Before Ken pulled the summer squash and determinate tomato plants
Greetings from the Garden! This CSA box has tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, peppers, eggplant, onions, garlic, carrots or beets, greens, beans, and basil.
After the mulched walkways he added compost
Field Notes. Ken has been pulling crops as they become less productive so he can make room for later crops. He got beds ready for fall greens, and will transplant in the next few days. He likes to let the beds rest and then rake any weeds that are tiny – the cotton stage – before he plants. That gives the transplants a greater edge over the weeds.
Last week we had a wonderful visit from people from Madison. They were here for a meeting in Spooner for a couple of programs for vegetable trials. We have discovered some wonderful varieties!
Ken is also doing building projects. With his successes this season with getting broody hens to hatch and ideas for an improved smaller portable coop, he is converting a cart into a smaller portable chicken coop. He finds he would like more and smaller structures similar to his “egg mobile.”
From the Kitchen. This week I made some ripe pepper jam from a couple good sounding recipes on the internet. Although Ken and I are not much for crackers, cream cheese, and pepper jam, this was great as a glaze on baked chicken – about ten minutes at the end of roasting. It reminds us of Japanese condiments with a bit sweet, salty and sour combined on grilled chicken or eel
Ken moved into the kitchen on Wednesday while I was rinsing and sorting vegetables and made a huge tomato, eggplant, onion, garlic casserole with cheese on top. He finds that eggplant will provide substance and soak up the tomato sauce for a rich, satisfying meal. He usually has a side of a salad like cucumbers with a creamy dressing – a nice pairing.
‘Til Next Week, Judith and the Gang
