Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Around the Garden











A little rain, a little sun, a little rain, a little sun has been the story in the garden this last week, and that has been perfect, for both the garden, and for me. Everything is growing well, and we are beginning to see the foods we will be eating in the next week or two. Snow peas, green beans and zucchinis are just about ready, and the cucumbers are flowering and little cucumbers are growing.

Bugs are around, but like most of the summer so far, not too bad. The biggest issue is the lovely cabbage moth worm. I am picking them off the kale daily before they do too much damage. There is also a lovely shiny metallic beetle attacking my St. John's wort, but I have been catching them in action and putting an end to their fun.

This week we have been eating kale, Swiss chard, strawberries, raspberries, beet greens, salad greens and herbs. I have harvested and infused more yarrow, and calendula in oil for salve making, and I strained my dandelion oil this week, and made a lovely dandelion salve. Lavender and yarrow are drying, and my tinctures of motherwort and lemon balm are sitting in the dark, waiting to be strained in a few weeks. I moved the comfrey from the herbal garden to a spot in the butterfly and bee garden. It will have more room, and won't crowd out my other herbs.

I enjoy these days in the garden, walking around a few times a day, checking in on things, harvesting a bit here and there and just soaking up the goodness that comes from watching the seed to plant to plate cycle. That cycle amazes me every year, and the pleasure of watching it all happen never gets old.

How are things around your garden?

16 comments:

  1. What bounty! Your greens look so amazing. We are just about ready to start indoor seedlings for a late summer transplant and I'm planning on getting another batch of cold loving greens going since we lost all our spring harvest (still battling the oxalis... grrr). I've been picking and eating handfuls of green beans this week, they are nice and juicy. Peas are producing constantly, but not too abundantly so we've been enjoying them as snacks. Like you, our plants are full of tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchinis, all growing and promising yummy meals to come. And our herbs have exploded. LOL!

    Funny enough, I've been enjoying the rain this week. I love a good rainy week halfway through the summer, Always gives me a chance to spend some indoor time sewing, baking and cooking without feeling like we are totally missing out on being outside. I feel bad for people on vacation, but for us, it is feeling just right.

    Have a lovely day dear friend! xo

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    1. Thanks, they are pretty tasty too :) It is nice to spend time inside isn't it? We are enjoying it too, a little bit of time to rest, and get ready for the sunshine that will be returning.

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  2. Your garden looks so pretty Kim. Our garden is about done for the season and I am getting ready to start seedlings for the fall garden. Time is flying by!

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    1. Thank you Tracey. Fall garden...whooo hoooo!!! I am starting to think about the fall garden, have to get a little more eaten before I can plant anything more :)

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  3. You are rich dear friend. Rich indeed.

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  4. It looks so neat and nice! We have a few beds that I need to replant, but on the whole our garden is a very happy place right now, too.

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    1. That is wonderful to hear Meryl, enjoy the food you harvest.

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  5. All those leafy greens! Yum, your gardening talent reminds me so much of my dad and growing up. I ate so many new to me foods and loved them!

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    1. Awe, that is so sweet of you to say. The leafy greens are so good, we are enjoying them every single day.

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  6. Oh Kale, you make me dream! and those tomatoes, oh I'm just jealous!

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    1. It is growing well, and I am working to stay on top of those bugs :)

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  7. I love seeing your garden every week. I just don't have the patience and desire to garden like this, so I love seeing what everyone else grows. Looks lovely!

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    1. Thank you. Gardening is not for everyone, and it is good that you know yourself that well :) Happy to share so you can get a peek.

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  8. I hope my garden looks like this next summer. Such an inspiration Kim!! It makes my heart soar with joy to see so much goodness. And GREEN. :)

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    1. Thanks KC! And my heart is soaring too :)

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