indoor/outdoor garden update/notes

no new recipes to post at this time so spending some time gardening

picture sheet from 04/12/2012, planted approximately 04/01/2012

05/05/2012

thinned multiples to separate containers

some planted in the garden 05/14/2012

flats outside in the warm weather (mid 60’s-70’s) during the day, some days in at night, rain fall, full sunshine, better growth.

 

NOTES

• original plantings, tomato, muskmelon, peppers, cauliflower, brussels sprouts.
• planted muskmelons outdoors too early before soil was warm (start again)
• sprouted over the stove, under counter fluorescent light and natural sunlight kitchen window sill
• using fish emulsion (2-3-1) $12.85/pint and root developer (4-10-3) $7.85/pint sparingly , rainwater when possible, just a bit of 10-10-10, 4lbs@$9.95 granular in some (Miller Nurseries)
• jiffy 7 peat pots for starter, moistened in enclosed container, no water.

  Burgess 8306     Jiffy-7 Quantity 24          $3.79

• transplant mix , garden soil unsterilized, compost, sand, perlite
• approximately 21 seedlings planted 05/14/2012, tomato, brussel  sprouts, cauliflower, two days light rain followed.
• some failures  getting some onions and chives started

 

OUTDOOR GARDEN

Cilantro, Sage,  Parsley (2), Dill, Oregano(2)

• Oregano and  Parsley was split
• Dill and Cilantro new this season

 

 

Raspberries in full force growth

Dwarf Flowering Cherry (Prunus besseyi)

yet to be transplanted

Winter Hardy Brussell Sprouts/garden update

Being a mild overcast day and temperatures forecasted to be on the increase, garden work was on schedule today. After picking off the leaves wilted from the cold but relatively mild winter, the brussell sprout planting that survived the winter looked like this.

 

 

or course I sampled a few leaves of the sprouts, scrumptious!

I gave the sprout plant some water and a feeding, anxious to see the continued growth.

 

 

While out there it was a good day to double dig a few rows for some direct seed plantings.

It doesn’t look like much, but enough work (exercise) for now in preparation of planting some root vegetables

possibly turnip and parsnips.

Raked out the rest of the garden and the raspberry area.

It’s amazing to watch the berries fill out from the scraggly canes. I’m going to let the berries  spread more to the left. (East)

Also after reviewing some of the pictures, there is a consistently blurry area to the left, not seen  in all the pictures here as some of the photos are cropped.

I looked at the lens of the camera, bla! smudgy lens needs cleaning, must be from the close up food pictures ?!

Garden thoughts

brussell sprout plants

Harvested from the garden back in December of 2011 (sounds like along time ago), and as I have many pictures taken and not blogged, I have had the chance to utilize the brussel sprouts plants sprouts and leaves . Note: my spell checker keeps suggesting “Brussels”. The sprouts did not form tightly as shown below and in the  in the recipe blog “Tomato Sauce with Pasta and Veggies” but they were crisp and delicious, even eaten raw. Going by the gardeners creed of making use of what ever grows that’s edible, I couldn’t bear to use toss the remainder  of the plant. The leaves were large and full, a deep green.

The brussell sprouts are to the right and all that was left of the plants after the sprouts and leaves were harvested from the main stem was the stalk which went to the compost pile. Actually it could have been peeled and sliced, possibly. I cut the stems from the leaves.                                          

                                   They are like celery but sweeter. So you can use them as you would for sauté and added to recipes.

I blanched the sprouts and the leaves in boiling water for a few minutes and dried them, then stacked the leaves in the freezer between sheet of waxed paper. They can be quickly brought to room temperature and then rolled and cut for soup or a salad. Now I couldn’t pass up the chance to stuff some some of these large slightly rubbery leaves, like stuffed cabbage.  Being right after thanksgiving and having some turkey soup base available, I mixed the turkey with gravy with some prepared bulgur wheat. It does sound a bit strange, but this new combination proved to be a good example of cooking with what you have available.

The stuffed rolled brussell sprout leaves.

Since the filling is made with the cooked turkey, they can be eaten as is, warmed up or frozen for later consumption.

(the lighting makes one look a bit red)

The turkey stuffed leaves are best eaten with a fork and knives as the leaves do put up a slight resistance to bite. I possibly could have boiled them longer but I like some crunch. I definitely like the taste if these plants. I’ll have to check  on my seed supply, for a planting of these for the  2012 garden.

Addendum: As of this writing there is still one more plant out in the garden believe it or not !(January 8th 2012) The few nights of freezing temps did not completely ruin the plant. Some of the leaves have drooped to cover the sprouting mini leaves on the main stalk and they are still bright green. Looks like we’ll get another meal or two of brussell greens !!!

MMMMMMMMMMM…………………….

yardwork and garden

Roasted Tomatoes

A recipe for your fresh picked garden tomatoes

An easy way to add flavor and a different way to cook tomatoes for many uses.

Cut the tomatoes in half and arrange on a oven proof pan etc.

Top with Garlic and herbs, here, fresh oregano and sage.

Drizzle some oil (olive oil preferred) over them and a bit of salt and pepper and bake for about 30 minutes at 350 or so. 

 (you can eat them as is without roasting as I did, saving some for roasting) MMMMMMMMMMM……

After roasting you can eat as is, on bread , toast, or with pasta, that’s just a start.

Dice them, put in a bowl, for savory tomato sauce.  Add other ingredients, onion, pepper etc for the freshest tasting salsa you’ve ever eaten !!!

garden august 2011

garden update

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

garden update

“HEY ! I GOT TO EAT TOO!”
I know but I found 2 garden toads out there this year, Good Luck!

Update 06/25/2011

Early pickings from the garden

one of the onion plantings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprouts

02/20-02/27 planting progress

cauliflower
tomato
onions
peppers (green)
brussel sprouts
_______________
sage
oregano
caraway
thyme
dill

Update : being an amateur gardener most sprouts did not survive in my homemade seed starter, I have started new cauliflower tomato onions peppers (green) brussel sprouts with better results.

Will replant some more herbs later. Some onions and shallots and garlic have been direct planted in the garden some have sprouted up. I should get some beans planted asap.