Jeremy's version of a great salad that Jill would enjoy (and she did).
Iceberg Lettuce
Spinach leaves
Basil
Red Onion
Feta Cheese
Croutons
Bacon bits
Fresh Strawberries
Pecans
Lightly peppered, lightly drizzled with EVOO and homemade pepper relish.
And as a side note- basil and fresh strawberries (lightly sugared) is amazing.
Heirloom Tomatoes- Still Growing and Keeping the Bunnies OUT!
June 4, 2009
Our tomato plants continue to grow well. We did plant them a little early this year, so we have almost 10 little green tomatoes already. We also are using the Topsy Turvy to see if it really works. We have two patches of cucumbers, two patches of potatoes (red and white), two patches of beans, lots of okra. And of course 42 tomato plants. Not sure if they will all make it, but hopefully we will enjoy some tomatoes by 4th of July! There are three bunnies that have decided our yard is interesting. They appear in the mornings and evenings. Rheau has done her best to keep them out. One of the little ones is making it's way over to the herb garden. Rheau can't protect that. So it looks like it's time to pant a few extra marigold flowers. We've heard they keep away the bunnies. We will see. We will keep you all posted.
These pics were taken with our brand new Canon Powershot. Our last camera died. This one works great and we found it at Office Max on sale.
Our tomato plants continue to grow well. We did plant them a little early this year, so we have almost 10 little green tomatoes already. We also are using the Topsy Turvy to see if it really works. We have two patches of cucumbers, two patches of potatoes (red and white), two patches of beans, lots of okra. And of course 42 tomato plants. Not sure if they will all make it, but hopefully we will enjoy some tomatoes by 4th of July! There are three bunnies that have decided our yard is interesting. They appear in the mornings and evenings. Rheau has done her best to keep them out. One of the little ones is making it's way over to the herb garden. Rheau can't protect that. So it looks like it's time to pant a few extra marigold flowers. We've heard they keep away the bunnies. We will see. We will keep you all posted.
These pics were taken with our brand new Canon Powershot. Our last camera died. This one works great and we found it at Office Max on sale.
Heirlooms- Giveaways- Bunnies
As of yesterday we have given away 105 tomato plants, mostly heirlooms. The plants grew well on our shelves with the grow lights purchased from Westlake. Almost every tomato plant has done great, except the Aussie and the Blue Ridge Mountain. The Aussie seems to be a late grower and we have two plants doing much better. So we will hopefully see a few Aussie tomatoes this year. As for the Blue Ridge Mountain, we have one plant in the ground and it's not going to make it. We do have one under our grow lights that might be able to replace the one already in the garden. We hope. Right now we have 40 tomatoes growing quite well. 30 different varieties. Last year we harvested 369 tomatoes.
We are trying to reach 500 this year, which we might easily do if the weather cooperates. We have already had to spray for blight once. Now all we have to do is feed, water and keep the plants safe from bunnies. Several of you have told me that bunnies have already destroyed a few of your tomato plants. Sorry to hear that. We are more than happy to share the harvest. So throughout July, August and September there will several tomatoes at the church during the week and on Sundays. Hope to also take some to Restart if they harvest falls correctly.
We have seen one baby bunny running around the yard but that poor thing has no chance against the mighty Rheau (roo).
She stand guard over her backyard like no one else. Bunnies have a very small chance of taking out the garden, as do squirrels or another other rodent. She chases them and when she catches them, it's playtime!
Here are the tomatoes we can't wait to harvest- Whopper (6 plants in), Valencia, Church, Grandfather Ashlock, Yellow Pear, Aussie and the Black Zebra. Very unique sounding eh?
Alright, good gardening to all.
Mother's Day- The Time to Really Plant a Garden
Well, as many of you know, we already planted most of our garden. We are up to 41 tomato plants. 15 heirlooms and 26 regular. We planted 5 whopper plants because those are our favorite tomatoes for BLT's. Why 41? Well, we could plant more and probably will but that is how many we have planted so far because we grew most of them from seed and were not sure how many would take. So far the Church heirloom is doing very well, as is the Grandfather Ashlock. The Blue Mountain and Aussie are absolutely terrible. They did not grow well in the seed starter and after transplant into the garden did not do well at all. Could be the climate, could be the seeds or maybe it's just a crummy plant. Not sure. We also planted cucumbers, green beans and red/white potatoes. Everything seems to be doing well.
The herb garden has already yielded spinach and onions. We are pleased with it's progress and hopefully will see some of the herbs we planted- cilantro, oregano, thyme and chives start really growing. The pepper plants are growing nicely, but some bugs are starting to eat them. Have to get rid of those pesky bugs soon.
Finally, we are still giving away tomatoes. We have given away of 30 of them so far and will continue to do so. Get those plants in the ground soon so you have ripe tomatoes in June!
The herb garden has already yielded spinach and onions. We are pleased with it's progress and hopefully will see some of the herbs we planted- cilantro, oregano, thyme and chives start really growing. The pepper plants are growing nicely, but some bugs are starting to eat them. Have to get rid of those pesky bugs soon.
Finally, we are still giving away tomatoes. We have given away of 30 of them so far and will continue to do so. Get those plants in the ground soon so you have ripe tomatoes in June!
