Coming Out of Hibernation

You have to excuse my absence I have had the flu twice (currently working on a cold) and have been working hard to finish book keeping for Culinary Teas so I can file taxes. I am finally getting to the end of the book keeping and the all to soon coming of spring is motivating me to get back in here and get blogging. I have pages and pages of recipes that I readied but never put up and I have been planning and ordering for my gardens.

I agonize over what to grow each year. There are some must haves like my Honey Select Corn and my favorite hot pepper the Bulgarian Carrot. Then there are bigger decisions like which winter squash and how many to plant. Last year I discovered another keeper a incredibly good keeping winter squash that was also one of the most delicious. The Japanese squash Tetsukabuto (translates to iron helmet) has dark green bumpy skin with a dry, sweet and nutty orange inside that can replace any sweet potato or pumpkin with ease. The only thing about this squash that you must know is that it needs a pollinator so you must plant another winter squash with it but since I usually plant at least 3 different winter squash this is not a problem for me.

Another plant that will be returning to my garden this year is Rose Heart Radishes. I have never been a big fan of radishes but the flavor and the beauty of this radish makes joy to grow. Family and friends I served these to were also impressed.

A plant that I tried desperately to grow last year was Red Burgundy Okra. I had grown them two years ago and they were not only a beautiful addition to the garden they inspired all kinds of new dishes that my children loved. I know, I know.. Children eating Okra? Well my kinds are kind of unique. They eat all kinds of things that would make other kids run screaming from the room like raw oysters and sushi. Our temperatures were to cool last year to get these plants to grow properly and even though I attempted to start them 3 times it was not until very late in the summer did one of them finally get to knee high. Of course it immediately cooled off and the plant did not even get to blossom. I can only hope the weather will cooperate a bit more this year.

My absolute favorite find from last year was Mexican Sour Gherkin. These tiny cucumbers are maybe 1 1/2 to 2 inches long and look like the worlds smallest watermelons. They have tiny little vines that look almost like sweet potato leaves. The biggest surprise with these little guys is the wonderful crunch and pop they make in your mouth when you eat them. They make incredible refrigerator pickles and became an any time snack for me last summer. They are also very prolific which is great because of there tiny size. I am going to plant these all along the back fence of my garden this year.

Here is an entire list of my garden selections for this year.

Asian Greens - Brisk Green Pak Choi, Red Giant India Mustard
Cabbage - Soloist
Cauliflower - Green Harmony
Carrots - Tender Sweet
Corn - Honey Select
Cucumbers - Mexican Sour Gherkin
Egg Plant- Lavender Touch
Fennel - Zefa Fino
Green Beans - Royal Burgundy
Kale - Dinosaur Kale
Lettuce - Pinetree lettuce mix
Okra - Red Burgundy
Peas - Cascadia Snap
Peppers - Chicken Heart, Golden Nuggest, Bulgarian Carrot, NorthStar
Pumpkin - Dills Atlantic
Radish - Rose Heart
Shallots
Soy Beans - Beer Friend
Spinach - Scarlet Spinach, Space
Squash - Tetsukabuto, Spaghetti, Early Butternut
Summer Squash - Summer Squash Mix
Sweet Potato - Georgia Jet
Tomatoes - Yellow Pear Cherry / Cherokee Purple x2 / San Marzano x9

Herbs
Arugula - Rucola Selvatica
Basil - Italian Large Leaf
Cilantro - Large Leaf
Dill - Dukat
Parsley - Flat Leave

Orchard
Blueberries - Collection Choice
Grapes - Concord
Chestnut - Chinese

As you look over this list you will see I have a penchant for anything purple. It maybe just be me but I thing they always taste better. I already have purple asparagus bordering the front of my garden!

Enjoy!
Candie