???

Same Weed

Are these blackberries?  These look like edible fruit...but I want confirmation :)

This thing grows green berries that turn deep purple. Any Ideas?

What in all heck is this spikey weed?  This thing pops up all over our yard.

Growth

Cherry tomatoes after the rain showers them, 

Zucchini fruit growing from its blossom,                                                                

Eggplant swelling on the vine,                   

Pumpkins creeping and crawling to reach their fall destination,                                                       

Garden moments of mediation.

 

More cosmos...I think

Hey, I can't believe that my strategy worked! I pushed seeds in the middle to create height in my barrel bucket.  I am still amazed when plants actually grow from the seeds that I sowed.

Garden Whimsy

Statues gained from Nana.  They add a nice touch.  My girlfriend Upstate Kriss inspired me on this one. Her garden has these secret surprises that create comfort and a sense of a secret hiding place.  It is so darn cool! I am trying to create my own little magical feeling!

Yes, even a ladder can help.  I got the idea from my garden book once again (You Grow Girl) and used it to try and keep my spaghetti squash form running away.

Mama's Stuffed Zucchini

What do you do with baseball-bat sized zucchini? Why stuff it of course!

First, cut off the ends and discard them. I like to keep a plastic grocery bag handy.  I hang it from a drawer handle and throw my scraps in there.  It's not a Rachel Ray bowl but it is recycling and saving time!

Next, you cut it in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.

Scoop out enough to put the filling in.  I did not cut the bottom to make it flat this time but I think that I will do so next time for ease of cooking.

Now take some tomato sauce and lightly cover the bottom of each zucchini.

Now, onto the filling! In a mixing bowl, put 1 lb. of ricotta cheese, fresh basil from you garden (more garden goodness!), garlic powder, and an egg and mix it together. Once that is mushed together....

Add 1/2 lb. of mozzarella cheese (shredded), and a 1/4 lb. of parmesan  cheese.  Mix together.

Now fill those caverns with your cheesy goodness! I went a little overboard and some of the cheese melted into my pan.  It worked out though, I simple scooped it up and placed it on top of the zucchini.  I don't think I put the full amount of mozzarella in (it really keeps it together) and I think that will help.  Or perhaps a second egg....experimentation is in order :)

I had enough filling for two zucchinis.  I think perhaps even a third, smaller one if I spaced it out correctly. To top these babies off I put a little more sauce and some seasoned crushed Rice Krispies as bread crumbs.  The crushed cereal is a great source of b vitamins and it is gluten free. Yay me!

Cook for about 35-40 minutes at 350.






Smacznego!

corn

 

Why the hell not? It is interesting to watch :)

Spaghetti squash takes off!

I am so excited about my spaghetti squash.  This stuff grows like a weed! I love it! I think next year I am going to build some kind of contraption that is just for this plant because it keeps trying to run into the neighbor's yard.  I don't mind sharing but the plant is not allowed to make a run for it!  It is in the rule book somewhere.... :)  I am amazed at how the vines support the squash but then again, that is what they are made for.                                                                   

Pumpkin

I decided to grow pumpkins for their beauty and for amusement's sake.  I am glad that I put it in a pot (so it would stand out) and I figured that it would help to fill in the area with beautiful green leaves and that it is doing! :)

Progression

I have been trying to take pictures periodically of the entire garden so that I can see the progression of the plants.  These picture range from May until now, July.

I decided to plant corn.  I figured, why the heck not?  I want to see how it grows. I think it is pretty cool.

Here is my attempt at keeping down weeds.  A friend suggested using newspaper and covering it with something else organic to keep it down.  Great idea and it works...just have to get the rest of the garden into the same shape :).

I am sure that there is a better way to do this as I am trying to put the like pictures next to one another.  I want to connect some at a future date. I will search for a new application to help me in this... Enjoy!

So put it easily together....

May









July