The Harvest Begins- 2009
Last night we had our first meal from our 2009 Garden. Alright, the whole meal was not from the garden, but we did have spinach salad. Here was the bountiful delight that we experienced.
1. Spinach with carrots, celery and relish. The relish was a gift from Beth Mumper (member of the church I serve).
2. Toad in a hole.- if you don't know what this is then well, sorry you are really missing out.
3. Fried Morel Mushrooms!!!! (Jill picked them yesterday)
So Morel Mushroom season has started, as has the garden harvest. I guess Spring really is here. We did finally put the peppers and herbs in the "herb garden". Hopefully this rain will do everything some good. Might have to go out to Longview Lake in between rains to see if any more Morels pop up.
Happy hunting!!!
1. Spinach with carrots, celery and relish. The relish was a gift from Beth Mumper (member of the church I serve).
2. Toad in a hole.- if you don't know what this is then well, sorry you are really missing out.
3. Fried Morel Mushrooms!!!! (Jill picked them yesterday)
So Morel Mushroom season has started, as has the garden harvest. I guess Spring really is here. We did finally put the peppers and herbs in the "herb garden". Hopefully this rain will do everything some good. Might have to go out to Longview Lake in between rains to see if any more Morels pop up.
Happy hunting!!!
Garden Continues for 2009- April 24, 2009
28 Tomatoes went in this weekend. We grew them from seed. They were ready to be planted before we wanted them in the ground but, we had to put them in because they outgrew their little planters. We will probably plant another 14 tomatoes. Potatoes are looking great, as are onions and spinach. Here are a few pics of today. What a beautiful day, despite the wind.
It's Almost Time
We uploaded a few pictures for everyone to see our seed progress. Also, Heartland Nursery looks like they are full of plants and flowers again. We will be visiting them soon.
Here are the pics.
Here are the pics.
Preparing the Garden and Herb Garden
Monday March 16, 2009
Well, it is that time of year. We purchased 1 yard of compost/top soil from Randy's Lakeview Nursery on Friday and went back for another yard on Monday and we were told that they were unable to sell it because it was too wet. So we traveled out to American Topsoil and picked up a yard and a 1/2 (their bucket was a little more full than Randy's) for $10 more. Jill went to tilling on Monday afternoon, and sadly, cut the cable line ;0(
Well, it is that time of year. We purchased 1 yard of compost/top soil from Randy's Lakeview Nursery on Friday and went back for another yard on Monday and we were told that they were unable to sell it because it was too wet. So we traveled out to American Topsoil and picked up a yard and a 1/2 (their bucket was a little more full than Randy's) for $10 more. Jill went to tilling on Monday afternoon, and sadly, cut the cable line ;0(
Sometimes it good to have no cable and no access to the internet.
Anyway, we planted potatoes and onions.
The new herb garden we added is coming along nicely. We still need to put up edging to keep the soil from washing away, but we will do that on Friday. Here are a few pics that might show the scope of our amazing garden.
560 sq ft main garden --------105 sq ft herb garden
Gardening Tips from Jeremy and Jill
So a few of you have asked about planting your own garden. If this is a recession necessity or maybe a new hobby, let me say that it's not that difficult to have a wonderful garden. The soil around here is great for tomatoes, okra, peppers and cucumbers. Here are a few things we have learned over the years.
1. Plant potatoes and onions around St. Patricks Day.
2. Plant tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, etc. around Mother's Day.
3. Place a few tablespoons of fertilizer below the plant as you plant it.
4. Water your garden
5. Weed your garden
6. Search the web for tips on how to fight pesky bugs.
7. Leave the rabbits alone, then need to eat too.
8. If you want to get rid of rabbits, get a puppy, they chase everything.
9. Till up the area you are going to plant in, don't just dig a hole.
10. Great places to shop- Heartland Nursery is awesome!!!
11. Never buy cucumber plants, use seeds.
12. Plant whopper tomatoes, they are amazing.
13. Plant a few herbs, basil grows well here.
14. Plant at least one heirloom tomato just to see how difficult it is to garden.
15. Don't garden alone, get the family involved.
Last tip- Make some great dinners with the bounty of your garden.
There is much more to share, but that is a good start for the first time gardener.
1. Plant potatoes and onions around St. Patricks Day.
2. Plant tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, etc. around Mother's Day.
3. Place a few tablespoons of fertilizer below the plant as you plant it.
4. Water your garden
5. Weed your garden
6. Search the web for tips on how to fight pesky bugs.
7. Leave the rabbits alone, then need to eat too.
8. If you want to get rid of rabbits, get a puppy, they chase everything.
9. Till up the area you are going to plant in, don't just dig a hole.
10. Great places to shop- Heartland Nursery is awesome!!!
11. Never buy cucumber plants, use seeds.
12. Plant whopper tomatoes, they are amazing.
13. Plant a few herbs, basil grows well here.
14. Plant at least one heirloom tomato just to see how difficult it is to garden.
15. Don't garden alone, get the family involved.
Last tip- Make some great dinners with the bounty of your garden.
There is much more to share, but that is a good start for the first time gardener.
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