I have been gardening away, just not posting about it. I realized I loved the variety of kale we had going (tasted sweet! survived the summer heat!) and wanted to plant the same variety again, but I hadn't kept record of it. Time to jump back on the wagon of record keeping.
We have had more freezing nights this spring than I have ever seen in the low desert. Luckily, I thought ahead and picked up some Wall o' Waters. I can tell the difference in the tomato plants who are cozy inside and those that aren't. This doesn't worry me much since it will just offset when each plant fruits.
This year I chose my old stand by favorite "Big Boy" variety and an heirloom "Brandywine". We loved the "Sweet 100" from years before but didn't plant any this year.
I planted 6 zucchini plants. I may regret that choice. :) Some of them may not make it from the freezing temps. I am hoping to julienne many of them and dehydrate them to be used as 'pasta' when it is too hot for the zucchini to grow.
Planted sweet potato starts. The soil in that bed hasn't been turned. A top dressing of compost and knowing the sweet potato will grow anywhere will be enough.
Harvested a bunch of chives to dehydrate today as well. The artichoke over wintered really well and has put out two new rooted shoots.
beets
carrots
artichokes
cucumbers (Armenian cucumbers seem to do best here)
eggplant
melons
sweet potato
pumpkins
squash
The Canna Lilies have spread nicely. They need to be divided soon. The frost took all of the greenery out, but there are shoots of green from the tubers coming up. As soon as I'm sure the frosts are over I will cut them back and divide them.The celery has reseeded itself. Most of that will be turned under. But we love the tender leaves in salads.
