It's been two months since I started my kitchen garden, and things are blooming all over! Remember these tomato babies?
March 21, 2014
Here they are on May 1.
It's been a warm spring here in Charlotte. This week has been sunny with lows north of 55 and highs approaching 90, and the 'maters are loving it. Follow me below the compost heap for more photos of the goodies.
My spring green harvest is drawing to a close. The mesclun did beautifully until the temps started climbing. By May 5 it was starting to bolt, so I took the last cutting. That little container produced a lot of salad, which was exquisite with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Mesclun, 5/5/2014
Komatsumu mustard spinach and garden cress:
5/1/2014
The next two two spring greens are from Burpee seeds, available at big box stores: Dwarf Blue Curled Yates Kale and organic Ruby Red Swiss Chard. Both require 55 days to maturity, so they're natural container partners.
5/9/2014
They are heat tolerant, still producing after almost a week in the 80's with no signs of bolting. The greens are tender enough to eat fresh, and divine wilted with a sauteed garlic and a whiff of nutmeg. I made some into quesadillas with fried onions and Swiss cheese.
Ruby Red Chard, 5/9/2014
My herbs are also going crazy, especially the basil. Basil loves warm, sunny days. This plant is ten inches tall and was started from seed a mere eight weeks ago. It's aromatic and tasty.
Fine verde basil, 5/9/2014
I was a little worried about the snap peas. Sown in a container on St. Patrick's Day, they were three feet up their trellis with nary a blossom. Then, today, this.
Sugar snap pea blossom, 5/9/2014
More flower action from the marigolds, started from seed 3/9/2014.
Marigold blooming 5/9/2014
Incredibly, I also have my first tomato blossoms. This variety, Orlovskie Rysaki, is named after a Russian breed of horses. All of my starts of this have been vigorous and fast-growing, so there must be something to the name. It's an early determinate -- very very early, if this is any indication. Cilantro in the background.
Orlovskie Rysaki, 5/9/2014
Lush new growth:
Orlovskie Rysaki foliage 5/9/2014
My next entry will cover more tomato varieties, plus peppers and more herbs. What is your garden growing?