Strawberries

We have been growing strawberries again this year, and I am pleased with our results.  We have only 7 plants in containers and they are all of the everbearing variety, so we have been getting a steady, though small, supply of berries for the last 2 months.  Our plants are still producing berries.  In fact, they are still flowering, so we may continue getting berries for some time to come.  I am super excited that in the last weeks they have begun sending out runners.  You can see some of them in the above picture, taken Saturday. I am hoping to be able to make an entire raised bed (4 X 8) just for strawberries.

It is Pickle Season

We are practically swimming in cucumbers and banana peppers.  That is a sure sign we've entered pickle season.  We had one cucumber from my garden at Dad's last week and 16 since Saturday morning.  This afternoon, I'm making pickles. 

Garden Transformation

We have a German Shepherd who is very enthusiastic and does lots of damage to our things, especially our garden endeavors.  In our suburban home, he has the back yard and we have the rest of the place - until recently that is.  A few weeks ago, we put up a storm fence that separates the back yard into two sections; one for him and one for the rest of us.  I'm so pleased because now the baby has an outdoor place to play we have an outdoor place to entertain and now I have a place to garden.  For now, I have  moved most of my containers to the back and we are beginning to build raised beds and plant perenials.   We have a lot planned and I am excited to be able to get started on it all and watch it unfold.

Harvest May 26, 2012

I have an 8X8 foot garden at my parent's farm.  This is today's harvest from that garden plus chives from my container garden at home.  Cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, sweet banana peppers, hot peppers, one cherry tomato, one roma tomato, and chives. 

Making Tea

I've been reading some about making tea from herbs, fruit and flower, so a few weeks ago, I started experimenting.  My favorite, so far, is a blend of store bought green tea and home grown and dried rose petals. 

We are also growing rosemary, lemon verbena, lavender and mint (the first three of which are pictured above.  I am hoping to create some blends from these and other herbs.

If you grow or mix your own tea, please share your tips in the comments.

Garden Update May 20, 2012

I was really hoping to do a better job of documenting my garden, but unfortunately, life has gotten in the way a bit.  This was my harvest from yesterday.  It includes a Black Krim tomato, 3 Roma tomatoes, 3 strawberries and my first zuchini