Tag Archives: Herbs

Running out of Space

I’m typically much better in the planning department garden wise. I have a map and a schedule and while I don’t always follow it 100% I am pretty good about getting just about everything in and out if not on schedule pretty close to the plan. This year is totally different. No plan, barely a map and the garden is full well before I am ready to quit planting. Part of the problem was the many rows of garlic I planted last fall. Nobody needs that much garlic but like an addict needing a fix I just kept planting. Fortunately the kale isn’t long for being pulled. I picked one plant clean this weekend and will get to the other three as soon as we can eat what we have.

The leeks are about 5″ tall and went into the ground today. I planted about 30 for us and had barely made a dent in what had come up. I gave the extras to Anita, the owner of Rock Farm.

I accidentally demolished one of the rows of beets I planted last month. Large feet and not paying attention. Today I planted a 2 more rows of the cylindrical beets where the Roquette was. I noticed a few beets survived the winter as tiny seedlings and are sending up some seed pots. They are next to the ow kale and will come out as soon as I can get the kale picked and pulled.

I also scattered some dill in an 18″ circle. Last year I planted the dill with the nigella. Not a great idea as they look too much alike.

It looks like the birds have made off with the bulk of my peas. 3 seedlings have emerged and there are holes where the others should be. I replanted into some 4″ pots that I’ll keep on the deck till they get big enough to be able to fend for themselves.

The kale, chard and zinnias I started under lights were large enough to go into 4″ pots. The basil is suffering. Not sure what the problem is but it isn’t happy. The green onions were a bust too. I picked up some variegated nasturtiums and started 6 pods of them under lights.

Thyme/Time Enough

Thyme enough for food…My Nesco oven is on the back porch cooking a thyme roast. Mmmmm. I love thyme and it is so easy to grow. If you have never had thyme chicken you must try it. Just mix up some fresh or dried thyme leaves, salt and pepper. Loosen the skin of a chicken and stick the mixture under the skin. Broil or place on a rotisserie. One of our faves.

Time enough for work… The tomato fence has been repaired. The rogue maples and redbud saplings have been cut down. The containers are fertilized. The horseradish from Donna is in the ground. The yellow raspberry from Rita is in the ground. The spirea from Carol is in the ground. The volunteer grape toms have been moved to a new home. The rest of the garden has been mowed and the soaker hoses have been placed. The only thing left to do this weekend is bathe the dog.

Time enough for wine… The gooseberry wine I started a week ago went into the secondary and I started a batch of rice wine last night. Not saki, just rice wine. I’ve never tried this recipe before so we’ll see if it is any good. The recipe is basically brown rice and raisins. I added a banana peel from this mornings breakfast and replaced the juice of a lemon for the acid blend. Time will tell.

Time enough for rest… well, not quite yet.