Well, I picked our first ripe Tomato today and this past Sunday I picked 6-8 Sweet Banana Peppers, Myrna splits the banana Peppers and fillis them with Pineapple Cream Cheese, what a tasty delight. We should have some big Green Peppers pretty Quick.
Frank
Yeh, you're just trying to make us jealous because our gardens are still so wet we can't do anything with them. My peas didn't survive. Between the aphids and the winds they died. I don't know which did the most damage.
Frank, when I read your post, I went out and checked on our tomatoes! They're still green, and I don't think we're going to be having a big tomato crop this year. It looks like the only safe tomatoes are the tomatoes we're going to be growing ourselves!
Jo, how are Fred's tomatoes coming along?
Wilma, we have had the same amount or more rain than you have, I raise my garden so it drains in rainy times.
Frank
My peaches will be ready to be picked this weekend. They have done remarkably well, considering how dry it has been here in Georgia.
Okay, between Dale and Frank, I am almost tasting the tomatoes and peaches. We always had fruit trees when I was growing up or my grandmother did. We had peach, pear and cherry trees. Grandma had everything including the apples. I have too much shade to grow tomatoes early. By July I may have a few. Peppers I can grow. I have quite a crop of Mint, Lemon Balm and Basil. I, also, have garlic and chives. What a meal. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
In general, my yard is way too shaded to grow much... and, I'm on a very steep hill. But, I do have peaches, apples, and I grow lots of herbs. :-)
I've got herbs too! It is something I have always wanted to do, so decided this year I would give it a try! I have basil, oregano, chives, mint, tarragon, parsley, lavender, sage and one or two others. They seem to be doing great! It is really fun to watch them. I hope that I can find out how to dry them and enjoy them this winter too! Alice/Dale, any help will be appreciated
mw
I'm envious of all of you with your fruits and vegetables!!!
All but one of my tomato plants died. We planted them in mineral tubs and SOMEBODY forgot to put holes for drainage. Needless to say, they drown.
We do have a healthy crop of onions and green beans though. They should be ready any day now.
I have already "cut" some thyme and oregano. They're hanging in the dining room drying!
I, too, planted herbs this year. Lavender (for luck), cilantro, parsely, thyme, and oregano.
I just studied about it on the internet, I can't remember the site I used, but it taught me when to pick and how to dry it. I've hung some of it, and dried some in the dehydrater.
I wondered abou using the dehydrator. I have two of them as I make a lot of jerky--that is I used to until I broke my wrist a year ago and can't slice it and trim it like I want it done. I could ask Frank, but he has plenty to do. He does help with slicing it sometimes. I make a lot of it at Christmas time for the kids and grandkids. It is always appreciated.
mw
Mint, parsley, chive, basil, tarragon, I winter some of it over in the house. Have to keep it cool and the basil is really sad by spring but can use it most of the winter fresh. Fresh is best, of course. Parsley I dry in the microwave on two paper plates and cover with one. Thirty seconds, then 15 seconds intervals until it is dry. Let cool. Store. I have always just hang the mint, basil, lemon balm and tarragon to dry.. The more you pick the basil and lemon balm the more it grows. Lemon balm is good in salad dressing. Actually, lemon balm is good almost everywhere. Chicken, fish, drinks, dried for tea, paste for insect bites. Lemon balm, mint and Basil in salads or spring rolls. The lemon balm and mint smell wonderful. Just a sniff of lemon balm will pick up your spirits. I do have some oregano and lavendar. Also, I winter a Cuban or Tropical Oregano which is good in salads, italian dishes and lovely to look at. Anything I can do to help-ask. Mint and Basil can be rooted in water before it gets too woody. I would think a dehydrator would work.
Thanks, I'll keep this in mind. ---and may need to ask some more questions.
mlw
Devyn; mine will still be a while, but I'm up to about 7-8 tomato plants so you can come help me eat them! You won't have to fight them away from Chuck; he won't touch the things. I can taste it now... sliced tomatoes from my garden, fresh green beans from yours, and fried eggplant from Joanna! We'll feast like kings!
Actually, Joanna, you're off the hook if you want to be... I did try my hand and planted 2 eggplant plants this year. So maybe I'll have my own crop!
I've got green beans in the freezer from last year!! The things come up like crazy!!
I got out my Crazy About Herbs book and am looking through it for info on drying, and preserving. I'll post it under a new topic!!