How Does Your Garden Grow? {July 17, 2012}

This week is a very special week. Bonbon Break Media (that's Kathy and I) have launched our new magazine!

And..."How Does Your Garden Grow?" is featured in the Backyard! So please hop on over and enjoy yummy garden fast food like this:

....and ENJOY! Please share your garden links in the Backyard. See you there!

How Does Your Garden Grow? @ Bonbon Break

 

How Does Your Garden Grow? {June 12, 2012}

This was the first week we were really able to harvest from the garden. Our chard and kale are growing growing and I have been sautéing sautéing. One night I added pea tendrils, which were so delicate and yummy, and last night I added garlic scapes. Now those little babies are d e l I c I o u s. Do not let them grow! Grab 'em and eat 'em (you don't want your bulbs to waste energy on flower production anyways). Serve them on top of this and ooh la la.

Little fingers are finally grabbing peas and yesterday, a voice shouted from the yard, "Woo hoo! Guess who is the luckiest kid in the world!?! Me! I just got the first strawberry!!" He did and he even shared a little nibble with me. So sweet...the strawberry and my Lil Man. The kids have turned into asparagus addicts, almost to the point where it is embarrassing. I know better than to serve it when we have guests now because their little eyes will drill a hole into the person who grabs the last spear and there are no guarantees that Lil Miss won't just grab it right off your plate.

Yesterday, Lil Miss and I were in the garden and she started breaking off asparagus tips and chowing. Next she went for some peas. Suddenly, I turned around and she had a fistful of grass going to her mouth! I guess she just figured she could keep on picking around her. I have to keep my eye on that one. Trouble.

As I have been using my greens this year, I can't get over the tenderness of the chard and kale. It is similar to spinach. Between the chard, kale, pea tendrils and garlic scapes, tenderness is the word that constantly comes to mind as I harvest, clean, prepare, serve and eat. Tenderness.

My herbs are growing beautifully. I will be able to use my Summer Savory by week's end. I caught myself just running my fingers through it yesterday and smelling it's delicate aroma. Ahhhhh. My little kitchen jars are really producing and I have already been plucking some dill and cilantro...which is all well and good, but I really want that basil to grow!! When I can use fresh basil for my Pesto Pecan Potato Salad, it will get kicked up a notch.

A friend had a plant sale this week and I just had to stop by. Three new artichoke plants and 3 new brussel sprout plants. To be honest, I was completely giddy. Seriously excited. Woo hoo! Weekend after next, they will get their own special place in the garden. No, I cannot stop planting and expanding.

Well more rain and then sun scheduled for this week! Here we go!

 

How is your garden doing?

 

(Photos to come)

 

How Does Your Garden Grow? {May 29, 2012} ...finally!

I have to start with this carrot. You see, we haven't had much luck with carrots over the years and when we saw these greens bursting forth from our garden, we really thought we were on to something great. The pride was incredible...and then we pulled it. Gardening sure can be humbling.

 These are some of my Hidatsa Reds. I threw seeds in every conceivable spot in our yard this year. This planter usually houses rosemary and tulips. This year I added in beans, sunflowers and potatoes. Yes, I had a couple extra...why not?

 Do you think I should thin out my cucumbers? I haven't had much luck with these over the years either. I planted some seed in some containers which I WILL thin, however, I am not sure what will be best for them after I do that. Tomato cage? Put next to a wall with a trellis? I am completely open to suggestions.

A special welcome to Flash, our newest source of fertilizer joy! He is incredibly sweet and the kids adore him. We haven't had a pet since our pup passed away two years ago. There is a pretty good chance that I just broke the dam. You see, at one point I had a 250 gallon salt water tank, 10 goldfish, 2 geckos. 5 toads, 2 hamsters and a dog. Then came the Lil Man and only the dog and goldfish stayed. I like pets...stay tuned.

 The peas are doing their pea thing. A friend, who is incredibly talented in the kitchen, suggested sautéing the tendrils and that they are one of her absolute favorite things. We are trying them tonight.

 Hmmm...pests. I am guessing that these are of the hoofed variety. The netting must go back down. Sad. The Good Apple will tell you that he doesn't mind if the deer eat his share of the chard, little does he know that it has been in all of his salads lately. Ya, take that. 

 The Lemon Balm is a constant battle these days, so buyer beware. Apparently, deer don't like to eat it...

...so they HAD to move right on to the chard!! It is encroaching on everything and I am pulling it out of my beds almost daily. Wahhhh. I know. Does my chard need a little thinning? Yes, and THAT is what I have been putting in our salads...the bits that I am thinning out! A friend gave me that great idea and we have been enjoying the "thinnings" from our spinach, chard and kale in most of our salads.


