Eating a hummus and pickle sandwich today, the day after Christmas. I LOVE pickles! I LOVE growing cucumbers and pickling them. Thinking about seeds and what I'll be planting next year. I know I'll be growing cucumbers, can't wait!

May 27, 2015

Last week of May, a beautiful evening in Bernardsville after the thunderstorms have rolled through. Birds are chirping and the air is fresh and damp. Heading up to Midsummer Farm tomorrow in Warwick NY. Picking up raspberry plants and herbs. Looking forward to seeing Barbara and seeing what perennials she has left that are on sale. She grows the best herbs! Delicious!

Time to start your tomato plants indoors

Select your favorite heirloom tomato seeds and get them started this week!

Potatoes

Interesting facts about the potato:

Potatoes are labeled as one of the world’s most important crops. Others include wheat, rice, and corn. The world’s largest potato to date has been recorded at 18 pounds, four ounces. Not only are they labeled as the most versatile vegetable but they are also visually appealing! The flowering potato plant was used as a clothing decoration for Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. Thomas Jefferson was the first person to serve them in the form of a French fry. !

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/green-living/7-interesting-facts-about-the-potato/923

Organic Gardening Tips

Many people wonder how organic farmers and gardeners keep their crops fertilized and protect their livestock and plants from pests and diseases. Organic farmers spend their careers by building a type of extremely healthy soil that keeps air circulating and water processing through the dirt. This soil is mostly made out of compost, and use gardening techniques such as crop rotation to effectively rid their area of weeds. Most of their protection from pests comes from barriers and traps, left to confuse birds and prevent bugs from damaging the plant life. Not only are these techniques easy and safe to use, they yield a healthier outcome for you and your plant life.

Pest Problems

I spent the day today with one of my friends who has her own garden growing on her front porch. She was having problems with birds getting to her tomato plants and destroying her fruits and vegetables before she got to them; so we lined her mini garden with something terrifying to birds: aluminum foil. If you're on a low budget, this is perfect for keeping birds and other unwanted visitors to the garden. Simply fold squares of foil and tie them to string-most birds are afraid of reflective surfaces, and will not venture near your plants upon seeing the foil. Another thing that is great to use for protecting your garden against larger animals such as deer is fishing line-deer cannot see a fence of fishing line, and they get scared upon feeling something they cannot see. Happy gardening!

Sweet Potato Pie

One of my favorite recipes for any time during the year is sweet potato pie. This treat, served primarily during Thanksgiving, can be homemade from sweet potatoes (which are not to be confused with yams), by mashing into a pudding texture and baked with brown sugar. Potatoes should be germinated indoors for the best care, and then transplanted outside for later growth. They are full grown at around nine inches, and can be harvested for food any time after they reach this length. Simply mash, sprinkle with brown sugar and milk, and bake for one hour for a delicious dessert!