From the Vegetable Garden

The heat and lack of rain are taking their toll on the vegetable garden here in late August but there is always something to talk about!  The tomatoes are still producing but really could use some good irrigation from the sky.  The garden is ready for some cleaning up and soon I will need to start the fall garden. I'll talk more in depth on the fall garden soon but this year I'll be starting my seeds indoors then transplant them into the garden.  That should help be get around any heat germination issues.


The basil is ready for cutting back to trigger some new growth. I took the trimmings/cuttings and dropped them in a jar of water to root them. This way I can have some potted plants growing with my Italian basil for winter use.  Basil roots easy and fast!


The 'Tigger' Melons are covered now in powdery mildew.  They lasted quite a while before getting any type of ailment. I could control this with a baking soda solution but at this point in the season I'm also weighing the time and effort to yield factor - I think I'll just take a cue from Paul McCartney and "Let It Be".  For those who are getting 'Tigger Melon' seeds from me they should be sent out this week, sorry for the delay!

My tomatillos are starting to produce! Now I have to figure out what to do with them.  Salsa verde anyone? They were included in the seed pack from the Greenland gardener product I reviewed earlier in the year.  The Greenland gardener raised beds are a neat idea for a beginning gardener or someone who doesn't have much time to construct a raised bed. The seeds all germinated but I never managed to get my irrigation setup in this bed and they were forced to rely solely on Mother Nature for moisture.  The tomatillos have done great without any supplemental watering and the cucumbers produced quite a few cucumbers before succumbing to wilt.

Here are some of our pole beans just hanging out. I need to get out there soon a do some picking!  Today we have other plans - it's one special little girl's 6 year old birthday.  I think the garden can wait a day or two!

Have a great weekend!

A Few Facts and Tips about Growing Basil

Corsican Basil

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is one of the easiest herbs to grow. Here are a few growing facts about basil in the garden!

Dark Opal Purple Basil

• Basil grows well from seed.  You can sow it in the garden or start the seeds in pots.  It transplants well.  Keep basil seeds moist until germinated and established.
• Basil is a great companion plant to just about everything.  My favorite companion planting combination with basil is to pair it with tomatoes or peppers.
• There are lots of different kinds of basil.  The flavors can range from lemon to cinnamon to the traditional Italian basils. Different flavors allow you to pair your basil with different types of foods making it an extremely versatile herb.
• When growing basil pinch the stem tips to encourage a bushy plant.  It also delays the flowering.
• The flowered are edible and make an interesting addition to salads!
• Basil can be highly ornamental.  Dark purple colors, speckled colors, ruffled leaves, and large crinkly leaves are traits demonstrated by various basils that can give your garden a unique look that is also edible!
• Basil propagates easily from cuttings.  Just put a basil cutting in a glass of water and watch the roots form in a few days.  Propagating basil is a great technique when you want more basil for your garden or want to bring some indoors for winter use.
• At the end of the season allow it to flower and go to seed.  You can collect the seed or allow it to self sow in your garden.
• Basil can be used to make pesto, sauces, put on pizza, tomato sandwiches, paired with tomato and cheese with Balsamic vinegar, put in salads, used in marinades, and many other kitchen uses!

Cinnamon Basil

Lettuce Leaf Basil - large crinkly leaves

What is your favorite use for basil?