Tricky, tricky garden
Posted on October 6, 2007 - Filed Under broccoli, cucumbers, green market, herbs, pecans, pickles, planting, tomatoes, vegetables, worms
So far we seem to be getting a pretty good crop of pecans. Last year we had lots of duds mixed in. I may be speaking too soon, but I haven’t come across many duds yet. I’ve already collected two large onion sacks-full and the season’s just begun. I’m going to bring some to sell at the Green Market next weekend. We’re also going to try planting some nuts in pots to see if we can get some new trees going to plant and maybe sell. I’ve been toying with that same idea for the herbs after I watched a lady sell out of basil plants at one of the Green Markets.
We have a second round of tomatoes coming in from the spring planting. Our tomatoes really didn’t do so great this year. Most were not any worse tasting (read: little to no flavor) than what you get in the store, and some were much better tasting. But I had big expectations for our home-grown tomatoes.
We had a bunch of the little roma tomatoes, but most of the beefsteak gave in to blossom rot and nasty green tomato worms. I have to say there are very few things as disgusting as a tomato worm: giant, green, squishy and horned. Every time I see a tomato worm, I think of my mom finding one in a vegetable omelette. A whole one. That’s just disgusting. After that, I’m surprised she can even say the word omelette, let alone eat one. Note to self and anyone interested: I just realized the worms were only on the beefsteak plants. Hmmm.
I saw some tiny cucumbers today. The only problem is I don’t know if they’re supposed to remain tiny or if they’re supposed to grow bigger. I planted two types: tiny french pickling cukes and market size cukes. And I planted them together so I don’t know yet which is which. I don’t want to be waiting around for the little ones to grow only to find out they’re over-ripe. I have visions of making my own pickles. Sweet. Dill. Maybe some garlicky and hot. My mouth is watering. Oh, I love pickles.
Here’s a surprise. I planted broccoli. Little plants popped up in the exact center of the holes I dug in the garden. Only they’re not broccoli. I think they’re some kind of squash because they’re very flowery and crawly. Now a broccoli seed and a squash seed look nothing alike. And I’m pretty sure I planted broccoli seed so I’m really confused. And disappointed ‘cuz I really wanted broccoli. We eat a lot of broccoli. It’s basically the only vegetable Jett will consistently eat. He’s, of course, tried them all (and will continue to while I cook the food). Carrots, cabbage, lettuce, avocado, celery and corn are acceptable (although to me corn doesn’t count as a vegetable), but broccoli rules. Just not in our garden.
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I just bought a cookbook called Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld (yup, Jerry’s wife). It has all kinds of recipes using pureed vegetables in food and desserts so they are virtually undetectable. The recipes are also high in fiber and low fat. I thought of you right away because they call for a lot of root vegetables. I’ll keep you posted.