Four Months
Posted: 6/15/2009 2:58 AM
Since starting our Oasis Garden four months ago, we've harvested 20 varieties of vegetables, herbs and fruit weighing a total of 38 pounds! Here are a couple of pictures of our very full garden.
We've harvested at least a little, and in some cases all, of each thing we planted back in February-except the tomatoes. They are taking forever! They love the heat and we have not had hot weather yet. I'm sure it's coming and our tomatoes will soon turn from green to red.
Yesterday, I harvested the first zucchini of the season and the first garlic head. It was on the small side, so I'll wait before pulling the others.
Then, I pulled the rest of the green beans at the rear of the garden. They were producing small and odd shaped beans. That's how you know a green bean plant is getting old. Plus, there were no new flower buds, which means no new beans would be coming. I planted some lettuce and cilantro where the beans had been. I had started both plants from seed a few weeks ago. I also placed one lettuce plant by the corn, where it will be partially shaded. I'm experimenting to see which lettuce plant will grow the best during the summer months-the one in partial shade or the one in full sun.
I'm sorry to report we had our first casualty in the garden this week. Something ate all the beet seedlings that I had planted near the corn. I've seen lizards in the garden. They eat mostly insects, but they'll also eat seedlings. So, I'm guessing they're the culprits. In the meantime, we still have beets left from the seeds I planted in February. After pulling the last few, I cooked them and froze them. I read online that you can do that, so I'm giving it a try for the first time.
Our parsley plant is ginormous--as my kids would say. For the past week, I've been looking for ways to use up parsley. Here are a couple of good recipes I found on www.allrecipes.com : Amazing Spicy Grilled Shrimp; and Chicken with Garlic, Basil and Parsley (of course, I used fresh herbs instead of dried). We also enjoyed zucchini sautéed with olive oil and butter and topped with parmesan cheese. Yum! We have lots of peppers coming-both bell peppers and Serrano chili peppers. When the tomatoes eventually ripen, I'll make some salsa. If you like your food hot and spicy, stand by for some killer recipes!