After another relatively long hiatus from posting on Gather, I finally got out in the garden and took some pictures!
Between way to much to do, yet feeling sort of blaze'. The trials of work being,well work, and Roc's hours at his new job; it has been sorta a crappy year.
I might add, I had my first computer melt down so it took it's first trip to the doctor since being online some 3 years. Not to mention my dental surgery issues that are still ongoing. And, a good friend of my is seriously ill.
It has all taken it's tole on me and I have been on an emotional roller coaster for some time now.
But, as usual ,my garden has been my oasis of normalacy(?) dispite a late surge of growth, everything is looking pretty good and I have been enjoying my first round of produce, simply green beans, they never seem to fail me!
Missouri Evening Primrose, very nice, but very large. It will have to be moved this fall.
Royal Burgandy bush beans do well here every year!
One of many varieties of basil. I kept them all in pots this year so they can go into the new hot house this fall.
Good cucumber year here.
Tibetan purple barley, this will be a regular here. I love it, very easy to grow!
Very healthy and strong tomato plants this year. Must have been the fish guts and cypress mulch!
Main veggie garden doing very well!
New part of herb garden. I have been harvesting and amazing amout of herbs this year and drying them for teas and such. The salad burnet is my suprise like of the year!
My three sisters arrangement for this year.
Though still small, squash are looking good!
Borage keeping the bugs away!
Sweet corn.
A great show of flowers this year, and a good seasonal rotation too!
A nice compfry, but will have to be moved, it is HUGE!
YUMMMM TATERS!
We have come a good way this year with the house and yard, but it seems unending still after 3 years. I am looking forward to the day I can post pictures of the house and all, but FOR SURE, it is not ready for viewing. I could use to win a lottery so I could pay for some help! But, we will get there eventually!
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Comments: 21
This is a very nice garden.
Hello, Sistah of the Heart.
Just HOW your garden grows! I'm not sure it is suposed to be "easy" nor "simple." Very few good things are either easy or simple. And, your garden looks very good.
I am truly sorry that you have so much grinch going on.
I'm wishing the best for you, (((wish! wish!)))
And send you both respect and affection. (hug yourself for me, Long distance.)
Blessed, Blessed, Blessed be,
Wilka
You have a fantastic garden.
Wonderful garden, LouAnne. What do you do with the barley? Grind it for flour? Soup?
Oh, and I'm sorry things have been stretching you thin. I've been sending you positive thoughts! I think of you all the time when I think of sourdough! My last batch would work well for boat anchors...whole wheat did not proof. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....I KNOW...I left out the honey!
HIYA ELLIE! I had no idea what I would be doing with the barley at first 'c ept for saving the seeds to grow as a cover crop ... but as it turns out...my nephew is a micro beer brewer, and wants me to grow some for him....he needs about ten pounds of it to brew a batch O' beer...Iwill be lucky to give him a half pound this year and still ave any seeds for myself.... personally I love barley soup.... and if soaked properly it goes well in whole grain breads...
My starter still works...but I do not seem to be able to control the bread anymore, and pretty much get the same thing no matter what I start out trying to do....my lack of concentration..might have a bit to do with that..but I am thinking of using up the last of it in a batch and then saving dough...see if that helps....it sure was a great start though...
Whole wheat with the germ still in it...is always better proofed long and slow at room temp...but this sour seems to want to get loose and soft...which is probably what is happening to you....I bought a bunch of really good flours last month...and it is still doing it to them....though I still do not need to add yeast to mine...so..well so...HA...I do not know..LOL...( there is actually a part of me that enjoys saying I don't know rguarding bread...roflao....
I have been baking mostly foccacia lately....if I bake at all....life has really changed with Roc's new job..I could use to be nearer a few more girl friends...it has really distanced us from each other..not a good thing...he has little to no intrest in doing anything outsid of work ...wants to go out to eat all the time and watch tv..thats about it....I am alone most of the time or cleaning up dishes from uneaten dinner or doing mega greasy laundry from his work clothes..grrrrrr
That makes sense about the whole wheat...and it was getting late and I was impatient. I threw it in the freezer. I wonder if the birds would eat it...probably just attract rats. However, rats may be too smart for it!
Know what we did with raw wheat and barley as kids? Chewed the kernels...it was as close to gum as we could get...until the dentist asked my mother what she was chewing on that was ruining her teeth! Ha! Like mother, like daughter!
