Well, here we are at the end of a long holiday weekend. I hope everyone got a chance to play in their garden - I know we did!
Look at the purple of Sicily cauliflower we planted in early spring. Isn't she lovely? We will be harvesting the remaining cauliflower plants this week as most have already flowered. I am sad to see her go but with the heat, it is time. In its place, we will be adding our heirloom purple bell peppers.
And with the heat, yep, it's tomato time! The heirloom cour di bue, black krim and cherokee
purple tomato plants are putting on lots of flowers and fruits. We added some more composed chicken manure to our garden. Be sure to feed your garden every six weeks throughout the summer as they need lots of food to keep them
growing healthy, strong and yields high. [Cherry Valley has great bagged compost, organic veggie food, organic potting soil just for veggies and flowers - thanks you guys for helping the valley grow for over 26 years!]
In place of broccoli and cauliflower, we put in lots of heirloom lettuce - rouge d'hiver, green and red salad bowl, may queen, freckles [yes, you can grow lettuce in summer - although shade cloth, an umbrella or even a linen sheet will be needed as the temperatures climb].
And what is this? For those of you who visited us early in the season, you may recognize this gem of a find - the heirloom cape gooseberry. Also referred to as a ground cherry, this amazing plant grows like a tomato or tomatillo plant. Each round, sour fruit is wrapped in a paper husk. We are looking forward to the pies and jams that our customers are planning on making with their gooseberries! We are sold out for the season [Thank you!] and will add a lot more to next springs plant list.
It's not too late for the amazing African blue basil! In fact, our mother plant is just now putting on some major growth [that means we are starting as many new plants as we possibly can!] Can you see all of the lavender /pink tips? With this perennial basil, it is a very good thing. The bees are so happy and oh, the plant smells and tastes so yummy. Look for it at market very soon [and in good quantity].
So, as the weekend comes to an end [and our spring gardens, for the most part], I stop to take in the beauty and look to the summer season with the great anticipation!
Enjoy the day!
Carrie-Anne
Rolling Hills Herbs & Annuals
