My 2023 Summer Garden

 

 

 This planting season was far from being my best. The numerous seeds that I planted did not sprout, or sprouted and died, despite my nearly daily watering.

 

I did enjoy a few of the eggplant, mini tomatoes, and banana peppers, as they were purchased as plants and not seeds. However, as I waited for the last two eggplants to grow - they went into reverse - imploded, so to speak.

 

 

 Instead of becoming larger, they shrank.

 

 From my garden as of yesterday, on one stalk.

I only use chicken manure from my chickens, as fertilizer.

These are just some of the girls. They are about five months old.   

 

 

 

I absolutely love banana peppers. 

 

HE Loves To Fish

 

Blue and Green Hand - Embroidered Partial Hearts

 

Crazy Quilt Blocks

  

 

Each block is 10x10 inches

 

I love doing hand embroidery; and I love to fish.

 

Blocks are crazy - log cabin style.

 

 

 

Would a CHICKEN consider gardening?

 

 

Well, she looks as though she is curious about the shovel.

 

Guessing, she decided that bugs are more entertaining.

 

Broccoli - root failure here.

I planted several store-bought broccoli roots here. No broccoli materialized.

 

Hardy Winter vegetables.

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Ever Cooked Fish Casserole?

That's what is currently giving my oven a work-out.

 

The ingredients are: fish, broccoli, cauliflower, purple onion, carrots, cilantro, garlic, salt, pepper, etc.

 

 

Done, and partially ingested.  Yummy.

 

 

 

A few Health Food Goodies; and more of my Summer 2013 Garden

I know that it has been too long again since I've updated my blog; so, here I go.

While out shopping this past Summer 2013, I became thirsty, wandered into a nearby Health Food Store to find many cans of Coconut water chilling on ice.  At that moment, I couldn't remember ever having tasted coconut water, so I thought I'd give it a try. Yikes, the taste was despicable; but I almost immediately noticed that I became very energized. (I ended up returning in a few days, and buying a CASE of the stuff)  It's an acquired taste, for sure.

You'll never be able to accuse me of not being HEALTH CONSCIOUS. (ok. I do eat junk sometimes as well)

Recently, I loaded up on a variety of  recommended healthy goodies.  I'd never heard of  "jaggery" before a nice Indian buddy recommended it. Upon entering a local Arab/Indian store, I couldn't remember the name of the product, asked the clerk for "Faggery", of which he politely corrected me that the name is actually "jaggery". I made the purchase, but is still waiting for the opportunity to use it. (I think that I'll use it in cinnamon rolls in a couple of weeks)

The above photo shows damage done to my much loved broccoli, by my trusted three chickens. (oh, you don't see the worse part of the damage)

I'll admit that my gardening experience this 2013 summer is about the worse I've ever experienced. Though some of the vegetables did grow well, the majority was re-planted several times, with little success. (guessing the vegetable Gods were rather relaxed this past planting season; perhaps they spent too much time fishing, for which I can't blame them for, for I love to fish myself, BUT, someone has to tend the garden, LOL).

My BEST helpers.

My Vegetable Garden 2013 (Part 1)

I kept my word this year, and really did begin my garden in early March. Everything is planted from seeds except for the

broccoli,

and the red onions.

The red cabbage survived the 110+ temperatures of last Summer; and this past Winter.

One of the plots

The Turnips and Arugula had popped through the soil after only FOUR days.

Below is the first plot that I began. I originally made it circular, but later squared it.

Of course, the girls, chickens, were always helpful.

 The two lower plots.

In the meantime, the pears, peaches and plums were developing.

 The upper three plots.

Red onion after a week or so.

Sweet pea.

 Broccoli.

 I could no longer resist the broccoli. I made Broccoli Rabe with the leaves.

 I made Broccoli Rabe with the leaves.

Arugula and turnips.

 Beets or Swiss Chard

 Arugula (close-up)

Stay tuned...... There is more to come. Please feel free to comment.