WHAT'S UP IN THE GARDEN?

So here I sit trying to figure out what to do with my day.  My left leg is now doing what my right leg did....swelling, pain and difficulty walking.  On Friday, the physical therapist said to ice it and take NSAIDS to get the swelling down.  He said to work out as long as it is pain free.  It was better than Friday but no where near 100%.  I need to sit more than I would like.

Saturday and Monday a did a couple very modified work outs.  The lower body is getting limited work which makes me very sad. 

Because movement is limited, I bring you this blog posting.  Of course it is one that doesn't require much thought.  Yes, a synopsis of the certification weekend is long over due.  Hope to do one soon because there are many kudos to share.

Here is the status of my garden...

My grape vine is rocking!

Some of the tomatoes including some green tomatoes.  There are an amazing number of green tomatoes...I smile every time I look at them.

Some are in pots and some are in the ground.

Broccoli...

Broccoli Rabe...waiting for transfer

 Every year we grow corn.  Believe it or not it usually does well.  What's the problem?  The squirrels know exactly when the corn is ready.  Sometimes they end up with more delicious corn than we do.  Me?  I would prefer not to grow corn, but the boy insists on it.

Lettuce was bountiful...

I started my baby zucchini from seed in small pots.  They have since been transplanted.  They are doing well.  The small plants behind the squash are tomatoes grown from seeds from tomatoes from Maine.  The boy is always experimenting. 

I found this link on growing squash so they don't run wild which does become a problems.  

http://growagoodlife.com/growing-summer-squash-vertically/

Much more is going on but that is the only pictures I took.  The eggplant is flowering.  The herbs are flourishing (and frequently being used.).  The peppers other than the cubanelles don't look particularly happy out there.  Both butternut squash plants look good. 

And the fig tree...not looking so good.  Okay it is looking dead but I am not yet prepared to admit it. 

That is all I've got for now.

Pick a tomato from the garden...add a little bit of salt, some good quality extra virgin olive oil, garlic and let it all marinade for awhile.  Heaven on earth!

MY GARDENING 101

The boy and I started the garden a little too early but that is how we roll...he likes to start early and he likes to experiment.  I go along because our yield is usually pretty good.  I am the one who takes care of the fruit trees/bushes...strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and grapes.  The fig tree doesn't look like it survived the winter or I took the burlap off too early.  I am not quite ready to give up and I am not ready to show a picture.  I don't want anyone telling me, it didn't work out. 

Here are some pictures of our progress.  You may see a lot of bare spots and spotty grass...typically we don't grow much grass.  The point is to grow as much food as we can. 

Many of the plants are started from seed, some from the vegetable such as potatoes, and some are purchased.  Some experiments work.  Last year we tried artichokes...didn't work.  This year I've started seeds for small Italian zucchini.  They were found in markets in Rome.  They are small and sweet and many times stuffed.  They are beautiful.  Maybe it will work, maybe it won't.   

Gardening with the boy always makes me smile!  I am
thinking my new hat from Asbury Park is a little small.

First in the ground was the broccoli and then lettuce and spinach in the pot.

I think the sweet potatoes were planted a little too early but the same thing happened last year and it turned out well.  These were purchased.  I have 9 in all. 

The fruit...

Blueberries

Raspberries

 And my grapes which I love more than anything...

More pics of veggies...

Eggplant

Tomatoes

My lime bush...hey, if you are going to drink

Tequila on the rocks with a little lime why

not grow your own.

And then there is the experimental patch...seeds from fruits and veggies.  Who knows how this will turn out.

Every yard needs their lawn ornaments...

Girlie

Miz Lu...one roll in the dirt...

and then another.  Her official name

is Talulalulu. 

Last year this type and color plant attracted several hummingbirds.  It worked last year.  Let's try it again.

The boy and I started gardening together when he was very young...

DIDN'T MEAN TO KEEP YOU WAITING BUT

Yesterday's workout at Iron Body Studios was a scorcher.  Burned my ass but felt great.  I then when to Wilson's Farm in Lexington.  Later I did a little gardening.  Then I crashed.  The ultimate in tired.  Sleep is important for recovery so it was an early to bed Saturday night.

So back to this...

It is the first bud on one of my grape plants.  The other grape plant also has a bud but it is too small to photograph.  I have wanted to grow grapes forever and, last year when I saw my sister's grape vine with grapes, I knew this was the year. 

I am beyond excited.  I wasn't sure this dormant grape plant would come alive.  I ordered them online and when they arrived I didn't read all the instructions.  I stopped at keep in a cool, dry space.  Actually, the roots are suppose to be kept wet...hmmmm.  Fail or so I thought.

My sister had this big, beautiful grape vine.  Mine won't be as big.  I am attempting a smaller trellis.  We shall see. 

And did you know...you can use the young, tender grape leaves to make stuffed grapes leaves.  Nope, neither did I until my friend Kat told me that is what she did with hers.  My future may hold wine and stuffed grape leaves in a couple years.

More planting has been done and I love sharing photos...

Tomatoes (Right now we have 22 tomato plants in the ground.  There are many different varieties many which are Romas for sauce.)
 

in the raised bed.

in a pot

 

Broccoli

Spinach

Eggplant, a variety of peppers, spaghetti squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, potatoes, sweet potatoes and butternut squash has also been planted.  The asparagus from two years ago is flourishing. 

These guys are waiting to be planted...

Even with a small space you can grow a large variety of vegetables.  Its healthy and you know where your food is grown!

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMER TIME

Well not really.  The title is deceiving.  I much prefer this

to this

Tonight, as I was eating another dinner of tomatoes from the garden I realized how much I love picking my dinner from the garden.  Not only is it fresh and delicious but a garden makes healthy eating much easier when you can go outside and pick tomatoes

peppers

eggplant

and some beautiful broccoli shown with the pickings of the morning

So although I am looking forward to snow and winter and football, I will miss fresh produce. 

And not everyone has space or the desire to garden.  A great alternative is visiting a Farmer's Market or joining a CSA.  I want local farming to grow and thrive...local just tastes better and I know
 where my food originated.  Check out the link for a great article on Farmer's Markets and CSAs.

http://pendexter.blogspot.com/2014/08/hot-fun-in-smmer-time.html

Great article!