A Garden Update

We've had some decent rain over the past few weeks and things are taking off like gangbusters!

I'd love to show you a picture of our tomato plants, but they are resembling an amazon at the moment!

But check this out - my Copra onions are BULBING!

I am seriously excited about this!

Here is one side of our Cucumber patch and some of our beans.

The wooden trellis in the background has Black Turtle Beans at the bottom of it.



This is our 'Squash' garden this year.

From left to right, Bush Acorn Squah, a Zucchini and Yellow Squash.

Then, what you can't see to the right are some pepper plants and some broccoli plants - broccoli which will probably get ripped out because 1.) I think it bolted on us and 2.) the hens had a feast on the leaves!

Some Basil in a 'pot' with the herb garden behind it.



And of course, a photo of the apple crop :) They are coming along!

How is your garden growing?

We are about done with our Alaska Shelling Peas. As we pick the last few pods off each section, we rip out the section and throw it to the hens - they LOVE it!!

Harvest Monday, July 10

Last week I had nothing! Nothing to participate in Harvest Monday with over at Daphne's Dandelions.

This week, I have something. Not much though! But, a harvest is a harvest, right!

We picked one Hungarian Wax Pepper which went on Homemade French Bread Pizza's and, since we were doing Pizza, we also picked some Basil to go with it.

During the week I picked Cilantro for a few different dished, but did weigh it out.

Saturday we picked 7 cups of Raspberries from a friends house and I made Raspberry Jam....more on that tomorrow. We also picked some of his Zucchini's since ours are not ready yet and I am going to attempt Michael's Symon's Zucchini Fritters.

One thing is for sure though, I'll be 'harvesting' weeds all season long!

Harvest Monday, June 13, 2011

Lots of lettuce this past week! I was packing gallon bags of it and giving some to family & friends. This lettuce was from seed we ordered from Baker's Creek; and we can't complain. It's been great.

This photo is of what must have been a seed that strayed from the lettuce bed and germinated in the lawn!

This was just one harvesting; it looked so nice arranged in the colander ;)

And another harvest picture.

And this is my handy Basil harvest holder...the cup holder on the Babe's stroller :) We just recently got the Basil in the garden, but it already had some leaves that needed plucked.

For what I remembered to weigh from our 'greens' harvest for the week, we had:

• .63 ounces of Basil


• 1.753# of lettuce

Check out what other Gardner's are harvesting this week over at Daphne's Dandelions Harvest Monday!

Companion Planting

As I may have mentioned in a previous post, we are trying to 'Companion Plant' our garden this year as well as make our larger garden into raised beds. I am working on diagrams for hubby to go by. Just when I think I have things where I like it, I want to switch something or I am questioning if there is a better way!


I would really like to hear from any of my readers if you do 'Companion Planting' with your gardens -- with your veggies, herbs, flowers...any of it. And if so, what are some tips you have? What have you found helpful? What really works for you in your area?

Alas, I mentioned hubby is working on his Rasp/Blackberry patch too -- any suggestions for companion planting in there? I didn't find much when doing a brief google search.

Hubby working up the new Rasp/Blackberry patch

Side Note: Chives planted underneath apple trees are said to help prevent scab on your apples. Do you think hubby would plant chives under our 120 apple trees ;) ?

I am letting the book 'Carrots Love Tomatoes' by Louise Riotte be my guide, however, I am still stumped on what I want to plant with our carrots nor can I decide how & where I want to place our bell peppers - Jupiter Peppers to be exact ;) Any suggestions. I know I can plant my peppers with some basil, but I am already planting basil with my tomatoes and since I haven't grown the basil from seed, I am not looking to break the bank on basil plants :)

Hubby preparing the gardens...dumping in some composted manure

Agricultural Day Etsy Finds!!

Today is National Agriculture Day! What are you going to be doing to celebrate? I will be out on the farm all day, pruning more apple trees, tilling up the gardens, grooming some more shedding horses and anything else that I might find an extra minute to do!

I am also dedicating my Favorite Etsy Finds this week to Agriculture! All items shown were found using the search term "Agriculture" on Etsy! And I might just throw in a snapshot of this beautiful sunrise I am watching through the kitchen window ;) We'll see if I can snap a decent one.

Without further or do.....

I know these might make you take a double glance and say what, but these are 'Seed Bomb Kits' from LAUrban Harvest. This is such a cool concept! They state 'you can toss into empty lots, weedy areas, or otherwise ugly spaces...your seeds will sprout and grow, beautifying the space and producing edible beans...This is a great way to beautify your local area without having to jump fences or trespass'. Now, isn't that a cool idea! Check out their shop - they have lots 'o cool stuff, especially for the 'Urban Farmer'!


I love quilts! It may be my next obsession next to totes and aprons! And this beauty popped up under the 'Agriculture' search! It is called Four Barns and it's made by Pam's Crafts. The back side of it has a smaller barn print fabric. It looks nice & warm and would make the perfect edition to your farm house!

And, I heart this shop, Amepix! A gal name Amanda runs it and she also runs Growing Hope!
This is an organization she founded that is dedicated to helping people improve their lives and communities through gardening and healthy food access!


Ok, so anyways, are these buttons not the cutest! I already orders [6] which my unknowing family ;) and myself will be wearing at the farmers markets this year! I will let you guess which ones I ordered ;)



And, I couldn't resist! I HAD TO order this too! I have not the slightest clue where I will put it...somewhere it can be on display at the markets probably, but I love it! Maybe I will stick it on the bumper of the hubby's white truck and see how long before he notices!! Check out all the cool stuff at Amepix!

And here are my Agricultural contributions........


The morning sunrise

Italian Basil!