at lunch that came directly from the garden. Provided the weather doesn't batter it tonight, I will have more tomorrow.
Cue the violets.
One of the new gnomes, riding a snail through the peppers.
The other new gnome, riding a tortoise through the arugula.
A future jalapeno pepper. It is one of many things producing flowers right now. I cannot wait for the fruit it will produce. I am beyond excited. I also had a small salad at lunch that came directly from the garden. Provided the weather doesn't batter it tonight, I will have more tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
