Happy 4th
When I was younger, I remember my mom always trying to have a ripe tomato by July 4th. She used wall of waters, started planted early, and did all sorts of things to have tomatoes extra early. This year, I started ‘Glacier’ and ‘Stupice’ in early April. I planted some in the garden and some in pots. The ones in pots produced lovely ripe tomatoes on the 4th of July.
This isn’t too bad for Maine with no greenhouse. Next year I may try growing some in a low tunnel to see if that hastens ripening.
If you live in a colder climate, consider starting a few cold tolerant varieties and grow them in pots in a sunny location. The warmth of the soil in a container will help them grow and fruit faster.
I also realized that I haven’t yet published my list of the tomato varieties I’m growing this year, it includes a few old favorites and some new and exciting ones as well. I think I might wait until I start getting a few ripe ones so I can show you what they look like.
What’s the earliest you have harvested a tomato in your garden?
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Bountiful Broccoli
I’ve been growing broccoli for many years, always growing different varieties and seeding them every couple weeks to extend the harvest. Yet I always seem to end up with all my broccoli coming on at the same time. This year, I was intrigued by the ‘All Season Blend’ broccoli from Renee’s Garden. There are three different varieties in one see packet, perfect for those of us who don’t want to buy three different packets and for those of us that don’t want to be seeding broccoli every three weeks for two months.
Here you can see the three varieties as they currently stand in my garden. I’m harvesting the first variety now, the second will be ready just as I’ve finished with the first, and there are a few of the late seasons that are just starting to show tiny heads.
Overall, I’m extremely satisfied with this seed. I’ll be adding it to my must buy list from Renee’s every year (along with ‘Catalina’ spinach). I just seeded more for a fall crop and I expect to have the same success with them as well.
Do you grow broccoli? Do you try to plant in succession or grow different varieties for a longer harvest?
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Cutting Garden
There is no proper cutting garden here at Chiot’s Run, in fact I rarely cut flowers to bring them inside. I spend enough time outside to enjoy the flowers in the garden. One of my friends LOVES flowers and wants to incorporate a cutting garden into her garden space. When I went to a dinner party at her place last weekend I took a few arrangements of various flowers I had in my garden. I’ll be giving her starts of many of them for her very own cutting garden.
We’ve been brainstorming various perennials that she can add to a space to have a long season of cut flowers. Of course a few annuals mixed in will make for a long season of beauty from the garden. Lady’s Mantle is one of my favorite cut flowers, I love how understated it is and how it fills in the space around more showy flowers.
Even though I don’t bring flowers in, I often cut arrangements to take when I’m invited somewhere. I find arrangements are most welcome. It’s also nice that it’s something the person can enjoy and then compost, there’s nothing they will end up feeling guilty about getting rid of someday.
Do you cut flowers from you garden often? What’s your favorite flower(s) for cutting?
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Friday Favorite: Watching Things Unfold
One of the great things about gardening is that it’s new every year. I know the peonies, hydrangeas, poppies, and other flowers will bloom, but I’m always surprised by their intricate beauty when they do. It’s like receiving a wonderful gift over and over again.
I’m reminded of this quote “Mostly what’s on my mind right now are the falls colors. I go around gaping, as if I have never seen anything like it before. Perhaps I haven’t, I’m never quite sure. I could see this display every year and not grow tired of it, like seeing the flight of geese, or hearing the bird songs in spring. I remember, and that might reduce the amazement. But I don’t remember the edge–the vividness of the spectacle.” -Bernd Heinrich (A Year In The Maine Woods)
Each year I’m amazed by the beauty of the garden, it’s like I can’t quite remember it in all it’s beauty. The truth is that a garden is always slightly different each year.
Do you feel like things are new every year in the garden?
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Lovely Alyssum
Ever since I was a wee little lass, I’ve loved alyssum. It’s always had a spot in my garden and it always will. There’s something about this little flower that I adore, it’s perfect in just about every way. Generally I buy my plants at a the local greenhouse since I’ve never had much luck starting it from seed. That never stops my from trying, each year I buy a pack of seed and give it another try.
This is ‘Gulf Winds’ alyssum from Renee’s Garden and I’m a huge fan of the color mix. Usually I buy plain white, but this mix is perfection. Last night I transplanted them around the garden, filling in holes where I harvested lettuce or where other plants died. I’ll definitely be trying this variety once again next year.
Have you had an annual that you’ve loved for your entire life? Do you still grow it in the garden?
