Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Around the Garden












We have moved from tons of work in the garden to a little bit each day. Checking for bugs, pulling a few weeds here and there, giving water to the plants that look a little thirsty and harvesting. Yes, harvesting has become a twice daily routine.

Our morning harvests provide us with kale for our smoothies or juices, a little Swiss chard and herbs for our omelets and a few strawberries or raspberries to round out our breakfast. Afternoon harvests see more greens hitting the basket as well as snow peas, yellow beans and beets.

On Sunday I found Reece sitting among the yellow beans, picking them off one at a time and eating. Pick and eat, he continued for a while, enjoying every last bite. Then on Monday the two of us harvested enough beets to start the pickling season...gingery pickled beets have made it to the new pantry shelf, and I can't wait to dig into them.

The herb garden is doing well too. Yarrow, comfrey and lavender have been harvested and are now infusing in oil on my kitchen window sill. Calendula flowers are being picked daily and drying.

And did you see those tomatoes? Yup, we enjoyed the first ones for dinner last night and they were oh so sweet!

Our no dig potatoes are green and lush. They are starting to flower and I am keeping my fingers crossed that when it comes time to go searching for potatoes they are waiting for us in abundance.

In the rest of the garden cucumbers are growing, zucchinis, green beans, peppers and butternut squash are flowering, the ground cherries are spreading and the garlic is almost ready. I dug up the remains of our mesclun mix, and am preparing the area for another seeding of greens.

The sun has been shining, the temperatures are soaring and the humidity, well, let's just say it is hot and humid. We could really use a little rain, and I have my fingers crossed the long range forecast of rain on Thursday and Friday holds true.

How are things around your garden?

Linking up with Taryn

20 comments:

  1. So much beauty and health and goodness here! Such bounty. Our garden says: 'When I grow up, I want to be like Kim's garden!' :)

    Enjoy all the goodies and sunshine!

    xo

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  2. you have a green thumb, just look at that garden! Someone (a rabbit) has managed to jump a fence and eat the kale...We are mystified on how that is possible. We had basil pesto yesterday and it was so fresh from the garden, I can't wait for some cucumbers..

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    1. I like to think I do :) Oh no, we had a rabbit one year, ate all of my kohlrabi, I was so disappointed. I am looking forward to cucumbers too...soon.

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  3. Your garden is just beautiful Kim. I am so glad you enjoyed your tomato, there is nothing sweeter than a homegrown one.
    Our garden is about finished, all that remains are okra and squash. Soon it will be time to plant the fall garden so for now I am enjoying the break.

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    1. Thank you Tracey. I am always amazed at our different gardening seasons, enjoy the last of your bounty and the little rest before the fall garden season gets started.

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  4. Oh, what bounty! Beautiful garden, and beautiful photos!

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  5. You have such an amazing garden. With all the extreme summer heat in Arizona, I have about given up on summer gardening. I am trying to get the word out and don't know if I told you, but I took my old blog private due to some cyber-security issues and have started anew. Feel free to visit, comment and follow if you would like. Have a great week!
    http://dayinthelife2013.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you! I can't even imagine how difficult gardening must be for you with the summer heat in Arizona.

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  6. What a sweet garden helper you have. :) I'm glad to see you all are having such a good year in the garden.

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  7. You have an amazing garden, I love the ripe tomatoes, still have to wait a while for mine

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    1. Thank you! Hope you get some ripe ones soon :)

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  8. Your garden looks great! I love the log borders, and everything looks like it's thriving!

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    1. Thanks! Yes, thriving is a good word, let's hope it keeps up :)

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  9. love your logs around your raised beds! i have some smaller-diameter branches around some of mine. :)

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    1. Thanks, we love them, simple and easy to maintain :)

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  10. beautiful garden, seriously inspiring!!!!!
    XO

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