Harvest Monday, August 8, 2011

This past week we've had a decent harvest. I spent Saturday preserving a lot of it...more on that in a minute.

This pic was from a harvest during the week. Lots of peppers, Jalapeno's & Chipotle's, which by the way, our diagram of what we planted where doesn't seem to match up now?! So I don't know which is which since they look similar anyways! I might cook with what I think is a jalapeno and get a tad more of a kick than I expected! We also harvested two more Hungarian Hot Wax; my new favorite way to eat these is in my marina sauce over stuffed shells!

Ok, moving on...we picked some broccoli (which went into Pasta Primavera) and lots more cuc's. Don't they look so not 'cuc-ish'! Oh well, they till taste good! I have a jar of  'Traditionally Fermented Pickles' going. One week down, one more to go. They smell wonderful but hubby is a little leary since they sit out at room temp, no lid or anything on them!

Friday I harvested our Soy Beans. This was our first year growing them and they were so easy. They had some Asian Bettle damage on the leaves but the fruit was fine and I harvested about 1.5# :) I worked on cleaning, steaming, bagging with a Foodsaver and feezing them yesterday and I probably ate half while doing this ;) Ok, not half, but enough! This was the first time I used the Foodsaver - how many people does it take to figure out a Foodsaver?! And how long? Just all afternoon and a call to their hotline for hubby and I ;)

Saturday I harvested the rest of our Broccoli; a little over 2 pounds.



This was my line up for preserving Saturday; Soy Beans, Cauliflower and the Broccoli.



And I picked some herbs for drying. Sage, Tarragon, Oregano and Rosemary. I dried it on the oven.
I also dried some Peppermint for tea in the winter - a fav of mine!
Do you dry your herbs? If so, which method works best for you?





Check out other gardener's harvests for the week over at Daphne's Dandelions!

Check out what other gardener's are growing at An Oregon Cottage's Tuesday Garden Party!

The [Happy] Veggies

After I devoted a post to bashing my vegetable garden, I figured I should at least leave myself one glimmer of hope and showcase a few things that are looking 'decent'!

This is our first time trying our hand at growing corn and it looks to be doing well!

We have a few of these Big Boy Bell Peppers coming along.

Jalepenos...it seems I never need one when I have them. And when I don't have them, I always need one!



Kung Pao Pepper; I am excited for these to use in stir-fry's.

Blooms on my Soy Beans [to be used for Edaname!] I don't know if they are taking extremely long, or if I am just very impatient!

And the KY Wonder Pole Beans I planted around the light post, along with a volunteer squash or pumpkin of some sort! They seem to be coming along nicely, but I would sure like to start seeing the actual beans!

So how about you - do you have a veg or flower you are particularly happy with this season?

Seed Exchange - Leeks & Edamame

I have TONS of Heirloom Carentan Leek Seeds (via Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds) that I am happy to trade for something else. The packet I ordered contains way more seed than I need. This is the description of these leeks provided by Baker Creek:

Long, thick (2 inches across); vigorous and fast growing; delicate, deliciously mild flavor; great fresh or cooked. The Carentan leek was mentioned by Vilmorin in 1885. An old European favorite that is becoming rare. Very adaptable and yields are good.

I also have Envy Soya Bean Heirloom seeds from Baker Creek that are perfect for Edamame! Here is the Baker Creek description on these:

Early 80-day variety is great for the north. Perfect for Edamame, fresh shelling or dried, nice green-colored beans have good flavor; developed by the late Prof. Edwin Meader, UNH

If you are interested in either of these seeds, please let me know. It would be great to make a trade with a seed you may have an abundance of! Email me at apollosonacres at hotmail dot com