Sunday, April 19, 2009

Spring Gardening

We took a day off the bikes to try to catch up on some yard work. Jeff did a great job tilling the entire garden!

I'll probably just do a little gardening this year, perhaps 7 rows running the length of the garden. I'm considering some rows of zinnias or other easy care flowers and for eatables focusing on the veggies we use the most for salsas, grilling and favorite Italian style dishes. I'll plant the rows wide apart so we can till between them and even mow between them if the weeds start to get way out of control on me!

8 comments:

amidnightrider said...

I didn't do Village yesterday. Spend the day around Fairhaven and Mattapoisett.

I'm getting two bikes ready for the summer riding. Lots of test rides around town. Ride...adjust. Ride....adjust.

knitseashore said...

So glad you are getting lots of good rides in, even if the weather doesn't always cooperate.

We need to get some yard work done soon; almost finished with the painting project!

2_wheels said...

Nice looking garden. Do you can the salsa or just have it fresh? We make one that we can - it is so much better than the grocery store stuff.

sarah said...

Michael,
I have skipped canning for a couple of summers now, but miss it! Hopefully I will do some this year. I love a tomatillo green salsa that's canned. Still trying out different red ones, looking for a good one. Would you share your recipe? I can some bread and butter pickles and relish as well. And sometimes cranberry/pepper jelly. I freeze tomato sauce for pasta/pizza and other veggies. Freezing is easier for me than canning, a little less boiling on hot summer days!
S

2_wheels said...

The salsa we can is from the Ball Canning book. I think it just has jalapenos, tomatoes, onions and some spices - but I'll have to look. I am growing some cilantro this year (I hope), too. That cranberry pepper jelly sounds interesting. Since we have to have central air conditioning here to survive the canning doesn't bother us on hot days. But we freeze the beans, squash, and beets.

Groover said...

That's a huge garden. I'm mildly embarrassed now to call our little patch 'garden'. Looks like a lot of work but I bet it's worth the effort. Can you post another photo in a few weeks time to compare?

sarah said...

Groover, I'll be sure to post update pics of the garden. I'm going to be doing warm weather stuff this year, so it will be the end of May before most of the plants/seeds go in. S

sarah said...

Michael, I have that book, so I'll try the salsa! The pepper jelly is from America's All-Time Favorites Canning & Preserving Recipes (Better Homes & Gardens) I like the ketchup recipe in that one too. S