Our growing season has already started here in zone 8. My boys planted the onions over the weekend and I am trying to puzzle out how to fit in everything I want to grow this year. It's still too early to put much out, but I am hoping to start seeds for tomatoes, broccoli, and a few herbs today and get the potatoes set to go as well.
Last year our "harvest" was rather pitiful. The hot and dry weather set in early (in addition to strict water restrictions) and the tomatoes were particularly stunted. I'm hoping to grow enough tomatoes this year to can a good bit. I cannot even tell you how irritated I am about the whole canned tomato thing (no link, but Google BPA and tomatoes). Canned tomatoes are a staple of our kitchen and until very, very recently none were BPA free. Winter soups are tricky without canned tomatoes!
Well, it's a cold and very rainy day here and we're postponing lessons until after lunch. I'm going to go cuddle and read to my babies. Happy Wednesday friends!
P.S. I would welcome any broccoli growing tips (varieties) from my southern friends - Cheryl? Your broccoli is always gorgeous. Oooh, and favorite leafy greens? I've had success with everything but spinach but I have yet to find one that tastes super yummy.
Hey Jenn :)
First, I have to tell you thanks for making me read Dracula...your review several days ago made me run to the library and read something I probably would never have read. It was so good! I stayed up well past my bedtime last night to make sure The Count was destroyed! :)
Now to broccoli...sadly, mine didn't do very well this winter. I planted 20 Packman plants - the foliage was beautiful, but the heads were small and didn't grow as large as previous years. My dad and brothers did very well with their Packman plants. I always plant purchased broccoli seedlings in late Sept. and harvest between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I had a problem with small green worms early on, but a good spraying of insecticidal soap solution ended that. Our fall/winter weather has been very warm and dry thus far. As for greens, I planted dwarf kale, Swiss chard, and two types of spinach for green smoothies/salad. They did okay, with the kale really taking off now. The spinach is done and the chard is doing fairly. I also planted romaine and buttercrunch lettuce and we are eating it almost everyday in salads. I am harvesting beautiful heads of cauliflower and green cabbage.
Last Friday I planted approx. 75-80 red potato pieces (20 potatoes cut up) and yesterday planted 110 leek seedlings ( I call them leeklings. ;) I won't plant anything else until late March/early April. I have big thoughts and plans for the summer garden! :)
Posted by: Cheryl M | January 25, 2012 at 04:35 PM
Thanks so much, Cheryl! Im going to try the buttercrunch lettuce for sure (it just sounds good!) Were going with red potatoes too this year. I cant remember if weve done red or white in the past, but Im excited either way.
Im so so glad you enjoyed Dracula. Im like you - it wasnt anything I would see myself enjoying but I loved it.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 25, 2012 at 04:53 PM
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/fried-smashed-potatoes-with-lemons-recipe/index.html
I saw Giada prepare the above red potato recipe and cannot wait for my potato harvest...which won't be until early June.
Posted by: Cheryl M | January 25, 2012 at 05:25 PM
Bok Choy is our favorite green!!
Posted by: Chrissie | January 26, 2012 at 06:35 AM
Thanks Chris. I will look into it!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 27, 2012 at 05:12 PM