lakegran walks the beach again

[Chris55]

I planted my tomatoes in two square tubs today, probably too many plants, but I'm counting on a couple not making it! I planted grape tomatoes and one regular one that I got free at the farmer's market. I love swiss chard, too, but kale will actually grow here through the snow sometimes, so I'd like some of that going, plus everyone in the family likes it - a rare thing in our house. Saturday I'm going to try going to a garden club plant sale to pick up a few more things to decorate the yard. I missed most of the sales last weekend - was too tired from driving to and from NY and just wanted to drink coffee in my jammies on Saturday.

[lakegran2]

Chris. the best part of busy ,busy, busy is appreciating the jammies and coffee moments....when there IS a lull
I think you will be happy with your tomatoes in a planter. I only plant 1 to a planter about the size of a 5 gallon plastic bucket and then keep them trimmed back to keep them manageable, I get decent yield, ( tons from the grape tomato)
I have been so stingy with my frozen garden tomatoes over the winter. that I have quite a few quarts left, I need recipes other than chili and sauce for pasta to get them used up by mid summer....any suggestions?
I wish we had a farmers market with a longer season here, by the time ours is going I have more than I can use here, with the exception of the best corn in the universe, which can be found 2 miles down the road....I personally have been buying my corn from them for over 50 years. Still the big favorite at any summer gathering in my family.. I don't like to wish my life away, but always wait eagerly for 'Ives' corn

[Chris55]

Corn is my second favorite veggie after red peppers. Our season for corn is late, though, makes me miss the days of getting NJ corn and tomatoes when I was living in NY. I currently have 3 tomatoes per tub, but the leaves are looking mottled - not sure what that's about. I figure if they all survive and get big, I can transplant a few, especially if DH finishing messing around on the side of the deck where I really would like to put them in the ground. Meanwhile, I stuck some snap pea seeds in with my black-eyed susans. I'm not sure if they'll get enough sun, but there's no place really good in my yard any longer. Went to the farmer's market and go a huge bag of greens, and a swiss chard and 4 kale seedlings - tucked those next to my hostas in the border. I saw this gorgeous kitchen garden last year that mixed flowers and veggies, so I thought I'd give it a try.

All those chopped tomatoes - you can use them to poach some cod or other thick fish, making a quick marinara. That's how the fishermen's wives in Cape Cod used to reportedly cook their sauce - they'd just get it simmering when the boats were coming in and then toss in the catch of the day. They didn't cook their sauce for hours like I do.

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

[lakegran2]

I love the look of greens in the flower borders, and you will have the kale until the snow flies as you said. The rainbow chard is colorful and adds a lot of interest in the garden too.
I am all all excited, about a method of growing potatoes in a barrel.... I had heard about it last year from a young girl who's grandfather has been growing potatoes in old tires stacking them up and adding soil as the plants grew. I rejected the Idea thinking the tires might not be a good choice for 'organic' growing. but this morning's LOE (NPR) featured an urban gardener who does the same thing in a barrel. I am thinking this would be a great addition to my deck, since p3 does include an occasional 'new' potato serving.
My biggest problem may be fining seed potatoes this late in the season.
I am holding the line with my modified SB and weight is staying steady......I am having a p3 day today...
My son dropped off about a 1/2 bushel of parsnips from his garden that they never got around to processing..Hmmmmmm
I guess I will google freezing parsnips, since I do not have room to refrigerate that many.
Rambling this a.m.

[Chris55]

Parsnips are not a favorite of mine. In fact, I just dumped some frozen mashed ones that I had from last year. We were getting so many in our farm share last year, that I finally just asked if I could have more carrot instead. I was the only one in the family eating them, and I didn't want all of them!

A barrel of potatoes sounds like fun, and a little more attractive than tires! Our CSA had some info about using a wooded pallet vertically to grow tomatoes and other climbing veggies. I think I'll have to get some tomato cages when I finally figure out where they're going. DH got the rest of the wood for our deck so I'm hoping if he finishes it soon, I can put my tomatoes in the ground where they'll be happier.