Our sunflower seed starts were over a foot tall and a wee bit pathetic, so I planted all 50+ of them today in various parts of the yard. Fingers crossed, these are another plant I have not had as much success as I would like. I had set out to plant them with the Lil Man since he started them, however, his new KungFu Panda toys won and I was left to plant on my own...or so I thought. Lil Miss (who had just ripped off her diaper and threw it in the grass) handed me each and every sunflower start. My mama heart was l e a p i n g. Honestly, it made my day to have her want to help out. Back and forth to the tray, she brought them to me, one by one. Love.

I am still doing my photo a day challenge and I just had to share this little beauty that I captured yesterday. I love poppies even though they never last long. Look at that red. Divine.

So...tell me...how is your garden doing?

All photos are taken by Val Curtis and can be used with permission only.

These Moments- X and more

I ran out of letters this week, so I had to get a little creative. Next month's theme is Color. I can't wait!

X is for...

Almost an X.

Y is for Yardwork

A little before and after of Phase I.

Z is for Zipper

I played with a new app.

Handwritten Letters

Garden

Going Greek - Pi

Mailboxes

...and this is one I took today, I just HAD to throw it in here because I am so excited that I conquered the Towhee this year.

 

Sunday's Planting

Pea Delay

Today is Presidents' Day, Pea Planting Day. It is also the day that I have decided to postpone, not the National Holiday, just the peas. BK (Before Kids) I would have rallied to get the job done because it was on my list. Kids force you to let go of OCD ways. Sick kids force you to put on the brakes, stay in your jammies and watch a stream of movies with intermittent naps, snacks, snuggles, and clean up (that's all I am saying).

So today I will wipe noses (including my own), check fevers and administer home remedies to my babes while watching the last half of "Finding Nemo" (the first half is "too scary"). This is truly gardening with kids. The peas can wait...and they will. The set meal plan can wait...and it will.

Ahhhchooo! Time to go wipe a nose.

Planting Peas

I overheard someone in the hardware store last year. They claimed, "You ALWAYS plant your peas on President's Day." Well, it was two weeks past, so I knew I had missed the boat. Then there was the whole Towhee saga. Peas were moderately successful in our garden last year. We had plenty to snack on; however I was not able to freeze as many as I had wished.

This is a new year and right now I am in research mode. First, I created my seed list and checked out that my seeds were safe. Next, I started to calendar when I will be planting everything. Now there is the ideal time to plant and the realistic time. But what if you are unsure WHEN to plant. Off to Google Search and I found this from the WSU Extension campus (which happens to be on our island). Local and trustworthy.

Is it True That Peas Should Be Planted on February 22nd, Washington's Birthday? That seems awfully early.

Some gardeners with light, well-drained soils may want to plant on this traditional date. Most of us with typical, heavy, western Washington soils should wait until early to mid-March. The extra time will allow the soil to dry and warm a bit more.


Peas are quite hardy, but they will rot if planted in cold, soggy soil. Last year on February 22nd I took a picture of ducks wading in a big puddle in the middle of a Seattle community garden. With the unusually wet winter we have had so far, a delay will probably be needed again this spring for many of us. For lots more information on growing peas, see All About Peas. ~ Holly Kennell, Extension Agent, WSU

Alrighty.  Next resource, The Farmer's Almanac. Their site is loaded with great info and I have bookmarked this one that lists the best planting dates for seeds. (The link is for my local info, just type in your zip code to find out yours). Well low and behold, it says from "January 28- February 11". Well, I have missed the boat again!

This year President's Day is on Monday, February 20. That is the day my peas will go in. Last year they went in during the first week of March. We will see!

A bit about growing peas.

1) There are three main types: a) Sugar Snap, b) Shelling and c) Snow. Sugar Snap Peas are a kid-favorite variety because you can pull them right off the vine and have a snack. Plump-bodied and you can eat it pod and all. Very few make it to our kitchen. Shelling Peas are great for blanching and freezing or drying so you can have that fresh spring taste during the winter months. Snow Peas, with their flat pods, are also great for freezing and using fresh in stir-frys, pasta dishes and salads. This year we will be starting out with Sugar Snap and Shelling Peas.

2) Soak before you plant. Get those seeds in some water 12-24 hours before you put them in the ground.

3) Provide them with a climbing space. Once they sprout, they will send out tendrils that be searching for a place to connect. The more they connect, the more they grow. Beware, if you do not provide this space for them, you will end up with a matted mess. I like to use 4" square netting and I gently guide the tendrils to open spaces.

Oops! Give them climbing space.

4) Inoculate or no? Many gardeners use an inoculant of nitrogen-fixing bacteria to boost their seeds. This is helpful in newly tilled soil; however, if you are planting in an established garden, it is not as necessary.

5) Protect those seeds! Last year, I placed cloching fabric over my seeds for the first three weeks. This will keep the birds from picking them clean. Also, once those tender little shoots are popping through, they provide another treat for the local herbivores. Protect, but give them room to grow. I had serious bird issues last year and I forgot to remove the netting I had put up to protect the peas. Serious waste of plants. They started growing all over one another. Boo.

