Wednesday, June 23, 2010

It's HOT!

98 degrees to be exact. I'm thankful for air conditioning this week for sure. Despite the heat, the garden is growing.

We have 3 of these right now and they keep on growing. We are a real life advertisement for Miracle Gro!


My herbs on the other hand...not doing so well. They look absolutely pitiful. I'm not sure if the heat is getting to them, or I'm overly cautious and watering them too much. I won't even show you a picture of the cilantro. It's just sad. Does anyone have any suggestions on growing herbs?


Anybody have any good tomato based recipes? Thank goodness we love salsa! We're gonna have a ton!


I can't wait for this watermelon, this and the other dozen that are growing. It's been so fun to watch the process of all of these plants take root, flower and then produce fruit. We are already planning for next year on what we want to plant.


And finally...this! Corn! A tribute to my grandfather who would plant enough corn to get the entire family through the winter! I can still remember opening the freezer in the garage and seeing stacks of frozen cut corn in Ziploc bags. I'm hoping we get a few ears before the 4th of July; because what is a 4th of July BBQ without corn on the cob?

6 comments:

Donna said...

I love your photos! Hope you continue to enjoy your garden...I'm sure it's a blessing to get some fresh veggies and fruit from your own land. :)

I am attempting to grow some herbs on our deck, but I am also having trouble...I started with seeds, but maybe next year I'll have to just buy the plants already started. Hope you have a great day!

Anna said...

I wish I had a green thumb! It looks like fun. :) Came here from Amy's blog at Lavender Sparkles.

Amy said...

oh, I'm so jealous of your lovely garden!

tomato recipes...ahh. my favorite new finds last summer were tomato pie (YUM) and bruschetta pizza. the tomato pie is on my blog...let me know if you want the pizza recipe. we also love bruschetta chicken (which is also on my blog, I think, though it's just a link to a Kraft foods recipe and I think Steve does it a little differently).

as far as salsa, I love to do what Jamie Downing taught me: mix tomatoes, corn, black beans, onion, cilantro, lime juice and salt to taste. just a yummy, fresh dip/tortilla filling!

Kristen said...

Lovely, lovely garden! We have one too and I have posted pics over on my blog. Herbs can be tough... especially cilantro. Cilantro does better in the cooler temps rather the extreme heat we have been having. Parsley can suffer too. I have a lot of herbs around my back patio - they get some shade there at different times during the day. The cilantro out in the garden is a little weak. Don't over water either. Leaves will turn yellow if over watered (and you might think they are thirsty).
I make garden salsa all summer long. It's fresh and yummy! Tomatoes, cilantro, red onion, chopped green chili's and garlic salt. Everyone loves it! I also can tomatoes to use in the winter months in soups and chili! Canning isn't too hard. I usually only put up 6-8 jars at a time so I am not overwhelmed! I don't can my salsa. To me it's best eaten fresh. I have canned it before and it tastes like store bought jarred salsa.
I can't wait to see how your watermelon comes along! We grow beans, tomatoes, many types of peppers, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, eggplant, zuchinni, cucumbers (I will make pickles) onions, garlic and potatoes! We have been gardening for years! It's so much fun and each year we add more! OK, enough rambling! Love your pics!

Megan said...

How fun! We have a tiny little garden and my herbs aren't doing great either. If it makes you feel any better I've heard cilantro is really difficult to grow - not sure if it has something to do with the climate i the southeast or just in general.

Anonymous said...

I have an awesome Basil Pasta recipe which has a sauce made up mostly of tomatoes - let me know if you want the recipe.

It just has tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste, cream, salt & pepper, basil and pasta. Very easy.

Liesl