In the Garden

Besides the sprouting ducklings, the garden is starting to give up some real goodness. I spent a good part of yesterday taming the weeds that blossomed in my absence back into submission. I've become emboldened by the success of starting almost everything from seed. The only plants were cabbage, one Black Prince tomato, and a few jalapeno peppers.

The tomatoes are happy and growing strong (I'm keeping fingers crossed). They are loaded with fruit. For the first time I've had success with cabbages. Mulch, mulch, diatomaceous earth and neem and mulch! While they are just the standard Dutch Early Round and a Bonnie Hybrid from the feed store, they are crisp and sweet and everything I could want. We've made some scrumptious cole slaw and Charlie is planning on canning some Kim Chee.














About 3/4 of the beets have been pulled and are awaiting pickling and canning. We had our first helping of Golden Wax and Jade beans the other night. And finally success with the onions. I set out little pencil thin plants this year instead of sets. Again mulch, mulch, mulch. And I left what weeds sprouted alone or cut them back. I've been rewarded with big, fat Walla Wallas and to-die-for Reds. The Kirby Whippoorwill cowpeas are coming along as well as the Roma, Trionfo Violetto, and Jacob's Cattle beans. I planted another couple of rows of beans yesterday as well as the Haricot Rouge du Burkina Faso cowpeas (I figure all the heat will do those African peas some good).

Oh, and the dill - did I mention the dill? My first crop of volunteers is blooming and a second crop should be ready for the pickles!














My new favorite gardening book is Edward C. Smith's The Vegetable Gardener's Bible. I'm crediting it with my organic success. That and chicken poop.

Oh, and a Happy 4th of July to you Americans. I need to get out and pick some more beans, mulch and weed then make up some deviled eggs for our 2nd Annual Fourth of July Party. We'll be having chicken, of course and some hot dogs and brats, lots of friends and maybe a few illicit fireworks when the sun goes down.