First significant harvest from the garden and it looks like I am going to have to pickle tomorrow. From the looks of it, I should get a few quarts of dill pickle spears. It has been a while since I pickled....the last time I helped my sister and took some spoils. This time I will do it solo and see what I get. I am rather excited. I am a little disappointed though because my squash and zucchini are not doing well. Most of them have died on the vine. I think the heat has been too much for them. However, we are looking at some cool weather and maybe the ones that are on the vine and doing well will grow enough. I love to have some fried zucchini and use squash in a saute.
My herbs are also doing extremely well. The mint (julep and chocolate) is thriving and I am having ice tea with it daily (seriously--who needs soda?!?). My basils (thai, boxwood, spicy, and regular) are doing better than I have ever seeen basil do. Finally, my oregano (spicy and greek) and rosemary are thriving in their container. I need to figure out more recipes to use with herbs because at the rate they are growing I am going to have a lot to go to waste. Normally, in my old yard, my herbs barely grew and I used them sparingly. Now they are multiplying by leaps and bounds.
Finally, my flower gardens are coming along. They have a long ways to come, but I am slowly but surely getting them under control. The thistles in the front yard are almost defeated and I am moving to back to fight the good fight. I have some beautiful flowers and I have been enjoying seeing what pops out. After I learn what I have I will begin to add my own favorites...luckily I don't dislike any plants but the yucca (can you say yuck?). I just need to do some thinning and repositioning. I am most in love with a hydrangea called Glowing Embers. It is a gorgeous pink and I think it fits in great in the bare back garden patch. There is still a lot of work to do, but I think it will be easier next year after I get all the gardens edged, weeded, and mulched. I will post more after my pickling exploits! Wish me luck.
