Heirloom Cuc's

I have 3 different heirloom variety Cucumber's growing in the garden this year. One is the Ruby Wallace Old Time White Cuc's -- more on them later.

The other two are pictured below; Parisian Pickling Cuc's and Fin de Meaux Cuc's.

The pen is in there to give you and idea of size since I couldn't find a ruler :) The pen is about 6" long.

So, about these Cuc's.

I ordered them from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

The Fin de Meaux seen here I let grow to long. [Hey! I am learning!] According to the seed packet, I should have picked them at 2" long! They are great for making Cornichon pickles with, but my problem is, I can't harvest enough at one time to get enough to make a batch of Cornichon pickles with them! So, Garden 2012 note - Bigger Patch for Cuc's! Right now I am harvesting enough to make a jar or two of Fridge Pickles so I continue to experiment with those recipes.

The Parisian Pickling Cuc, same thing. I am letting them grow too long I think! I believe that the one on the right was picked at a better size, but it still could have been picked a little smaller. These are a Gherkin type pickle and I envisioned making sweet Gherkin batches with this one, but again, I am not yet harvesting enough to make a full batch. So, fingers crossed, maybe soon, they will just go gang busters!

I think I may try to direct seed more of both here soon and see if I can get a late harvest from them as well.

Has anyone every planted either of these varities? If so, what has your experience with them been like?

The [Sorry] Vegetable Garden

From the outside looking in, the vegetable garden looks like it is coming along nicely. The Sunflowers look awesome and the Marigolds underneath and bushing out nicely.

But don't be deceived. Come inside.

This is the Carrot Patch....can you even see a carrot top in there?

The Celery - oy! The poor, poor Celery. What the heck is wrong with the one on the right? They need blanched with milk cartons...but I don't usually buy milk, or juice, in a cardboard carton so this task has been put off, unintentionally.

And yes, the ground looks painfully dry. Hard to imagine with the record rain fall's we've had.



Oh the cabbage. Farewell Sauerkraut. Farewell Coleslaw....at least if I cannot combat what is tearing you to shreds. How embarrassing! And yes, I see all the weeds too ;)

And this hot mess is a patch of my Cucumbers. Can I get a double 'Oy'!

I planted seeds in mass, expecting that if they all germinated, I could just pull some. Well, I never got a chance to pull some before they turned into this nice, hot mess. So I was in there the other night trying to tame them, move some towards the fence they were supposed to climb up [rather than my bush beans] and just in general get some order!





So, is this embarrassing or what! The weeds are uncontrollable at this point! The bugs are out of control. But, it is always a learning process. I am already making plans for next year's garden. Things I am keeping in mind are to inter-plant more herbs in with the veggies to help combat some of the bugs. We 'd liked to also do raised beds and then, this way, we can fill the walkways with wood chips or something of the sort. This should also help cut back on the amount of weeding we have to do. And, the babe will be older this time next year, which may help with the demands on my time ;) He can play around in the yard next to me while I weed versus now, where he demands a tad more of my attention.

How about you? How is your garden looking? Has anyone tried Diatomecous Earth for help with the bugs?

Here are just some gardens I am currently envious of! Check them out!

Squash Blossom Farm
Annie's Kitchen Garden
Chiots Run
Daphne's Dandelions
Life in a Little Red Farmhouse

In the Garden

Now that our gardens are 99% in, I took inventory of everything we planted.

In the large garden, we have:

• Onions (came up from lat year -- not sure on variety)


• Atomic Red Carrots


• (3) Jalapeno planta


• (2) Chipotle plants


• (2) Kung Pao pepper plants...I am excited for these!!


• (2) Rainbow Semi-Hot Blocky's


• (2) Big Red Sweet Pepper


• (2) Big Bertha Green Pepper


• (1) Hungarian Hot Wax


• (6) Snow Crown Cauliflower


• (6) Premium Crop Broccoli


• (3) Utah Celery


• (3) Golden Acre Cabbage


• (3) Ruby Perfection Cabbage


• (6) Late Flat Dutch cabbage....uh, I guess I am making Sauerkraut!?


• Ruby Wallace Old Time White Cucumbers


• Fin De Meaux Cucumbers


• Parisian Pickling Cucumber


• (6) Peaches and Cream Sweet Corn


• Golden Wax Bush Beans

In our 'garden boxes' we have Strawberries and Soy Bean for Edamame [pictured above].

Around a lightpost, I planted my Kentucky Wonder Pole beans and some Summer Savory.


In our Tomato Garden, we have:

• (6) Basil Plants


• (2) Zuchinni


• (2) Yellow Straightneck Squash


• (2)Gardener's Delight Cherry Tomato


• (2) Howard German Tomato


• (2) Slabaugh's Mama Rosa Tomato....for paste/canning


• (2) Pruden's Purple


• (1) Abe Lincoln

I have Cherokee Purple Tomato seeds put the seedlings I have from sowing some of them aren't looking to hot so I am not sure they'll make it.

What's in your garden?

Seed Starting 2011

Everyone is starting to blog about what they'll be planting in their gardens this year. Hubby and I are always overly ambitious when it comes to planting -- probably since we have the room! Last year actually started off great....then, once I was slapped with morning sickness 24/7, I couldn't stand to be anywhere near food of any kind :/ Between the gardens, the orchard and the other general farm chores, it was too much for hubby to man alone so most of our harvest went to family and friends and weeding went to the wayside!

Anyways, I guess I am just a gluten for punishment because between reading everyone's blogs and scanning all the seed catalogs coming in, I already have a mile long list of seeds I want to order. Unfortunately, with the arrival of "Baby P" not too far away, I don't think we'll be starting any seeds indoors this year. Hubby wants to just buy plants already started and plant them once it is warm enough, but I still have some certain varieties in mind that I know we can't purchase locally - thus, I will still be ordering some seeds! (Plus I am all about heirlooms - hubby can sway either way)

One seed I am going to try this year is the Moon & Stars Watermelon! I am excited to try this one; it is supposed to grow well in our area.


I also want to try the Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean (and the Dragon Tongue Bean...not pictured)



And for one of our heirloom tomato's this year, I've heard so much wonderful feed back on the Cherokee Purple Tomato so I am going to try that. This one makes me nervous starting from a direct seed outside so I may have to persuade hubby, in between feedings and diaper changing and dog walks and horse stall cleanings, to start these inside under the grow light ;) Wish me Luck!!

I have 2 onions on my list as well that are good storage onions as well as a good pickling cucumber. I also have received some Purple Calabash Tomato seeds along with a Purple Haze Carrot seeds from a fellow blogger, Emily! Thanks Emily!!

So, what are you planting this year? What is something new you are going to try?

I am also on the hunt for the following if anyone knows where I can find them, please let me know! Tromboncino (vining summer squash, Small Sugar Pumpkin (supposedly grows on a trellis), African Jelly Melon and a Rocky or Agnes Pickling Cuc.

Any suggestions on a good veg to grow for making my own baby food?

Any suggestions on a nice Zinna flower seed to plant?

Ok, I have to stop.....my plate is overfull already :)