One of my better gardening choices

This is my office on a typical morning - checking emails, ebay, paying bills, etc.


Most mornings, the window is open for the morning breeze to blow through the screen.



This past spring, I planted the two rose bushes that have the reputation of extremely fragrant blossoms. I also planted lots and lots of sweet peas.


And my plan worked! Every time I sit down to the computer, I smell the most intense sweet fragrances of these flowers as their scent blows in on the breeze. Smart planning Shannan! (and they don't look too shabby as cut flowers on my desk as well)

Boo to the farmers market

Farmer's Markets are all the rage. I mean, c'mon, you have to be living under a rock the past five years to not understand how trendy, hipster, "green", and fabulous it is to shop locally, esp. at the local farmer's market. Under normal circumstances, I would say that I whole hearted agree with this concept.

HOWEVER...and it's a big however....I have found that the more I grow my own produce and the more I learn about fruits, vegetables, and such, the more I realize that the farmer's market just isn't for me. I go into these markets with such happiness and energy that I support this movement, but this summer the few times I have visited my farmer's market, I feel so disappointed when I leave.

Case in point: This is what I picked yesterday from my garden.

ALL ORGANIC - pint of blueberries, handful of pickling cucumbers, three zucchini




A entire basket of  green beans, a few walla wall onions


Another basket of basil and a few more pickling cucumbers.


Imagine what this would have cost me at the farmer's market. Also, I know exactly what I grew and I knew how to cook it, etc.

The other day I went to the farmer's market looking for beets. I have never really eaten them, but I hear such great things about them, I thought I would try some before I made the commitment to buy seeds and grow them. I went to three different stands and I asked all of the people behind the register how to cook the beets and what is their favorite. All three were cranky and unhelpful and one didn't even know how to locate a beet on the table. I was so disappointed. I did buy some beets, and I did like them roasted, but I won't be going to farmer's market to purchase them again.


I also read this story recently from a fellow gardener blogger about her experience with farmer's markets and inability to discern what a tomato is. Blah!

I feel even more discouraged as I write this. Oh well.



If you are wondering what I made with some of those fabulous green beans - I blanched them, then caramelized some of my Walla walla onions, and stir fried the green beans, onions, basil flower heads (leftover from the basil I picked for pesto), and toasted walnuts. It was so fresh and flavorful.

Late July Garden

The summer has finally started!  Up until late July, the weather has been cool and kind of rainy - never getting above mid-70's (I know people in the midwest and east are growling as they read this, but it is true!) I've been babying my little garden along and finally now that the heat has set in, my plants are growing like crazy.

So let's meander down through the garden, shall we?

Pepper plants - happy against the white house and light stone pathways - very hot

 Can you see the peppers? Hopefully they'll turn red by the end of the summer!

Romaine lettuce that grew in the cool shade of the tomato plants. Looks like we're having some Cesear salad soon.

Bush bean plants - I thought I planted the rows far apart, but I guess I didn't. Purple, yellow, and green beans.

Walla walla sweet onions - this is my first year growing these. So far, I think, so good.

The squash plants. This bed is on the east part of the house and I planted so many plants because I was afraid they wouldn't grow. Well, they are growing like crazy vines. Right into the dogs' poop patch!

Baby pumpkins

Eggplant - my first Millionaire. Yeah! These are fantastic brushed with a little EVOO and grilled or roasted. They have a sweet nutty flavor.

Blueberries

I noticed that a few of my plants were looking a little droopy and yellow. So I figured it was time to give them a little liquid boost. I've used fish fertilizer in the past for seedlings, but never on a large scale for the garden. First of all, fish fertlizer is organic and water soluable - which is great. But it stinks - oh lordy does it stink.

 I have this old miracle grow sprayer from back in the day before I went organic. I use this sprayer for watering my plants because it has a great spray. But then I had this great idea to put about a half cup of fish fertilizer in this and add water and see how it goes. Well it worked great - but smelly smelly yard! (can I just say that the next day, my plants looked so perky and happy)

This leggy tomato plant has been sitting in its pot, waiting for the peas to peter out so I could pull them out and plant this tomato. Finally, this past week I decided to pull the plug on the peas (they were still going!) and put the tomato plant where it needs to go. Would you believe there were roots coming out the little water drainage hole in the bottom?

I gave all my tomatoes a nice haircut and pruning session. 

 Tomatoes, bush beans, and onions

Beginnings of Cherokee Purple tomato

San Marzano 'Gigante' roma tomatoes - it looks like I'm going to have a steady supply for salsa and sauces.

Roma plant after it's haircut