Daily Dose Blogger Bios
Small but Mighty
Hel-lo!
The other day I was at the Minion's house, and I was completely enthralled by the tiny vegetable garden he has been cultivating. Since he rents, he didn't want to dig up the entire yard to facilitate his eating of fresh food - he made himself a modest plot where he grows:
(8) Champion tomatoes
(1) Cucumber
(2) Bunching onions
(5) Strawberries - there would have been 6, but one bit the dust...
And a plethora of lettuces:
(2) green leaf
(2) arugula
(2) mesclun
...all in a space that measures approximately 6' x 8'!
He started his vegetable growing project last year, before he became my Jack - Of - All - Trades, so it wasn't my influence - if anything, it's the other way around. My vegetable dreams have become bigger because of his encouragement and enthusiasm. Sometimes, a 23 year old can have alot to teach a ... a more than 23 year old.
What really knocked me out about MZ's tiny plot was the beauty of the lettuces, tightly packed together. I am seriously thinking of using them as a front of the border groundcover for an ornamental garden! Wouldn't that be so beautiful? And what a bonus - salad! MZ has been feasting on the thinnings and clippings from his lettuces for a couple of months now, and even in this heat, they are still looking great. I love it - the best way to keep your plants looking good is to eat them!
I've been integrating a few edibles into ornamental beds for quite a while - artichokes, red shiso, golden oregano ... but why stop there? Sure, most vegetables are annuals, and need more attention (read: fertilizer and water) than I like to give my "other" plants, but a lovely little strip of lettuces setting off a perennial planting - I can deal with that! Even if it means an extra sprinkle of water and a dose or two of Dr. Earth.
The dividends would be too delicious not do it!
Dear Germinatrix - I received a cutting of a vine and I have no idea what it is. I am hoping that you might have an idea. Is there an email address to where I could send some photos of this vine?
You can email me at emotionalmullet@gmail.com
Thank You.
Dearest Emotionalmullet,
On the strength of your online moniker alone, I am your humble servant forever. I will be contacting you toot sweet.
Thank you! I got your email and sent you the photos. Looking forward to find out what you know!
EM
Hello Germinatrix!
I am a first-time ever cucumber grower (and gardener) with a similar size vegetable as the first pix in this post. I was wondering if it ready to eat? Or does it need to get plumper first?
BKD
http://brooklyndahlia.blogspot.com/
Hi Brooklyn Dahlia! You know, I was almost named Dahlia, after my Aunt. pretty name! I'm not sure i could've carried it off, though... I'm a little rough around the edges!
MZ took this pic a couple of weeks ago, and he harvested the cuke a few days ago - it was HUGE and yummy. take your cue from the color of the cucumber - pick it when it gets an nice, uniform, deep green color. The 'thorns' will smooth down, but they'll still be there - they smooth down totally if you run your hands over the mighty cuke. If you leave it on too long, it'll get bitter and tough, so I find it better to harvest early. Whatever you do - don't let them get yellow! That is the sure sign of an old, bitter cucumber... and who wants that? Not me, not in my cucumbers, or in my men!
I think mine might be ready for the salad bowl today. Thanks so much for advice and your v. helpful blog. If you get a chance, please check out my (very amateur) toils in my Brooklyn garden on brooklyndahlia.blogspot.com.