Mid-season Garden Observations

As we roll right into the heart of the growing season in S.E. Michigan, I'm already making lots of mental notes about the garden- what early season crops I loved, which ones didn't do that well, what I didn't plant enough of, what I ended up with an over-abundance with. I think its a good time to make notes about Spring and early Summer plantings so when I start seeds in the winter, it will be easier to recall these insights!

In no particular order, here are some garden observations:

Sugar Snap peas-

They are amazing!

Mike said they were his favorite new garden addition this year

Need to start outdoors earlier, under half-pint mason jars.

Expand a section for them

Kale-

Way too much, although I love it! Could scale back a bit next year.

Herbs-

Started some indoors too soon: cilantro and basil

German Chamomile has been great

Adding other herbs for tea

Carrots-

Loved them, cannot plant too many: ran out already!

Little Finger carrots and Imperator carrots- I think the Little Fingers grew better.
Planted 8 rows of 10 for each type, next year need to plant more like 15 rows of 10.
Stagger planting dates better

Onions-

Need to plant more

Find a good source for onion sets- onions from seed did all right, but were reaaaally slow.

Bunching onions did nicely- could start those from seed for early Spring.

Beans-

Kidney beans dried really well

Saved them all for a large dried bean crop next year

Provider beans did not dry well- eat more of those fresh next year!

Possible potted additions for next year:

Dwarf Fig: Petite Negra
Dwarf Mulberry
Hardy Kiwi: Anna
Paw Paw Tree
Meyer Lemon Tree

What's going well in your garden? Any decisisons about what to keep or do away with for next year?

Friday Favorites

Good morning! Here are some of my favorite things this morning- things I'm loving, and things I'm thankful for!

Tomatoes!

Tomato basil & mozzarella salad- lunch or dinner every day this week!

Canning- it is pretty awesome.

The garden is still looking green, despite the heat. 

I think the straw mulch is helping!

Happy Friday! What are your Friday Favorites?

Canning: Apricots in Light Syrup

Have you ever walked past some perfectly ripe fruit and been seized by the urge to can it up? I was seized by that very feeling today, and I went on a canning binge! I was passing by some ripe, juicy-looking apricots and the urge to preserve just hit me, haha :)

I ended up buying about 3 lbs of apricots and canning Apricots in light syrup- a first for me. I usually can peaches this way, which are amazing and probably my favorite home-canned product.

I also realized tonight that I still had some blueberries left over from my canning class this past weekend, and I decided to make Blueberry Jam! It turned into more of a Blueberry Juice for some reason- I think I might need to invest in some fresh pectin. At any rate, I canned Apricots and some type of Blueberry product.

The apricots were easy, by the way. If you're looking for a quick canning project, this is another one to try!
I did a raw pack (rather than a hot pack), which made the process especially quick. If a canning frenzy claims you, here's the recipe (from the Ball Blue Book of Canning):

Apricots in Light Syrup

Supplies needed:

a water bather canner (or a really large pot)

a rack to go inside the canning pot

canning jars- Ball and Kerr are two frequently-used brands

a set of 6 Pint-sized jar lids & bands

canning tongs to grab the hot jars                                                                                  

Between 2 and 2 1/2 lbs apricots

2 1/4 cups sugar

5 1/4 cups water

Directions:

(Raw Pack) Wash apricots. Cut in half and pit; do not peel. Treat to prevent darkening. Pack apricots, cavity side down, into hot jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Make a light syrup by combining the water and the sugar together in a saucepan- heat the mixture to a boil, and stir. Once the mixture is boiling, its ready to pour over the apricots in their jars- ladle the syrup into the jars (a funnel is helpful here) and again, leave 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles (I like to use a chopstick for this purpose) and place the lids and the bands on the top of the jars, and screw on. Process 25 minutes in a boiling water canner (for pints).

What's Up Wednesday

My first Cherokee Purple tomatoes are ripe!

 Cucumbers! Now I have two plants producing- twice the harvests :)

 

First batch of coriander seed is dried and ready 

to be harvested and put on the spice rack

New fall seedlings are germinating nicely- 

swiss chard, onions, broccoli, pak choi, and more

 Yum :)

What's Up in your Garden this Week?