Saturday, August 21, 2010

Garden Update

DSC_2006_4955 Lavender is clipped on a regular basis then dried for use in potpourris.  I did notice that lavender buds are being used to toss at weddings in place of rice or birdseed.  I like that choice.

DSC_2003_4952Dove chickies have hatched up in the grape arbor.  Don’t they know that dove season starts on September 1?  Perhaps they’ll simply hang out in the garden for a while.

DSC_2015_4962The tomatoes just will not stop producing.  My freezers are stuffed and I have loads of salsa.  There are little yellow blossoms on most of the plants.  In the background, the apricot is screaming for an espalier pruning.  This will probably be the sixth trim this summer.

DSC_2022_4969 Summer sweetness plumps up the peaches as they continue to ripen.  I enjoyed a peach this morning and thought it was great.  Farmer MacGregor didn’t think it was sweet enough yet so I won’t harvest just yet.

DSC_2027_4974The chives are blooming and need to be snipped.  Most all the herbs in the garden are growing well – chives, parsley, basil, thyme,  and rosemary.  The summer savory I planted with the beans never germinated.  I planted twice.  It must have been a dud package of seeds.

DSC_2011_4958 I’m not sure how to best preserve the peppers since the favorite way to use them is in salsa or stuff them with cream cheese, wrap them in bacon and bake them.

DSC_2009_4976 Pumpkin looks forward with anticipation for the upcoming dove season.

DSC_2008_4975 Licorice continues to supervise all activity in the garden between naps.  Looks like she’s ready to take a dive.

9 comments:

And Sow My Garden Grows said...

Throw some tomatoes our way! :) Your garden looks amazing. I love your picture of the chives. Glad you are having a great summer in the garden.

Lo said...

Loved this visit to your garden and the chance to meet your babies....they are gorgeous.

Your veggies are amazing......I have one tomato plant......how I envy your produce.,..

Amy said...

You have a great garden with lots of tomatoes! The peppers with the cream cheese/bacon sounds really good.

MAYBELLINE said...

*And: I would love to throw some tomatoes your way.
*Lo: Hope your one tomato plant worked for you.
*Amy: The pepper poppers are a hit with most anyone. I mean, really, bacon? How can you go wrong?

Joyce said...

Everything looks awesome. And it is hard to believe it's almost the end of August. Your tomatoes look awesome and that peach is a beauty,yum. I never blame the seeds I'm always blaming my garden technique. I will have to remember that next time when seeds don't produce. Thanks for the post...

Bill Bird said...

How much room does lavender need? Does it need to be kept away from other herbs? Does it survive through the winter? Wifey has always wanted it. I know we have room for it. But, questions, questions, questions....

MAYBELLINE said...

*Bill:
I can keep my lavender trimmed to stay within the area I need it to grow. My father did have a lavender that was a monster (6' X 6'). My lavender grows next to my parsley, thyme, and kinda close to my basil. It survives winter here in Bakersfield. I have seeds that I want to try since I've always simply transplanted stock from a nursery.

Why not go to a nursery you trust and sample the laveder they offer by rubbing your hands over the vegetation and breathing deeply? Buy a small version and take it home for an experiment.
Here's a good reference:
http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/lavendercareandtips.htm

Anonymous said...

As always, your garden looks wonderful and is an inspiration. You probably know that garlic chive blossoms have a pleasant taste that goes well in a salad?

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