Friday, July 16, 2010

How does your garden grow?


Ours seems to be holding it's own despite the heat and dry weather. The broccoli has already formed heads, 
the figs are growing but still green. 
The herbs scent the air when the wind blows. The bugs have been at the basil. I can't really blame them it's so fragrant.
It is such a wonderful way to relax sitting in a lawn chair with the fragrance of fresh soil and herbs wafting past your nose.
For some reason our one lone zucchini is growing slowly, I keep hoping for squash siblings but no luck yet. The dry spell may have affected the plants.
The tomatoes are always my favorite garden veggie. I love them red, yellow, juicy and ready to slice. Just a sprinkling of salt and freshly ground pepper and they are perfect. Sometimes I toss them with red onion slices and extra virgin olive oil. Unfortunately tonight, when I  sliced the newly ripened pineapple tomatoes I forgot to snap a pic. Just hungry I guess. You will have to take my word that it was as beautiful as it was delicious. I added a few cherry tomatoes and a Roma also.
After I harvested the first bunch of broccoli I couldn't wait to make a dinner featuring the organic Broccoli.
I cooked whole grain pasta and topped it with garlic, roasted tomatoes and blanched broccoli. Sprinkled with freshly grated parmesan cheese it was delicious. Occasionally I've been known to add a few pepper flakes for pizzaz.
And of course dessert was ice cold cantaloup. Always refreshing in the heat. I think it makes the perfect breakfast with a scoop of French Vanilla Ice Cream in the center.
So how does your garden grow? I'd love to know.


All text and photos are property of The Gypsy Chef.

9 comments:

  1. Yum Gypsy! I planted an organic garden for my mother, so I consider my garden (and hers). I live in a carriage house that has no yard, so no garden here. We're moving soon though.
    Your pasta looks wonderful. I can only imagine how extra nice it was with homegrown, organic broccoli-nice!

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  2. Love to hear about gardens. My garden is...ok. I should have planted another crop of mesculun greens although they are still young enough to be delicious. My herbs - sage, cilantro and flat leaf parsley are humming along and so nice just to step outside and snip what I need. My borage is still small so I hope if flowers this year! After all, it is an annual! My lovage is not doing well at all. Not sure why. It is a perrenial and I started it from seed, so perhaps it just takes time. My French tarragon is in its first year so still taking root. Same with my rhubarb. My strawberries have babies. The tomatoes have blossoms. And the nasturtiums are going wild. It is my first year in this house so will be expanding and planning for next season.

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  3. Stella,
    What a sweetie you are to make a garden for your mother. So nice for sharing too! Your carriage house sounds divine. Your moving? I want the carriage house.

    Sarah,
    Your garden sounds wonderful. You have experience. My french tarragon is in it's first year also. The chocolate mint has come back again and it's really fragrant. You can actually taste the chocolate!

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  4. OK if you are asking i will let you know soon! the garden is doing really well, and I am in need of ideas to use all its bounty; here we love pasta and this one looks so perfect for our needs.

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  5. I miss gardening so much. Being able to walk outside and snatch dinner is very luxurious. Thanks for sharing the joy of doing it. I love my cold cantaloupe with port and ice cream.. so delicious. Can't wait to see your next specimens and recipes!

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  6. I wish I could tell you how my garden grew, except that the neighborhood deer enjoyed it even the habnero peppers.....It was a sad season for us.

    Your garden is doing beautifully. I can see you are starting to enjoy the bounty. Love it.

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  7. I really wish I had a garden. We do have a yard, but it's so windy and foggy here, I'm not sure what would grow. Too bad I don't have a neighbor like you with a garden like yours! :)

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  8. I haven't had a garden in years, Pam, but I enjoy reading about and seeing photos of yours! One thing I do remember though, is we had zucchini coming out our ears! Wonder what's up with yours?

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  9. Hey Gypsy Pam, I was just re-looking at this post. That cake sounds so good. I'm bookmarking it, since we're about to have citrus in Florida (yeah!).
    p.s. I'm placing you in the side bar of my blog. Hope that's okay!?

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