Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Garden updates

i'm extremely behind on my garden this year. i just keep looking at the date, and then at the big empty patch in my garden...ugh. This has been a very weird year on so many levels. We had a lot of company this spring, and that and the unpredictable weather, just really through me out of my usual groove. i've been in no hurry to plant things, just slowly working on it in my time.
It's okay. i hate to say the passion isn't here this year, but the urgency isn't. The need to do it all right now, that i usually have...just isn't there. i've been taking my time, and i know it'll be alright.

We did get some of our cold crops in March, so we are now harvesting peas and broccoli.



We put in two rows of Sugar snaps, and the kids are always picking them and munching on them all day long. We love to eat them raw in the pods, or lightly saute them with a bit of garlic and sesame oil. i like to blanch and freeze these as well. They are great for adding to a stir fry or bean thread soup.


Our broccoli is doing great despite the warm temps. i've spend a lot of time picking off cabbage worms, and removing eggs...ahh...the joys of organic gardening. We put in 16 broccoli this spring, and 8 cauliflower. i'll be spending the next couple of days cleaning, blanching and freezing broccoli. One of the problems i have with broccoli is that it seems to ready to pick at the same time. i've tried staggering them a bit, but as soon as it gets really warm it wants to go to seed. My cauliflower was put in a bit late, and this is the first time i've tried growing it...so i'm eager to see how it does.


We put in 50lbs of potatoes again this year, and they seem to be doing quite well. They are flowering and have not shown any symptoms of blight...which is a huge thing for us. My tomatoes are looking great so far as well. Again they were put in a little late, but are growing well, flowering and not showing any signs of blight yet. This year i put in about 30 plants, all heirloom. i'd like to get a few more, and try a few in containers as well. We also put in Sweet potatoes again this year, 27 plants. So we are anticipating a really good crop. My squash and cucumbers are all having a rather slow start.


Blueberries are just beginning to ripen, and the bushes are loaded! We are still getting some strawberries, although they never do as well as they should. The chickens, birds and slugs tend to get many of them.
i did this years garden differently, abandoning many of our traditional rows for patches instead. i do have some full rows planted, like the peas, bush beans and soy beans. Other things i've put into small patches, or just planted in random places where i found room. It'll be interesting to see how it all fills in and grows.

i've already been seeing way more insect pests than ever before, especailly on my flowers...so we'll how it goes this year. i've been outside daily picking off what i can, and spraying everything is soapy water. Now if only i could get the rest of it planted! :)

2 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, your garden looks fabulous! I'm jealous of your blueberries! And my son would love broccoli- I'm thinking of trying it in the Fall, when it is cooler here. Thanks for your comment!

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