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Monday 13 July 2020

The vegetable patch

The raised garden plot in the backyard has brought us much enjoyment and nutrition in the past number of years. During that time, we have grown a variety of vegetables, some more successfully than others.


This year, we are growing cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, yellow beans, kale, onions, lettuce and herbs. We bought our starter plants at a nursery in the country this year and the plants were sturdier than those available in the city.





We have been eating kale and lettuce for weeks now and the other vegetables are growing nicely. I enjoy the Russian kale with a sprinkle of flavoured balsamic vinegar.





Presently I am using a blueberry variety. A few leaves are enough for my husband and I. In the fall, I will blanch and freeze what remains. We usually have enough kale until mid winter. 


There are savings with growing these vegetables even taking the cost of the starter plants into account. For example, a three pack of peppers here is $6 or $7 this time of year and doesn’t decrease much as the season progresses. 





In another month most of the other vegetables will be ready for harvesting. If we have a bumper crop of tomatoes again, I will can some as I have in the past, making tomato jam, marinade or pizza sauce or just bottles of tomatoes. Knowing what is in your food is a huge bonus.





Besides there is nothing better than produce which goes from the garden to the table in minutes. It doesn’t get any fresher or better than that!


31 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Enjoy your veggies!

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Things are looking good. You can't beat home-grown vegetables.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The fresh veggies are wonderful, you will have a great supply for the summer and winter. I love kale, tomatoes and peppers. It is nice to know your veggies and home grown and there are no chemicals. Take care! Enjoy your day, have a great new week!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I absolutely love the idea of growing our own veggies Marie, but it does seem so much work with the bugs, water etc. I do have a mango tree and blueberry bush that do really well though 😊 Your veggie garden is fantastic 💚

Linda said...

This is the first I remember hearing about your gardening passion. I'm impressed. I've never had much luck, usually ends up food for my 4 footed and winged friends.

The Furry Gnome said...

Nothing like a productive garden!

Debbie said...

i did not remember that you did this, your garden looks awesome!!

i read this on the internet and could not disagree more "growing your own tomatoes, is the best way to devote 3 months of your life to saving $ 2.17"!!! there is nothing better than a home grown tomato. nothing better than walking out to the garden to "pick" dinner!!!

Bill said...

Fresh veggies from the garden are the best. Enjoy!!

At Home In New Zealand said...

I agree, Marie. Nothing is better than fresh produce straight from the garden to your table. We used to get so much joy from sitting down to a meal that we had grown ourselves :)

The Happy Whisk said...

I LOVE THIS POST!
So good to know where your food comes from.
Just a pure joy, kinda thing.

Jenn said...

That's great! I admire gardeners. I have some flower planters and this year do have a variety of peppers, we have already used some of our pablano and jalapeno peppers!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Your gardens look lovely and I’m sure the results are tasty.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

I used to grow vegetables and enjoyed it very much. My yard is surrounded by other yards and they all chem lawn so I am afraid to grow veggies.I do grow herbs in pots on my deck.

DJan said...

Your garden looks wonderful. You reminded me I should go out there and see if I have any cucumbers yet. The raspberries are just about over already. :-)

Rose said...

Wow, your garden looks wonderful! Everything loks like it is growing so good.

Joanne Noragon said...

From one old gardener to another, that is a beautiful garden! Just look at that soil!

Red said...

I also like vegetables that I grow. Vegetables seem to taste better if they come right from the soil.

Barbara said...

I love to hear about people gardening and about canning and other home goods made with or without your garden products.

Stewart M said...

Nice! We have some winter vegetables just about ready to harvest - but not as much of a feast as you seem to have!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne.

Elephant's Child said...

YUM. Home grown tastes soooo much better than anything you can buy as well.

Helen said...

Your vegetables make my mouth water. Very impressive. I was going to say PEI red soil, but then remembered that the plants are in raised beds. Happy healthy eating.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Makes me wish I had a vegetable garden again.

Anita said...

It looks lovely!Nothing is better then our own products!

Rhodesia said...

It all looks great but we grow so many different things to you. Chillies, tomatoes, carrots, haricot beans, radish, sweet potato, 2 varieties of ordinary potato, mangetout, Swiss chard, pumpkins and butternut squash plus quite a few herbs. Homegrown food just tastes so much better :-)))) Enjoy and stay safe Diane

Mage said...

I used to be an avid gardener. (Just as I used to be an avid walker.) You can pickle green tomatoes and whole green beans. Now there are two treats for three seasons.

jenny_o said...

Your garden is looking wonderful, Marie. Isn't it exciting to watch food grow!

Tanza Erlambang said...

fresh, healthy and saving...love to watch plants to grow day by days...

Have a wonderful day

baili said...


Oh dear Marie congratulations for such delightful garden :)))

it looks heavenly indeed ,reminds me garden my mom used to have back in native village and home grown vegetables were most delicious food i ever eat though i was less in love with veggies then

how nice to have plenty of harvest form garden ,enjoy :)

William Kendall said...

My parents had a vegetable garden for many years, but I doubt Dad liked it as the years went on. He last planted just beans, and the deer got into them up in cottage country. He did not sound put out by their loss, as if he appreciated having the excuse not to plant them again.

Retired Knitter said...

I live in a condo, so no garden for me. But it is my favorite season - to go to markets and get fresh tasty veggies and fruit!! I think I could eat corn on the cob and tomatoes for my dinner every single night in the summer.

Catarina said...

Your vegetable garden is quite impressive!
I just have herbs.
: )