Monday, June 17, 2013

What's Happening In The Garden


How's the weather in your neck of the woods?
Summer has definitely arrived here in the South. 
Don't know about you, but the humidity makes me melt and really takes all of my energy away. 
I thank God for air conditioning.
I am not sure how women made it through all those hot and humid summers before ac. 
I've mentioned before that I never really sweat before moving to Charlotte. 
Seriously...even after exercising.
 Even in Palm Springs when it was 100 degrees. 
 (the desert, by the way, was one of my favorite places to go, but it had to be 90 degrees or it was too cold)

The first summer we were here in Charlotte was the first time I really sweat...
I felt something on the top of my head and
thought something was wrong with me.
Would love to know how all you Southern ladies stay cool when you have to go outside. Please tell me because I have to go out every couple of days to tend my garden.

Guess Summer would be a great time to catch up on indoor projects... redecorate a bedroom, paint our master bath, organize something...


Back to the garden: 
Went out just a few days ago and picked about 5 pounds of turnips. Look at these beauties! 
I haven't ever tasted a turnip before and have no idea what to do with them...I'm leaving that up to Mr. Fanatic. If you have a tasty recipe, please let me know.

I only planted one 5 foot row of turnips and they did well. Not sure about the beets next to them, we'll see when I pull them up next week.

I wasn't sure how the turnips were growing, until we came back from vacation and some were popping up out of the soil. Just like radishes, turnips pop up when they're ready to be picked.

To store turnips, cut most of the tops off and put in a plastic bag in a cool place. I put mine in a Ziplock type plastic bag and don't "zip" it all the way.

The main heads of the broccoli were cut of a few weeks ago, but now the side shoots are producing little crowns. It's difficult to go back to store bought broccoli once you've grown your own.

I saved one of the broccoli plants planted  last fall and let it go to seed. The plant stopped producing crowns last February or March and the seeds are finally ready to pick. Since the plants were from heirloom, open pollinated seeds and not hybrid, I can use the seeds and plant them next fall or Spring. One plant produces thousands of seeds.

You remember my planter box project don't you? The beans I planted in them are all the way past the top of the poles now. It's the first year growing beans for us. Can't wait to see how they produce.

The tomato plants are having a tough time. We've had soooooooooooo much rain the past several days, lots of humidity, which is bad for tomatoes. Just ordered some organic fungicide to help them out. Hope it works because Mr. Fanatic wants lots of tomatoes so he can make and can salsa.


The garlic plants are starting to fall over, which means they are almost ready. Still not sure what to do with all that kale. The small leaves aren't bad in salads.

The zucchini plants are getting big and the cucumbers on the trellis are beginning to flower....cucumbers not too far behind. 

A few flowers are blooming in the garden, as well. Big echinacea  pink double delight are popping up near the basement patio.


The gardenias are blooming too and their fragrance wafts throughout the backyard close to the house.



So excited that one a few of my hydrangea bushes are blooming and one plant has actually doubled in size. I even have several flowers on two of the four plants! (for those of you who missed it: I planted these hydrangeas several years ago and they just never grew any larger. This year I transplanted them and they are doing better. )


I love the flowers on these blue/green Hosta. 

The first flower just bloomed on the Lantana.

Coreopsis are bright and cheerful. 

Crimson Pirate Day Lily are blooming profusely. 
 Now you are up to date as to our garden in June. 

Would love to know how you keep cool during the summer and what's blooming in your garden. 

Pam 
joining 
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

14 comments:

  1. Wow your veggie garden is impressive!! Your flowers are looking good too!

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  2. Look at your beautiful garden!!! I can't grow hydrangeas to save my life. Or theirs, rather.

    I love to do mashed turnips, you can start 50/50 with potatoes, so good!!!

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  3. My mother cooked the turnip greens and added the chopped turnip to the greens. She seasoned them with ham. Your plants always look awesome. I have a stargazer lily that is fascinating. It was given to me and it really different. xo, olive

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  4. Can't imagine how much more gorgeous your yard is in person with those beautiful flowers and wonderful garden...We had some great pleasant days here these past several days...but hot again...then now the rain is coming...oh those days of summer!...enjoyed seeing your gardens!!

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  5. You garden is a stunner. All of that fresh produce must be great! The humid days drive me crazy too but I don't think it is as bad in NJ then by you. Who knows some days it may be it gets pretty bad here in the summer!

    Cynthia

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  6. Everything looks amazing! We moved into our current home a year ago. I'm just getting started on the gardens this summer. I'm pretty happy with how it's going though. :)

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  7. Wonderful garden walk! Your turnips are amazing!!!! And I would love to find some planters like the ones you made. What a lovely garden!

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  8. Wow, this garden is amazing; I can't even imagine all the work you've put in to it but it has def paid off! I would love to have a small garden once I get out of my tiny NYC apt!

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  9. What a wonderful garden! I look at yours and wonder what in the world am I doing wrong. Time and patience needed here.
    I wish I had a recipe for turnips. I think I have heard of people putting them in a veggie pie before but other than I will wait and see just what recipe your readers give you as I am curious.
    Until then.
    Stay cool in a pool!

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  10. You've become quite the urban farmer! Your vege's all look healthy! Your beans are really growing fast! I'm so happy your hydrangea's are coming along and growing so well! Look at that blue!! Awesome!

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  11. Wow! You have a gorgeous garden, girl! I get out very early, as in 5:30 or 6 a.m., but I still sweat because of the humidity. If I don't get it all done early, I spend a little time outside and run back in to cool off while I do a quick chore. Then, I run out again for a short while and run in for another chore. That's my pattern of activity during hot humid days. :-)
    His blessings to you,
    Kim @ Curtain Queen

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  12. Holy cow your garden is amazing! I am in awe of people like you who can do this. So incredibly awesome. And as always your photos are fantastic!

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  13. Your garden is so incredible Pam! You have the gift my friend! :-)
    Vanessa

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  14. YOur garden looks amazing. We have been harvesting like mad too. All of your veggies look like they are huge producers. Love that. Beautiful flowers too. Hugs, Marty

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