Monday, June 21, 2010

What's growing outside the Hoop House?

Our first head of broccoli

Lots of lettuce

Mint, can't kill that stuff! Curious as to how others use mint. We use ours in lemonade and that is about it. This is my 3rd year growing herbs. I think they are much easier to grow then veggies, thank god for Maine Man cause we'd be starving ;) but in good flavor.

MM put in an asparagus bed last year. He added to it this year. I cannot wait to harvest that goodness in the next a year or two.


This picture was taken over a week ago. It is amazing how much the garden has grown since. I will post an updated aerial photo (from the barn loft) picture in a couple weeks to compare.
We have herbs, corn, and potatoes in that garden.
This is the pumpkin/gourd garden.
Just behind that is a strawberry patch.
I neglected to take a picture of MM's other garden but here are a few pictures of the goods grown there.

Turnip
Lots of garlic, we've already harvested a few bulbs.




Kale grows faster then I can it cook up. Honestly I think I still have some in the freezer from last year.


...and more lettuce. We eat from the gardens daily and fortunately have enough to share with our friends & family. I have froze a couple bags of peas and canned some rhubarb. My plan is to can salsa, spaghetti sauce, pickles, zucchini relish, and green beans. I'd like to put up more but I also want to enjoy the summer with the kids. Just need to keep that balance.

15 comments:

small farm girl said...

Very nice garden! I use my mint in iced tea. Just a little don't want to make it too minty. lol. I've never tried it in lemonade, but I will now. Thanks!

icebear said...

it makes a nice tea, just dry it, crumble it and use a tea bell. :o)

Heritage Hill said...

Hey Kim- Try this rhubarb salsa recipe. I made it for my CSA folks last week - it was easy and a huge hit! So yummy.

Rhubarb Salsa recipe

1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon finely shredded orange peel
6 cups rhubarb, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup sweet onions, finely chopped
1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 jalape o pepper, seeded and minced
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

In a medium, nonstick saucepan, combine the sugar, water and orange peel. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the sliced rhubarb and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer gently until the rhubarb is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. When cool, transfer mixture to a food processor fitted with a steel blade, or to a blender and process until smooth. Scrape the pur e into a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Wanting What I Have said...

You're so neat!!!

I can't seem to get my mint to thrive. Not sure why. Maybe I cut on it too often? I use mine in iced tea and also in a cold edamame, lima pean, and pea salad - add in a little lemon, white wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, green onions, and garlic - makes a fantastic quick lunch!

Anonymous said...

Uses for mint:

1. For steaming your face. Put a handful of dried leaves into a bowl of steaming water. Put a towel over your head and put your head over the steam. It opens pores. After about 5 minutes rinse your face with warm water, then rinse with cold water.

2. Plain yogurt, garlic (fresh or powdered), a little salt and mint leaves. Use on chicken or lamb (my favorite)

3. In marinades.

4. Mint jelly. Use on meat.

5. In plain water for drinking.

Just to name a few uses for mint.

Enjoy.

Kimberly

Judy T said...

Oo, I envy your lack of weeds! We have had so much rain that it's been difficult to get in to work. sigh...
But your garden does look great. As for mint- I put it in several mid-eastern inspired salads in addition to the other suggestions- but a little goes a long way.
Judy

Laurel said...

Mint! We mostly use ours in drinks: mojitos and mint juleps for cocktails, and a few teaspoons of mint simple syrup in sparkling water or iced tea.

(Basil simple syrup is also really good in sparkling water, believe it or not. And basil juleps. Mmm.)

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Funny you should say about mint, that's what I thought of them "can't kill mint", well, mine didn't not grow back this year. I don't know what happened.
Anyway, I saw a recipe for Mint Apple Jelly in a magazine. If you would like it, please email me ysdavis @ hot mail dot com
I don't have that with me as I type this comment.

SWiggins said...

Oh how I wish that I enjoyed gardening! Or at least that I were your neighbor!

Country Girl said...

Yeah, thanks for all the great ideas for mint uses!

HH that recipe sounds good, can't wait to try. Thanks for sharing it with me. That is a cool thing to make for your CSA folks.

Kimberly you have lost of good ideas. I especially like the steam on for your face.

FF lack of weeds is thanks to MM. I have weeded the cukes once.

Laurel mint simple syrup is a good idea, beats soda.

Thanks YD, I have yet to make many jellies.

Little Messy Missy said...

Looking good. Try mint jelly.

Anonymous said...

Hi...I enjoy your writing abou you farm.....Isthat a Mahindra tractor? How does MM like it? we're looking at getting the 3535 model....George

Mandie said...

Looks fantastic! I am going to try some mint, yours looks great.

Country Girl said...

K, I will try mint jelly! Thanks for the nudge. The tractor is a Nortrac. Thanks for the sweet comment. Makes it all worth while. Just wish I had more time to post more often. Have tons of pics & stories but time is always lacking this time of year.

Laura Neal said...

Mint makes a wonderful chicken. Stuff it in the cavity with some rosemary and rub the bird down with olive oil. Roast it in the oven or in your rotisserie...absolutely fabulous. Season the outside of the bird as well with whatever spices you like. Yummy!