So...the garden has grown a wee bit. The last few weeks have had interesting weather here in the islands. We had torrential rain for a week that culminated in a hail storm with tornadoes. The Canuck and I were trying to figure out the best watering schedule for the different plants. I think he was watering too much, and he thought I didn't water enough. Anyway, nature taught us that different plants like different amount of water (go figure...). So, to remind you, this was the front of the garden before:
Nice little lettuces, kale, etc. We had the week of flooding rain, and then were away from the garden for a week...we came back to this:
The lettuces had bolted like it was nobody's business... Bolting is basically when a plant goes to flower and seed. Those tall stalks on the lettuces are the bases of their flowers. Unfortunately, when many plants bolt, it causes the leafy bits to become bitter. The plant focuses all of its energy towards flower production, and sugars are channeled away from the leaves. The result is inedible lettuce (well, you can still technically eat it, but it doesn't taste so great). I think this happened because after the week of rain the plants got no water and began to stress out. So, there goes the lettuce.
Next, the Thai basil did the same:
It had the biggest flowers I'd yet seen. I'm not sure if I've saved it yet...might be too late. I'll try some leaves this weekend, but I took off all the flowers.
And the back? Well...as a reminder, in the beginning it looked like this:
Now after:
Here, the snow peas on the end are going crazy. No pods have really developed, except for skinny ones, but there are lots of flowers so the crop may be around the corner. The zucchini were huge as you can see, but I think they got too much water. You can see the leaves beginning to turn white and wilt. I think it's a mildew problem. I need to fix that this weekend.
Before:
After:
It's like a jungle out there... Granted, the weeds aren't helping, but
the plants have gone crazy. The bok choy, basil, tomatoes and string
beans obviously didn't mind the rain so much. Even the bell pepper
plants are finally producing healthy fruit. Good to know...some plants
will just receive more water now than others. The pumpkins did not fare
so well. They were all shriveled and not happy looking. The cucumbers
were done for...but that had been happening for a while. This weekend
the garden needs a good weeding, sluggo treatment, and pruning like
whoa. Last night I made a delicious soup from the garden though. I
harvested the kale, a couple hot peppers, a zucchini and some carrots and beets!
Aren't they so cute? Tiny little things, but soooo tender and delicious. I do believe those were the most delicious beets I've ever had. So, using the carrots, beets, beet greens, 2 types of kale, zucchini, hot peppers, and some spices, this is what I got:
Yum. Oh so yum. It was a ton of food (I felt like I put so many veggies in), but I think it will only last me another serving and a half...I'm glad the Canuck likes the garden meals I prepare, but I forget how much boys eat... I'll put a simple recipe for the soup up, but you'll soon learn my recipes can be frustrating. I'm a cook through and through, not a baker. I throw stuff together until it looks and tastes good...there is no regard for "proper" amounts or times. It's all estimation and nothing is quite the same way twice. But, they will be good guidelines for basic meals.
Clocks always seem to move slower on Fridays...is it pau hana yet?