Bummer about how the job is changing your family life. It must be taxing physically and/or emotionally. I can't remember exactly what job he took. I know that when it's nobody but my husband and me...after a long day of work, I don't feel like cooking. But I don't completely understand wanting to go out and not eat the yummy stuff you cooked...unless he doesn't want to feel pressure to help clean up.
you can always grind and dry for bread crumbs...SOOO much cheaper than buying them premade at the store...
Roc is driving a tow truck. Mostly insurance stuff, so it is not like he has to drum up business, but it is commission and he can be in three states in one day..gets paid by zones..so if he travels far and only has one car to pick up..well it doesnt pay to well..the companyhe works for seems to be very good..and there doesnt seem to be a lack of work...that is even better..hopefully will not poop out like construction....
I think when he is out later..I pack him a HUGE lunch..and he must eat some of it too late...so I have asked him to call if he is gonna be out late so I dont cook cook and just do an easy meal....but he'll come home and say I was too hungry to wait so I stopped at burger doodle....
it is all timing....and of course he has weekends off...and I dont....most of the time...
I have been thinking of looking for a different job....but really not to much intrests me anymore...so I ust dont know what to look for
I bet his job is tiring...it would be hard to be cooped up all day, even in the cab of a truck...and I understand the timing thing.
I would think you were nuts if going out and finding a new job would be appealing. Too bad you can't get into teaching people how to garden at a community garden plot! Ha! I noticed there was somebody at the plot down the road...probably a volunteer, right!
Only job I want comes with the title RETIRED!
Your garden is delicious and uplifting! Sorry about all your trials but I suppose it's the yin and yang of daily life, isn't it? Stand tall like your veggies and reach for the sun, Lou Anne. It's good to see you here again.
I think it will be better when the tomatoes are rady to eat Madame..lol
Your garden is looking great.
Your garden looks great.
Your garden is looking miles better than mine so you should be proud, Lou Anne. My tomato plants (potted) are just now starting to branch out and get beyond a foot tall, can you believe that? It's been so cold and rainy, there has not been enough sun/heat to make them grow so they are looking terribly shrivelled and stunted! If I get any tomatoes by September, I'd be lucky, I think. I just ate my first strawberries from my plants YESTERDAY! How slow is that?! I think even the bunnies gave up waiting for them to ripen and went down South for better pickings.
Yes the coolness and rain held thing back here too..even after I decided to plant...things just sorta sat there.....strawberries wern't so good in Missouri this year....nothing like last year..and I was already to can up jelly and all that...LOL...
now I realized that I need to buy my pressure canner for my green beans....I only took out two rows this year cause last year we had way to many to eat fresh...and I sold a few and gave some away....
I have only a few small tomatoes starting..but lots of flowers now everyday.... and a few volunteer tomato plants that ae showing some size...it is always fun finding those...not that many, but enough to make it interesting....
I do think I will be quarreling with a few young squirrels this year though...they ahve been fairly nosey up near the tomatoes....NOT GOOD....I might be wearing their tails on my belt if they don't take a hint with a BB gun...LOL
Amazing, just amazing! But then, I'm not surprised.
How do I know when the Sorrento broccoli can be harvested?
Shannon my broccoli this year is quick to bolt...so as a head forms and gets any size at all, cut it and use it or store it(youknow flash freeze or anything like that) till youhave more. the plant will put on more heads throughout the season till it expires) One small head here made a great addition to some garlic scapes I cut and added to a creamy chicken pasta dish.
Got it! Thanks Lou!
A side note on gardening in missouri thisyear...it has been way to wet for the onions. I think they will be a bust this year...note to self....plant later or with musch more drainage....garlic also...the best garlic I have this year is the ones I planted high in raised areas of the garden...NOT in raised beds...
thinkIwill also build a strawberry tiered garden for next year also..at least three assending rings
Your gardens look wonderful Lou Ann! I've never seen the Royal Burgandy bush beans before. I'll have to look around for some for next years garden. I love the color of them. I'm off here soon to go weed in the garden. If I don't keep up on them they'll go wild. ;)
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I also have not heard of them, they are so pretty. Do you call beans pretty?:)
I have grown the purple podded for three years now...they turn green when cooked...I like them because they are really easy to find when picking....taste good and ar very hardy and give a good yield in my opinion for heirlooms/organic