Gardening Gardening

My dad used to make a killer rhubarb pie. Been years since he did tho.

 

Mrs MikeInMa will make strawberry rhubarb pies.

I'll also cook rhubarb down to a compote, of sorts, with some strawberries, using a sugar substitute Stevia. Not much as I prefer the tartness. It's good as a fruit/vegetable have a cup of it as is. Heated and scooped over vanilla ice cream ain't bad either.

 

Strawberry rhubarb pies...


I vaguely remember as a kid picking wild rhubarb and dipping the stalks in sugar for a treat.

 

Spend a few hour out weeding while the ground is soft and grafting on a few honey crisp apple scions.




Looks like 100% germination on the garlic.

Strawberries came through the winter in good shape.

 

The yellow crook-neck squash is producing nicely.

 

Second till is done. Headed to the local small business to buy some plants. Life got in the way of an early start but better late than not at all.


My soil seems very fertile.

 

White sweet potatoes again.


Right side is broccoli and cauliflower. Closest to cam is some tomatoes.


Added a small strawberry patch that will grow if the plants like it there.


Lettuce and onions.


On the end of the broc & cauliflower are some peppers. 2 sweet, one jalapeño.


Already started weed control/mulching with grass clippings.

 

I harvested some rhubarb yesterday. Sat in the fridge with a damp paper towel on top.



It'll get cut up and cooked with strawberries, sugar, and some tapioca to thicken it up.

It'll be an option for strawberry shortcake on Mother's day.

 

I pulled some more rhubarb.





I have 6 zip bags, quart size, in the freezer.

It'll get cooked in either strawberry rhubarb pies, or cooked with strawberries on the stovetop. A taste of spring in mid-January.

Looks like It'll be the biggest harvest in a few years. 2 years ago, all my plants were lifted, compost added to the hole and dropped back in. It was the beginning of vole-aggedon.

I've cut off 5 bolting flower stalks so far.

 

My garden is doing well. First time growing strawberries. I’m thinking I should net them?



Lettuce popped up. I got some grass down to stop the weeds.


Brussel sprouts.


Sweet potato plants are looking rough but this happened the first year I grew em. My neighbor told me it was from being a green house plant. The sun is “burning” them. Fingers crossed the come back, I believe they will.


Toms.


Broccoli plants are thriving.


As is the mint. So far I’m keeping it contained. Soon time for a fresh mojito!!

 

Finally got a garden started this year. Made some room over winter when we took down a big oak leaning on the house and some other smaller trees needed to drop that one. Had a spare fence pa el behind the house so made an arch for the tomatoes, then planted broccoli, lettuce, couple kinds of peppers, beans, squash and pumpkins. Used some of the oak limbs for a temporary border. Being on the edge of the woods we'll have to put a fence up before long but nice to finally get one planted.

 

A little salt, black pepper, butter and its mealtime.



Vine Borers have been terrible this season.

 

3 year old grape vine and black raspberries.


Mixed planting kales, asparagus, arugula, cilantro, lettuce, strawberries, garlic and flowers.

 

About time to start grazing. I picked a few while the bacon was on the grill late yesterday evening

 

Early raspberries are going crazy. I have gotten over a quart per day for 6 days in a row. More than double what I normally get this time of year. Normally don't have to freeze any to save for jam until the later varieties start to come in, but already have a gallon bag frozen.

 

My garden has been glorious so far this season. We’ve had lots of broccoli and some cauliflower. Lettuce out the wazzu. Tomatoes will be amazing in no time.




Seems like I have to crop out 75% or more of my pics to get it to show. Sorry.

 

The pics look just fine to me!

 

It's been a few mostly dry weeks since I last pulled an rhubarb. I was happily surprised when I pulled a rib and it was still solid. So, I pulled more


Currently "stewing" with 2/3 lb of store bought strawberries. The rest will be added at the end.


A little Splenda sweetener, a sprinkle of tapioca will make for a fine strawberry-rhubarb shortcake. Bisquick biscuits tomorrow.

 

Sounds awesome!!

 

We like to keep it tart. It can be sweetened when it's time to consume.

Nor much to look at, but tasty over vanilla ice cream.