Fall 2013 Garden Update {November & December 2013}

I added a fig tree and lime tree to our garden!  They were only $20 each at home depot so I grabbed them.  I'm not sure how trees are, if they're organic or GMO but I know we treat the soil and plants in our garden with care so I have to believe they'll be organic enough by the time they start producing {even though I know GMOs don't wash off, my point is I like to think of it as nature vs nurture and nurture is my only hope since I don't know what is conventional for limes or figs}

above: lime tree

I also grabbed a few more pumpkins for Thanksgiving and my kale is still hanging on and producing enough to add to smoothies and lunch throughout the week.

I also found some tomatoes that I didn't realize were growing.

I thought all my tomato seeds died since they didn't come up right away but then a few surprise plants popped up and they were flowering!  I was so excited to find these green jewels!  I hope they turn red before we leave for Europe!! I want to try a "sun dried" in the oven recipe with them! or maybe I'll just add them to salads. or make a pasta sauce.  epp! I'm so excited!

The basil has flowered so it's bitter and not really usable anymore.  I thought I saved some to dry but when I checked it, it didn't smell right, so I had to compost it to avoid any mold, next time I'm going to try the frozen herb butter method.

The bees however LOVE the basil, {which is part of my connection to the name Hawks and HONEY, my daughter is named after the basil plant and the bees were an iconic part of my pregnancy} so it's still in the garden feeding the bees and not so much us.  and I'm okay with that.

I also have this giant plant/weed {above}, I don't know what it is and don't think I planted anything like it.  Anyone know what it is?

and that's our garden for now, I'm not sure if we're going to get much else this fall/winter but I'll let you know!

Happy Gardening!

-Jenn

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Garden Fall 2013 Update {November 2013}

I've shared a few images on my instagram {private for family only} and twitter of our garden and realized I hadn't shared much here.  This year I planted quite a bit of plants, from seed, in our garden, here's how they came in...

above: little seedlings and sprouts within a few weeks of being planted.

above: a collage of a few intagramed images.

{while my instagram is private for friends and family in real life, I share all my images without kiddos on twitter}

our pumpkins a few weeks after seedlings, but as you can see the heat of an Arizona August damaged the plant.  It's difficult growing pumpkins here.  While they grow well here, if you don't start early enough they won't be ready by Halloween or even Thanksgiving. And if you plant to early they'll get destroyed by the heat.  I found no later than August gets me a few carvable (Howden) pumpkins, and even more (sugar pumkins) for pies by Thanksgiving!

The basil came in so well!

Kale, I often used for smoothies.

This squash, I think is a fairy squash from seeds I saved.

Some of that fresh picked kale and basil.

and some tomato seeds DID survive and I found a few baby tomatoes!

One of the not yet ripe sugar pumpkins that I'll be making into pie this Thanksgiving.

a Howden, not quite ready for Halloween.

Pumpkins on Sticks {sold at Trader Joes} are actually an eggplant/tomato cousin and mine weren't ready for Halloween, but maybe it will be orange by thanksgiving!

Above: our Halloween pumpkins.

I've added a few new trees and more plants are producing fruit, so I'll have to do another post soon!

How's your garden going? any tips for desert gardens welcome!

-Jennifer

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Garden Update Fall 2013

After diligent watering night and day, we're finally starting to see some sproutlings!

I think these are the plants coming up, I documented where I planted everything via photographs and now I'm having a hard time finding the images.  I don't really label anymore, since my sticks become brittle so quickly here from the sun, instead I just document where the seeds go, although, once the plant is a bit bigger I can identify it without labels anyway.  

Here is my adorable baby basil plant(s)  I over planted because last time they didn't come in very well.  I'm going to be heartbroken when I have to murder most of these little plants, but that's gardening for you... Only the strongest, healthiest survive.

The best part about gardening isn't just the food we get to eat; it's the interaction between nature and my daughters.  They are both learning how much work goes into food.  They know we don't take more than we can eat.  Wastefulness is not an option.  It's a disgusting characteristic and we are grateful for everything we have.  For everything we consume something must be sacrificed, we don't take this relationship for granted, we are not disrespectful, we are not selfish.  We appreciate the sacrifices made for us, each day, everyday.  We are honored to take what was once a plant or animal and turn it into energy and live fully with that gift.  In this world nothing is created or destroyed, simply transformed.  

Happy Gardening,
Jenn

You can also follow along on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Tumblr!

p.s. if you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your vote. Click the banner below and then the owl on the left. {No email required and no spam generated! promise}