Well, I sheepishly realize that I haven't posted in a while ... it was not my greatest summer. Between the weather, which made gardening difficult and tomatoes nigh on impossible, and the weeding (the only thing that grew without problems in the garden this year were the multitudes of weeds), I was kept very busy. With a non-spray garden, weeding is taking up more and more time every year, especially thistles and the dandelions which blow in from everywhere. I weed a patch, move on to another, and by the time I finish the second (a day or so later), the first is full of weeds again. A never-ending process, or at least it was this past summer.

The flower garden looked a little ragged by the end of the year, as I concentrated more of my efforts on the vegetables patches, but aside from the tomatoes which were poor due to the crazy summer weather we had, I ended up with a pretty good harvest.

The beans, especially were quite productive, so we were kept in shelling beans for the second half of the summer, and lots of dried beans to save for the winter months. The squash was INCREDIBLY productive this year, even more so than usual. I completely ran out of interesting recipes for squash and had to google some. I'll post a couple at some point, as I'm sure they will be quite helpful for other people who end up with too many squash all within the space of several weeks. I will be planning for fewer squash plants next year.

I just ordered my seed potatoes for next summer. I was disappointed this past year, as we got record amounts of rainfall within a couple weeks in early summer, and one entire batch of potatoes drowned. Not only died, but actually drowned. The garden couldn't drain fast enough because there was just so much water. Flooding everywhere, cities and streets, and in my potato patch as well. I'm hoping optimistically more less rain this year, a more normal amount at least, and am trying two new varieties. Last year I grew Irish Cobbler (which tastes great, keeps really well, and is fairly productive - good for mashed potatoes) and Seglinde (beautiful potato, lovely taste, thin skin - great for roasting whole, or quartering for soups, casseroles, because you don't need to peel it). I liked them both but wanted to try something new, so I'll be expecting German Butterball and Sangre. The variety that drowned last summer was the specialty one Nicola, which is supposed to have a very low glycemic index (good for people watching their carb intake like diabetics). I'll see if I can find that one again, I bought it locally last year.

As far as canning and preserving, I did "put up" several recipes, most tried and true one but a couple new attempts:
 Sour Cherry Lime Rickey Jam (new)
Raspberry Lime Jam
Dill Pickles
Pickled Roasted Red Peppers (new and delicious!)
-and-
Frozen:
Garlic Scape Pesto
GMO-free corn, "creamed"
Salsa
-also-
all the dried herbs (Parsley, Basil, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme), dried Chili Powder, dried Beans.

We ate a lot fresh from the garden, and I didn't get enough tomatoes to can, only to eat fresh and use. Hopefully next year will be better. I'm just starting to think about planning for next summer, which varieties I want to grow, which colour tomatoes we're going to try, how to reorganize certain areas, what worked well and what I want to change or add... it is still early but come mid-March, it will be time to start Onion and Pepper seeds!


 

Spring Trees in bloom

Just a couple photos today of our trees - The Magnolia tree is a real show-stopper for the week that it blooms every year. Doesn't last long, but puts on a spectacular show.

The cherry trees have had it tough the past couple years, with late frosts and huge storms stripping most of the blossoms away, we've had almost no cherries. This looks to be a good year so far though, it is laden with blossoms.

And here they both are together ... what an incredible sight!

Cabbage, Cucumbers, and Squash, Oh My!

So, about a week and a half ago, more seeds were sown ... April 8 (approx 4 weeks before outdoor planting day) is the time for the Cucumbers, Squash (both summer/zucchini and winter), Potatoes, and Cabbage. Also, if you want to start your lettuce and spinach inside before transplanting outdoors, this is the week. I usually just direct-seed mine outside in a couple weeks, when I do carrots and transplant the onions outdoors. Also, I am not starting potatoes yet ... they go directly outdoors too but with this winter of ours that refuses to let go (they are calling for another storm that might even bring some snow in the next couple days), I am going to hold off a little on the potatoes until the weather stabilizes. This is also the week that I start my sunflowers indoors.

So, let’s see ... what was sown?

Cucumber “Japanese Long” – this is supposed to be a burpless variety that closely resembles the type of cucumbers you buy in a store, and they don’t get bitter easily. I’ve never grown it before, but we shall see. It is an heirloom and I really hope it is tasty, I’m looking for a new cucumber variety.

Cucumber “National Pickling” – I’ve grown this heirloom before, and makes a great pickle at the end of the summer.

Zuccini “Black Beauty” – Compact plant and these look the most like the small green zucchini you find in the grocery store although tastier. Heirloom as well, and really versatile for using in the kitchen. One of our favourites!

Summer Squash “Costata Romanesco” – new to me this year, this is an heirloom Roman Zuccini. It is ribbed so the edges are scalloped when sliced and is supposed to have great flavour.

Winter Squash – “Boston Marrow” – orange-red hubbard-shaped winter squash, it is supposed to be dry and fine-grained. I am new to this one as well, but really looking forward to it. Apparently it makes a fantastic pumpkin pie, and great flavour, which is why I chose to try it this year.

Cabbage “Red Express” – we started eating more cabbage last summer. It is very healthy, lasts a good long while, and can be used in a variety of ways (soup, cabbage rolls, coleslaw, etc). I decided to try two this year, but I’ve never grown any sort of cabbage before so ... we’ll see how it goes... Red express is specifically bred for Canada and northern States, is compact and the heads are split-resistant (sounds like that should be important). This is the red variety, and is supposed to grow and mature quite quickly.

Cabbage “Early Jersey Wakefield” – Another early producer, this heirloom is green and supposed to be sweet with great flavour.

Sunflowers – “Starburst Blaze”, “Taiyo”, “Velvet Queen”, “Vanilla Ice”, “Henry Wilde”, “Terra Cotta”

And then I also had to re-seed a couple tomatoes. I only planted several seeds of each and there were a few varieties where none germinated, or maybe one did but it was growing slowly and weakly, so I wanted to plant a couple more just in case.

Really starting to look forward to the summer, getting outside and getting planting! Next post will probably be potatoes. Also, I had to mail order the seed potatoes this year, and haven’t received them yet. Hopefully in the next couple days. Crossing my fingers for Spring to really arrive, for good...