April Planting

Planting began in April, although I missed the first work night, I made it out the next week to plant the lettuce plugs and, of course, take a few pictures...

Berries and Transplanted Garlic

Tried to take a picture of all the markers that were already out there.

No boxes this year, just rows.

Feels good to be gardening again, here's to a great season!

2010 Garden

Figured I should start gathering all of my pictures and start posting to the garden blog again. I hope to be caught up by the end of the weekend!

As you all know by now, the garden has been moved over next to the barn. This seems, so far, to be a better location for many reasons. I guess we'll see as the year progresses. We met Chris out at the garden back in February and I took a quick picture...

Harvest Party

I KNOW that there were a few more people out there taking pictures so I expect to see a few more pictures from our Harvest Party. Thanks to everyone for making it a great get together.

The few that braved the pool, the water, so they say, was warm but it was quite chilly that day.

Rich and Lois were kind enough to let us set up in the barn.

My favorite part of the night, all the kids in the pumpkin patch.

A family of mice were living under one of the pumpkins.

Fall Planting

New fall planting: carrots, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes and others that I can't remember. We met on 9/29 and when I went out on 10/7 the radishes had already sprouted!

Catching Up

Took some pictures a while ago and have failed to post them in a timely manner. These pictures are from mid-September. Things have changed a bit since then...

Technicolor Carrots

Corn getting close to being done.

New/fall carrot row.

These turnips are huge...I need more turnip ideas!

The pumpkins are looking great.

Tomatoes are just about done now but just a few weeks ago they were staring to come on strong.

Yummy squash.

Two Tomato Soup recipes

Roasted Tomato Soup

6C cherry tomatoes

3Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt (needs more than this)

1/2 tsp pepper

2 Tbsp butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

1C chopped onion

28oz diced tomatoes

4C chicken broth

1/2 tsp thyme

1C heavy cream

Heat oven to 400. On baking sheet combine cherry tomatoes, 2Tbsp olive oil and S/P. Toss to coat evenly, spread in single layer. Raost until shriveled with brown spots - about 35-40 minutes.

In large pot, heat butter and remaining oil. Add garlic and onion - saute until soft - about 6 minutes. Add canned tomatoes, broth, thyme and roasted tomatoes (including any liquid on baking sheet). Bring to boil and reduce heat and simmer 40 minutes.

Use food processor, puree soup until smooth. Return to pot and stir in cream. Without letting it boil, warm on medium, stirring often, until steaming. Add more salt and pepper.

Creamy Tomato Bisque

2C water

14oz whole, peeled tomatoes

1/2C chopped celery

2Tbsp chopped onion

5tsp chicken bouillon

2 medium fresh tomatoes - diced

1/4C butter

3Tbsp flour

2C half-half

1Tbsp sugar

In large pot, combine water, whole tomatoes, celery, onion and bouillon. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Puree mixture. Cook fresh tomatoes in butter for 5 minutes. Puree these or leave chunky. Melt remaining butter and stir in flour. Add cream, over low heat - cook and stir until thickened. Add all tomato mixtures and sugar. Heat through - DO NOT boil.

Friday August 21

Arriving late to the work night, I started to laugh when I saw the line up of cars AND the tractor.Cabbage almost ready to harvest.

Future sauce and salsa.

Many pumpkins!

Watermelon

Nice Melons
(sorry, couldn't resist)

Squash