[lakegran2]

tomato cages......If you have someone who is handy .......The best tomato cages are simply lengths of wire fence cut down to a reasonable height (2 1/2 ft. maybe?) fastened into a circle ....the commercial cages that taper are much less stable and tend to get top heavy ( blow over in wind)

[grace2]

yay for gardens and fresh veggies, Lakegran! I will have to check out your gardening thread...

[lakegran2]

Thanks for stopping by!!!!!!!

[lakegran2]

Maintaining.................4 days p2.... 2days p3 ..... 1 day all over the place..........
1 day a week cooking and freezing for hot weather meals
Heat index to reach 96 today first time for air conditioner I really hate shutting the house up may just do great room for the afternoon.

[Chris55]

Wow, it's hot there! We're still sitting in the 70's, maybe will hit 80 this week, fingers crossed. The lake water needs to warm up more before I jump in, though! I finally took the flannel sheets off the bed and the down comforter away - windows actually open the last few nights. It had been dipping into the 40's most nights, but it's slowly getting better. I've been enjoying sitting outside, puttering in the garden, then sitting some more. Too much at once and my body rebels!!

[lakegran2]

I agree Chris from down comforter last week to yesterdays LOW in 70s......Set my air at 77 and the house still felt very cool after coming from outside......
80 inside at 6 am this morning same for tomorrow, this is very unusual for us, most summers I use my air 4 or 5 days for the whole summer......
I am not really complaining, but staying busy with watering.
Hot weather food good for SB. lots of Salad, watermelon ( exceptional this year) and berries.
Shake up at my little job ..... still working too many days . I hope I am not forced to quit, but, I don't have so many summers left that I am willing to spend another one away from my happy place.

[Chris55]

Don't blame you about not wanting to work so much in the summer, but having a job is a good thing . That's the problem with where I live, most jobs are seasonal and at the time of year that I'd prefer not to work - should live in a mountain/ski area so I can work winters and play summers....

Trying to find room for all the down/bedding/fluff that we have - kids moving home with theirs, my bed stripped to basics for summer, etc. I need a whole closet dedicated to linens - then there's the stuff for the sofa bed when we have visitors.

We may be putting the little A/C units in this weekend, too. Only two of them - just to take the edge off and filter out the pollen.

[lakegran2]

Well. what the HECK! I set up my summer kitchen in a little corner on my deck ( crock pot and steamer) and every day since it has been downright cold most of the day..Roasting stuff inside just to take the chill off Today is beautiful though.

Chris I bet you will come to love your room size AC units... My little nest is small, 1100 square feet including the "guest" end, which I keep closed off when not being used. I have an AC wall unit that does an adequate job on the main room, not real pleasing esthetically, but.... I didn't want AC at all when DS built this place, he added it and I am grateful. During the cold months I keep it covered with a great ( inherited) painting
SB good...... fridge stuffed with fauxtato salad, home made sauce ( tomatoes and the last of the basil from last years garden) lots of beans , berries and watermelon. Fruit smoothies almost every evening.

[lakegran2]

Finally getting to (spring?) cleaning.....what a joy getting everything shipshape again!!!!!!!!!
working 2 days per week .... a lot of that 'on call' and monitering from home on I phone and computer.
garden growing like a weed ( instead of full of weeds )
SB good.......cool mornings doing sb prep and freezing.......this week (sales) Spinach and eggplant..... also 1 serv bags of brown lemon rice......
I love the stuff but it takes sooo long to cook and I usually have to throw away part of it.....we will see how this works.

[Chris55]

I do my brown rice in my 4 quart pressure cooker. I cheat and use Uncle Ben's most of the time - it only takes about 16 min once it comes up to pressure. The regular kind takes about 25-30 min. I try and make extra so I can have it for another meal.