the joy of gardening

[Vanessa]

Today got up very early (I mean for a SAt) and we worked on our garden plot 2 1/2 plus hrs. Lots of weeds but it was great. Well the first zucchini, lots of sage, tarragon, lovage a lot of that, chives and basil!

It was so quiet since most were probably still home. There are many gardeners on the site new and old and all the plots looked nice. Our tomatoes, peppers, beans, herbs are doing great. Today we put in parsley, fennel and pineapple sage to the herb area.

It was such a great way to start the day...just wanted to share it.
Well better go now and BBQ some kebabs! Enjoy the weekend

[BlueMoose]

That sounds great Vanessa! I would love to have a garden. It's one of my goals for the next several years...something to do when the kids get just a little bigger so they can be involved and "help". It really gives you a sense of satisfaction and pride to go out to the garden and pick something you grew, doesn't it?

Happy Growing! :D
Chrisi

[SusanT]

We've been harvesting tomatoes and cucumbers for a couple of weeks now. We have very little space for vegetables but I've been pleasantly surprised with our yield.

Gardening has given me a new appreciation for vegetables. I hate to throw out vegetables now that I know how much work goes into growing them.

Congratulations on your garden!

[SusanL]

Vanessa, I agree 100% with you on gardening!! I spent 2 1/2 hours weeding our garden and it looks so sad, since I haven't been able to take care of it for 17 days, I may have to take out some of the vegetables and start again!!
Those darn bunnies ate my swiss chard and red beets! I did try the plastic snakes, they seem to be working against the birds and bunnies! Our backyards look comical with eight plastic snakes in my yard and two neighbors!!
Can't wait until we can harvest our veggies, growing season is late in this part of PA!!

[maureen k]

Thanks for the great idea on the snakes! My beets disappeared and I wasn't sure what to blame it on. I've just moved to Maryland from California and I'm still getting used to the fact that I can't grow things year round. My herb garded is doing wonderfully except my rosemary, which is the same size as it was when I planted it in May!! Any tips from anyone in the MD area on rosemary. It grows like a WEED in CA!
Never-the-less, I'm loving living in the "country", if I could just keep those critters away from my beets!
Maureen:D

[Vanessa]

Maureen:
I am in mD too and this yr rosemary is misbehaving. One dead the one that has been umoved in the window in the kitchen is doing great the one on the deck is finally growing. My advice is don't overwater. I bought one and used potting soil its in sun/part shade with lets say 4 hrs sun (deck).
My sis in law in Va beach area had a huge bush of rosemary...I think it could be she had milder winters.
Welcome to MD and hope you get to like it as much as CA.

[Zinnia]

I love to garden! I just did a bunch of weeding myself. It tends to take me ALOT longer to do it because whenever I see a bee I get up and run until it flies away. I have flowers everwhere, and have been gardening for many years, but I am terrified of bees.
My kids & neighbors are used to me now, but anyone else that saw me would call me freak :o !
A few days ago I brought in from my garden a bunch of collards, Romaine lettuce, 3 zucchini, 2 tomatoes, celery, & a couple small carrots. I made an awesome salad, and am going to try a recipe from this board soon too! Happy gardening everyone, :) Zinnia

[KathrynY]

Zinnia - LOL! You sound just like my DH with your bee-phobia :). You're definitely not alone.

Vanessa, I know what you mean about getting up early and working in the garden - such a peaceful way to start the day. My vegetables won't be ready for harvest for at least another few weeks we had such a wet spring here, so this weekend I just weeded and worked on my perennial bed.

Anyone have any good tips for keeping down the weeds? I've got two raised vegetable beds that I mulch with dry grass clippings, and that seems to do a pretty good job of weed control.

[beejayw1]

Hi, all -

After living in condo-style places that had lawns but no gardens (that I could fiddle with) I bought a house complete with .59 acres of land on it. This includes a tomato garden (to be honest, my next door neighbor tends it and shares, but it's on my land) and various other plantings.

Right now I'm pretty busy with my herb garden (anyone have a good recipe for lemon thyme?), with

It also includes some moles who, after the wet spring, are really going to town on the grubs in the yard. Unfortunately, they're also messing up the yard. I also have chipmunks, who are eyeing the strawberies.

I knew gardening would be hard work, but after planting Chinese Forget-Me-Nots and some other plants in a bed, edging the bed with low picket-fence edging, and doing various other things around the place, I'm happy as a clam. There's something really satisfying about sitting down and listening to the wind. Not to mention sitting down with a sandwich made of tomatoes from your garden, basil from your garden, and bread you've baked yourself...

Diana:cool:

[Vanessa]

Hi Diana.
I believe last yr I used thyme in this recipe
GRILLED LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN BREASTS WITH THYME GREMOLATA


Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 1/4 pounds), halved


For gremolata
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest


Garnish:
lemon slices
thyme sprigs

In a bowl whisk together lemon juice, pepper, and salt to taste and add oil in a stream, whisking until marinade is emulsified. With a rolling pin or smooth side of a meat pounder flatten chicken 1/4 inch thick between sheets of plastic wrap. In a large resealable plastic bag marinate chicken in marinade, chilled, 30 minutes.

Prepare grill.

Grill chicken on an oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals until just cooked through, about 2 minutes on each side.

Serve chicken sprinkled with gremolata and garnished with lemon and thyme.


Make gremolata:
In a small bowl stir together gremolata ingredients. Serves 6.
Gourmet
June 1995

Emeril made a chicken using thyme

LEMON THYME CHICKEN WITH ROSEMARY NEW POTATOES
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse
1 whole (3-pound) chicken
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh thyme
1/2 cup finely chopped lemon zest
1 lemon, juiced
8 new potatoes, quartered and blanched
1/4 cup chopped rosemary
Salt and pepper
4 fresh rosemary sprigs

Preheat the grill.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In a small mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, fresh thyme, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Rub the entire chicken with the lemon and thyme rub. Place the chicken on the grill and grill for 10 to 15 minutes on each side. In a mixing bowl, toss the potatoes with the remaining olive oil, fresh rosemary, salt, and pepper. Roast for 10 to 12 minutes or until the potatoes are golden.

Place the potatoes on the platter. Lay the chicken against the potatoes. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and Essence.

Yield: 2 servings

[Jessica]

I just have to share. I have my first garden and today I went outside and three of the cherry tomatoes are turning red. I know this is what tomatoes are supposed to do, but I was just so thrilled that I grew them and in a day or two, I can eat them.

[beejayw1]

Many thanks, Vanessa - I'll try them. Since the thyme in my garden is both regular (very good) and lemon thyme (rub between your fingers and you get a very strong citrus scent and flavor) I think I can probably cut down on the lemon in your recipes.

I'll give them a try!