The Harvest's Bounty

Here's the bounty of our harvest as of the middle of August. Well, I know it's not that much of a bounty, but over the weeks we continually get about this much every few days. I'm very proud of this, mostly because the grasshoppers have taken residence in our garden and those little buggers are eating up our hard work. They are tricky and quick which makes it all the more frustrating when I'm yelling at them.

These beautiful tomatoes were calling for me to keep them preserved somehow, someway and I love to keep summer flavor...so off to research I go.

While researching I gently covered my precious tomatoes. I wasn't sure how we were going to dry and by the power of the internet, I found three different ways - over, dehydrator, and car. We have a borrowed dehydrator with no manual so I was leary to do that and I wasn't too sure about the consistency of the dashboard of the car so I decided to try the oven method....and I left them in too long.

Then my heart broke when I saw the crispy, dark red "chips" sitting on the cookie sheet instead of summer flavors preserved in the Italian red color I was expecting. Ouch, ouch, ouch. They tasted terrible! So now what?

Ken and I babysat the dehydrator one afternoon and checked those tomatoes like they were turning into gold. I'm going to leave you hanging and will post the pretty, red tomatoes on the next post.

p.s. they turned out great!!!

Planted Garden

We worked really hard on the garden the last few days. I keep telling myself, "it's worth the work!" We plotted out the plan and, Ken and Papa, put up a fence to keep the critters out. The ground was tilled about 3 times so it's nice and soft and very easy to work with.

I dug the rows, 9 rows with a walkway between sets of three (so we can reach the goodies when they're ripe). I then laid the soaker hoses and black fabric to keep the roots protected. Don't worry the roots will not rot under the fabric; this is such a windy area, they will be perfect. Secure the plastic with pins so the wind doesn't blow your hard work away.

More plastic and end of day one (and end of back muscles).

Day two is the fun part, planting the transplants. I was not on my game this year so I did not grow these plants from seed. Rather, I supported our local green house and bought transplants instead. It's a little late to put in the garden but I don't think it's too late.

Once the plastic is down, cut an "X" on the top of the mound where you want the plant to be and then take your fingers and make a little spot for the plant to drop into. The ground should be so soft that you don't even need a shovel.

I always wear gloves so my hands don't get too dirty!

Once the plant is in the hole, just cover with dirt and lay the "X" flap around it. This will keep the weeds down!

We may have to finesse our new plants but I think they will do ok.

I lay the plants out on the fabric so I know that I have plenty of room before I start cuttin holes in the fabric. Read the garden tab to see proper spacing for each plant.

And don't forget to have fun in the garden. I'm trying push Ken over in the mud after I fell...he's frustratingly strong, ugh.

Hay Bales and Gardens

We are not quite there yet, I realize that, but this is what I crave this time of year! I feel stretched to be inticed by the warm weather and still confined by the cool weather.

I can't wait to see the green leaves and beautiful blossoms in the garden. These are pictures from last year that I look at to help me get excited about the "planning" for this year. Every garden needs a plan even if the plan is one container on the porch with a tomato plant in it. It's funny how pennies on the dollar can make you feel so good.


The hay bales were beautiful but the garden is a source of our food, a test of deligency, and a reward of self-accomplishment. So the question is... Is utility the antonym for creativity? Or... Does utility beget creativity? I think creativity comes from utility and some of the most creative things have come from a spin-off of the most practical items.
How is a garden creative? You might creatively share the harvest, or creatively try a new recipe. You might put a plant on the front porch that brings joy to people walking down the street. I've seen veggies growing out of old coffee cans, beautiful planters, and even old tires. Be creative and use what you have.
These pictures are nature's true colors. I did not enhance any of them. They are generously green...naturally.


My challenge is for you to think about planting something this Spring....don't plant yet...just think about it.
Post in the comment section you think you might plant, and I will give you personal support!!!