produce stand

The garden continues to grow splendidly. Tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, onions, beans and lettuce are all thriving. These days I've added greens, more radish, peas, raspberries, spring onions and even zucchini to the harvest list. Now amongst the continuation of planting and weeding I must work at preparing my harvest goods for sale at Tawse. In addition to the raw goods I also produce a variety of preserves, including pickled treats, jams/jellies and herbal teas. As well I'll occasionally delve into the wonderful world of baked goods. This weeks specialty was lavender loaf. It was a new recipe and one I'll definitely be repeating. At least while the Tawse lavender is in season. 

 New packaging for my line of teas.

 I simmer my lavender with milk before adding to the mix. 

 The outcome.

 The packaging.

 Raspberry thyme jelly, raspberry mint jelly and pickled garlic scapes. 

 The set-up.

 Fresh organic raspberries. Yum!

 A nice asparagus/garlic scape sandwich with a side of asparagus and, you guessed it, garlic scapes!

 A hot cup of fresh mint tea.

Good morning,  morning dove. 

sunshine and rain, a perfect combination

Well the warm weather is now in full swing and we've had just the right amount of rain over the last week or so to make everything just want to grow, grow, grow. Unfortunately,  because of this nice warm spring my spinach has suffered in return, as well my beets have been poor to germinate. This is the perk of growing such a variety of produce though. A couple crops may suffer here and there but there are always others that are thriving to take their place. (Knock on wood). However as I write this I think back to earlier this morning when I encountered a good number of cucumber beetles on my zucchini and cucumber plants. I had hoped that by planting them in a new location, at the very least, the bugs would be stalled in their arrival. Wishful thinking I'm afraid. At least I have these crops right out my front door and I can keep a much closer eye on the problem, and hopefully lick it before she gets too out of control. Fingers crossed.

 beets

the tomato plants are thriving nicely under the conditions. 

 onions have really taken off

 row covers protect my radishes from the flea beetle who likes to eat away at the leafy ends

 my zucchini has taken off over the weekend. many have begun fruiting

the first batch of peas just about ready for harvest

                                       

I've been harvesting the garlic scapes over this past week, some sold as fresh and others have been packed up and pickled for later enjoyment. 

 the view out of my living room window

 pickled garlic scapes

 chopping asparagus for pickling

 the final product

rain, rain, glorious rain!

Finally, some rain has blessed our fertile soil. Things were getting pretty dry around these parts. Although on a down side, this means weeds galore will be poking their nasty little heads out of the ground next week. Sigh.

 Beautiful scenery on the way home from the garden.

 With an almost 40 degree day in May (!?!), a haircut was in order. Not bad for DIY. 

 Miss Penny Lane, otherwise know as... Peanut. 

New stamps, a little difficult to see so I'll be sure to take a close-up. 

great things are growing

 

 Atomic red and cosmic purple carrots!

      Early radishes, easter egg mix. I'm not really a great fan of the radish, but these just look so darn                             beautiful

 Tomato stakes used from someone's unwanted tiki torches. A perfect use!

 Green and purple basil coming along nicely.

A work in progress.

dog days of...may?

There's lots happening in the garden these days. All is in full swing. I picked up my tomato plants last week and now have over 250 (mostly) heirloom plants nicely planted in their new homes. I've also planted some beans, pole and bush including yellow, green and purple varieties. Zucchini, melon, squash and cucumbers have been planted at my house (to avoid a cucumber beetle infestation like last years). Lastly, I've started putting in my peppers (capsicum) broccoli (calabrese) and cabbage. 

This spring so far seems to be the exact opposite of last seasons incessant rain. Hot and dry (and I fear this is just the beginning). Many crops are already wilting under the unseasonable heat so I've already had to start watering. I remain optomistic though, I have a nice natural pond situated directly beside the garden with a pump for watering and I reuse all my gray (shower and dish) water down at the house. 

Unfortunately my asparagus has been attacked by the unwanted asparagus beetle. The very mild winter we experienced worries me that there are many more over-wintered insects just waiting to pop out of the ground and wreak havok on my beloved plants. This is where organic gardening starts to get a little tricky. 

 Freshly harvested camomile. My plants look fantastic this year. I plan on harvesting and drying as much as possible to sell at the stand this season.

 A nice picturesque view of Tawse.

A closer up view of my new gate.

 I've decided to label all my crops this year with handmade burlap flags.

 Old barrel staves painted in chalkboard paint will make nice reusable signs.

Peas trellised with grapevines.

Seedlings

Spent most of the past few days working in and around the greenhouse. I start everything I grow from seed (aside from a couple hundred tomato plants which I purchase from a local heirloom tomato grower).

 Made a trip into William Dam  a few days back and finally picked up my new strawberry plants. I've decided to plant them all into pots for movability and ease. I can't wait for the fresh handpicked berries right at my doorstep. Yum!

                                                             View from my property.
                                        
                                                       Out in the bush just behind the house