We don't have a huge area for gardening where we live.
The yard around our duplex is covered in gravel and rocks.
And weeds with which we do battle.
But we have a nice covered patio which is home to our minimal gardening, most of it in pots.
As always, a mint plant is the star of the show and the leaves make our evening cocktails smell so nice.
Next to it is a basil plant that seems to be frowning a bit by comparison to its neighbor.
Hot tip: a few years ago we had a basil plant that we harvested, used to make pesto and froze in an ice cube tray.
Then we forgot it until recently when I uncovered it and it made a nice sauce for some pasta.
Our chives seem to be suffering from not enough watering, too much watering, the incessant heat or maybe just neglect.
But the green tops still make a nice topping for dishes from the Master Chef (not me) when snipped.
Now our tomato barrel has a couple of plants that Judy describes as "leggy".
Still we have harvested two beauties.
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The first one was green when I accidentally dislodged it from its vine and Judy said she didn't think it would ripen.
But it did and was delicious.
We've only managed one of the small plum or cherry tomatoes but we shared it and it too was just like in that old John Denver song: "only two things money can't buy, that's true love and home grown tomatoes."
I'm not sure if the birds get to them or they just shrivel and die but if luck and your gardeners pay attention we might get a few more.
Meantime, the sun faces watch on with apparent bemusement.
That song is by Guy Clark - released in 1983...
ReplyDeleteYou can go out to eat & that's for sure
But it's nothin' a homegrown tomato won't cure
Put 'em in a salad, put 'em in a stew
You can make your very own tomato juice
Eat 'em with egss, eat 'em with gravy
Eat 'em with beans, pinto or navy
Put 'em on the side put 'em in the middle
Put a homegrown tomato on a hotcake griddle
Yes, that's true. John Denver covered it.
DeleteThe tomato looks good.
ReplyDeleteGardening is a game of gambles. At least it is for me.
ReplyDeleteWe had two cherry tomato plants that were so good I made myself sick eating them. Um, moderation? What's that?
ReplyDeleteLinda Sand
My dad had cherry tomatoes on a trellis in a pot on wheels. He turned it 1/4 turn every day. He had to start giving them away they had so many.
ReplyDeleteGood to get your garden update. Lana was interested as well. tc
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of Lana. Now I'm embarrassed.
DeleteI've heard that mint is invasive so having it in a pot is a good idea. I too LOVE home grown tomatoes and that song was one of my late husband's favorites. I think of him every time I hear it!
ReplyDeleteWe even cut back on pots this year when it became apparent that i would be even less help than usual.
ReplyDeleteI love the sun faces. I've tried to grow basil but it never does well and I don't use enough to keep trying, so I'll just buy it when I need a few leaves for pizza.
ReplyDeleteSomething I learned to my sorrow a few years ago: tomatoes don't like excessive heat. If the weather's too hot, many of the flowers will whither and die before they set fruit. Carol, a reader in Philadelphia, PA.
ReplyDeleteSeeing those robust herb plants made me think of a great recipe I have for Risotto with Seven Wild Herbs. I've made it several times. I usually use mint, basil, sage, thyme, chives, oregano and parsley. Obviously it doesn't take much. I believe the recipe says "a handful" of minced herbs. It's delicious and now I'm craving it.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...yeah, I wonder if something's eating your plum tomatoes. We have multiple mint plants and I always love the smell!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like heat stress: The ideal growing temperature for most tomato varieties is between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit."
ReplyDeletehttps://gardeningwithallie.com/tomato-temperature-tolerance/
I sympathize. We love tomatoes.
Looks like you had a nice Harvest. We did good with Cherry Tomatoes this Season and not much else. Usually the Basil and Mint thrive, but, I had something eating them... and then, there was the Heat.
ReplyDelete