marigolds
I always plant marigolds in the corners of my raised vegetable beds. They usually grow keep blooming into November. The roots of marigolds contain a substance that is toxic to certain types of soil pests (nematodes). Marigolds are considered good companion plants for lots of vegetables, including beans, basil, cabbage and cucumbers. But I mostly like the way they add color to the garden.
summer squash
Finally, I have lots of little squashes on the way. This variety is Yellow Crookneck. Described as a warted, heavy producer.
sunflowers and bees
I planted my sunflower seeds too late this year and they didn’t sprout. So couple weeks ago I bought some sunflower plants to make a nice row. They are short, about 3 feet tall, but blooming nicely and lots of buds coming. The bees love them. They get sooo coated with pollen its a wonder they can fly.
Early Girl tomato
This tomato was delicious! I put the dates of the pictures in the lower right corner. (Click on the picture to enlarge it.) The flower bloomed on June 22. About 40 days from flower to ripe tomato. Solanum lycopersicum
all-in-a-row: cherry tomatoes
I’ll pick my first ripe tomatoes tonight. The one in the picture plus a couple of Early Girls. These are Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes.
cucumber salad
I was surprised yesterday by finding a hiding cucumber. It was in between the lattice of my trellis and I hadn’t noticed it before. So we got a spur- of-the-moment cuke salad. I found a recipe in The Victory Garden Cookbook, Marion Morash (one of my favorite’s) and modified it to use things I had in my ‘fridge: 1/4 cup plain yogurt, some chopped dill and mint (both fresh from my garden) several cloves of garlic a little gray salt some lime juice Mix together, then add sliced cucumber. Serve…
This is a journal of my vegetable gardens. Skippy thinks the garden is his, even though I do all the work. We're located near Boston, in USDA zone 6. I have bees, chickens, fruit trees and berry bushes, too. I use all sustainable organic methods and strive to grow all of my family's vegetables myself. -Kathy
weeks and counting until my last spring frost
My garden this week
Skippy’s vegetable of the month – Egyptian walking onions!