6) Harvest every 1-3 days to keep the plants productive.

7) These are nitrogen-fixing plants and they are great for your soil. When your harvest is done, till the shoots under to compost over the winter for an added boost. Good stuff.

8) Plant extras so you can use the shoots in stir-frys in the Spring. They are delicate and full of that fresh taste Spring brings to our plates from our garden.


When planting:

• Plant when the temps are cool. Soil needs to be 45 degrees and soil should not stick to your tools. Early Spring or Early Fall in most zones. 
• Soak your seeds
• Inoculate your seeds
• Plant your seeds 1" deep and two inches apart.
• Give them support.
• Direct fertilizer can damage the seeds. Be careful.
• Mulch plants once the shoots have emerged to keep the soil cool.

Which varieties will you be planting this year? Do you have any helpful pea planting tips?

How Does Your Garden Grow? 072611

Today felt like a garden love story. I had about 5 minutes to take pics in the garden before the day got too bright and I headed out with a feeling of despair. What WILL I take pictures of today? At first I was a grump, the deer nipped off all of my strawberries and plants in one barrel because the netting came off and I for got to replace it AND my beloved snap peas were on their way out. Grrrrrrr.

I hope you enjoyed them Bambi.

Bye Bye Snaps

But then, the zukes, the shelling peas, oh the shelling peas and their beautifully frantic tendrils. Then my onions which are the LOVE of my garden this summer. They are gorgeous, deliciously sweet and plentiful. What more could I ask for? Then I continue on to find new pumpkins, a RED cherry tomato and more. Here is a photo tour. Enjoy and Angela, please don't lick your screen! ;)

Canoe Shelling Peas

Tendrils

More tendrils

Tendrils, do you see why I love them so?

Onion love. These babies are a gardener's dream.

Sorry broccoli, I forgot about you. But did you see the onions? and the tendrils?

Baby pumpkin  

Protecting my babies 

Do you see the RED?!?!

Vegetable Jungle Madness

Soon.

How does YOUR garden grow?? Please share I want to see yours. I showed you mine. ;)

Need / Want / Like / Love - Peas & Strawberries

The conversation goes a little like this: "C, I am heading into the garden to grab some food for tonight. Would you like to join me?" "No Mom, I am going to play with my cars". "I am taking your sister with me". "Ok, have fun". Alrighty then.


But I  know that I have an unfair advantage in my ploy to get my creative little car player outside. With his sister on my back, I show up at the picture window, a juicy, red strawberry in hand, and I pass it to the baby. A little response, but not enough to fight the pull of the cars. My next attempt. "Ooooooooh Lil' Miss, do you see those HUGE snap peas? I bet you and I could just eat them ALL UP!" Listening. Waiting.

"Nooooooooooooooooooooo!" Out he charges. Boots are on and his hands are thrust forward to reach for a sugary snap pea. We have waited and worked hard for these little babies and he knows it. 


Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. The sound of my little 7 month old on my back who skipped right over the usual purees that most babies love and into curried chicken, pears, blueberries, strawberries and snap peas. I am still adjusting to this, but she loves it ALL.


Next thing I know. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. This time it is from my little man. "Oooooooh that was a good one. Mom, can I have a strawberry and then another pea?" Music to my ears. "Dig in and snack away little man". 


We need the food our garden provides for our table, but the fact that my kids love the garden and picking sweet treats from within sends me to the clouds and back. Love.

Good morning from the Garden

Heirloom lettuce. Ready to go.

Note: Do a VERY thorough removal of slugs from your lettuce before you eat it.

More peas getting ready for us. Finally.

Basil is one of my BIG crops this summer. I am hoping to make a lot of pesto.

This is the first time I have planted spring onions. They did VERY well and they are ready to pick. Now I just have to get my drying rack unpacked and built.

~Say What?!?~ peas

This is entry #1 for the Gardening Hall of Shame. Note: Remove bird netting before the peas go wild otherwise you will end up with:

Ok, snicker away at my expense. Every year has to have it's failures so we can LEARN, right? We have learned from our mistakes, fixed the problem, updated our gardening journal and now, publicly humiliated ourselves. Now that we have that out of our systems, CHECK THIS OUT!

Peas! Can you believe it? All of the drama and now we have sweet peas. If I see a certain Towhee, I might even offer him one as a peace offering.


We are up to our elbows in spinach, lettuce, peas and strawberries right now and we should have some zucchini by the end of the week. I had to prep my better half about the beginning of zucchini season at dinner tonight. His response was very neutral.


If you are a neighbor and you are reading this, come grab a head of heirloom salad greens or some spinach! (Keep your fingers off the strawberries. A certain 4 year old doesn't believe in sharing these.)

All photos are taken by Val Curtis and can be used with permission only.