Garden season.
I didn’t write anything about the garden this year, so I am lumping the whole summer into one post.
Strawberries are my favorite.
Their season is too short.
Peas were great.
Green beans were prolific.
Zucchini was plentiful.
Here is a post I wrote about starting your seedlings in the house.
Cucumbers were insanity!
Maybe the best season we’ve ever had.
It is always the case that no matter how closely I check, I miss some until they are too giant/going off.
But it turned out that one of my kittens was OBSESSED with cucumbers so she got entire buckets all to herself.
Garlic was good.
Every year we plant more.
Every year, still not enough.
Tomatoes and basil were excellent… we freeze both– it’s a GIANT pain in the neck, but so wonderful in the middle of winter.
Here is a post I wrote about freezing green stuff– KALE MADNESS!
Here is a video of how we make the soil blocks for the seedlings:
Kale was pretty good… considering the bugs. Used to be mid-to-late summer before it was a real problem. But every year they come sooner and this year we had them literally right away.
I used to fight them… but I’ve ceded. The bugs win.
It appears that I enjoy growing vegetables.
I don’t.
I only do it because I MORE-hate eating food that has been touched by 9,987 people and taken a ride through a factory.
What I DO love, are the flowers.
Here is a post of my favorite dahlias.
What I’m reading: How Not to Die,
I requested it from the library, but only a few pages in, I set it down long enough to BUY two copies— one for each of my parents, I wanted them both to begin reading IMMEDIATELY, not wait for the other to finish.
It’s interesting, fast-paced, and every few pages I got some SIMPLE but important information that is EASY to implement.
Example: broccoli sprouts.
Broccoli sprouts are the best source of Sulforaphane.
I proclaim myself MASTER OF SPROUTS, but I do not sprout broccoli?
FOR SHAME!
Which FYI, super easy.
I got these sprouting lids, and these broccoli seeds.
I also upgraded to these mason lids for regular storage, because when I read Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things I learned the regular lids are coated in cancer-causing toxic material *aggravated eyeroll.*
How Not to Die is structured as individual chapters dedicated to the most common diseases. You can read them in any order… I started with the brain chapter because dementia is my personal most-terrifying. Paul started with the stroke chapter– his father has recently had a stroke (doing alright, thanks… stress, slow going, but progress.)
I found all the sections interesting and valuable and MOTIVATING to incorporate ALL THE VARIETY.
Example: turmeric.
I have KNOWN that we should eat turmeric.
But I hate turmeric.
The book activated me to get a system so we eat it every day.
There is also a cookbook. I checked it out from the library… I’m not really a recipe person so I just looked at the pictures… they look good!
November 5, 2019 @ 11:37 am
Your gardens are lovely. Kitten in bucket is adorable.
November 5, 2019 @ 11:51 am
For the kale, try a spray of 100% neem oil, unscented castile soap, and hot water. I believe it’s 1 qt. water, 1 tsp. soap, 1/2 tsp neem. Spray in the evenings after the pollinators have gone to bed. You must use immediately – it won’t keep. Like Frank’s Red Hot sauce, “I spray that s*** on everything.”
November 5, 2019 @ 12:48 pm
I am not a sprayer (too lazy), but a farmer told me the secret of getting black aphids off kale – drown it. Just spray a ton of water on it and when you think it’s too much, spray some more. It should be sitting in a puddle. Works for us lazy folks.
November 5, 2019 @ 11:53 am
Did I miss the reveal of the new kitchen? I am so confused….. I can understand that you are no longer buying (or revealing?) GFT, but I really wanted to see the kitchen. 🙁
November 11, 2019 @ 10:13 pm
I agree, I feel like I’ve missed something. We want to see the kitchen!
November 5, 2019 @ 11:59 am
Love, love, love this post! Been a big fan of yours for years but I love seeing your gardening successes.
November 5, 2019 @ 12:07 pm
Loved this post, good tips and great read! Thanks for the tip on the book. Small FYI the demand for turmeric is so great, some suppliers are adding a dye with something harmful to us, lead or merc, not certain. The purpose of this dye is to make the color of turmeric more appealing. Those dirty dogs! I give you something healthy, but it’ll kill you at the same time
Research this allegation. I read it online from a health site…could be fake news.
All the best to you and yours, four footed, furry and funny
November 5, 2019 @ 12:08 pm
Love the veggies pics and dahlias are new to my favorite flower list. The title of the book grabs one. . . I will give it a whirl. Really don’t think that you could give up GFTs, maybe cut back, but don’t quit unless your home is bursting. Your videos are epic. How could that amount of garlic not be enough???
November 5, 2019 @ 12:18 pm
What a smile on my face,to see a post from you. I don’t know you and never will but I like you and Paul much better than a lot of people I do know. Any hoo- I always worry when a writer stops dropping in for a chat. So glad you were busy being super productive as usual. Paul probably built a stairway to Paradise -just to keep his hand in. Take care and do a dance post once in awhile. Even bigger smiles.
November 5, 2019 @ 12:29 pm
I have the book and the cookbook — both are excellent! It has been fun trying the different recipes and choosing our favorites.
Highly recommend. Love the kitten in a bucket. ❤️
November 5, 2019 @ 1:13 pm
I read that book…it’s profound. I try to tell others, but few people want to change dramatically. Regardless, it changed how we eat and think about what we put in our bodies. Really, it’s one of the ONLY things that we can control when genetics are predetermined.
November 5, 2019 @ 1:15 pm
You’re garden is A-MAZING! I especially love sweet peas! The dahlias are beautiful too — when I was quite young, my grandmother would send me the rhizomes to plant! Not surprised your kitten likes the cukes. “Shadow – a special kitten” (facebook) has a cat, Pepper that loves lettuce, so Cheryl always puts some in a cup for her when she brings it in from the garden. I think you would enjoy her posts too.
November 5, 2019 @ 2:54 pm
Your garden is ginormous and your flowers look amazing! Kudos to you for doing the work even though you don’t enjoy it. I don’t enjoy it either, but if I still lived in PA I would be doing it, like you – unfortunately it is so hot and humid in NC where I live, there is just no way… and stuff grown in our soil down here doesn’t taste as good as it did in PA. I’ll check out the book – sounds very interesting. All the best to Paul’s dad – hoping for continued recovery!
November 5, 2019 @ 3:09 pm
OMG, your garden is amazing! What are you feeding your plants – steroids?! I’m suffering from a serious case of garden envy! And I love your adorable kitten with the cucumbers. Every time I see your kitten posts and videos, I want to adopt more kittens. Not a good idea – already got two. I wish I had volunteered, like you, to take in rescues until they found their forever homes, but I know my two male kitties would not do well with that.
I know you are a reader and I’m going to take the liberty of recommending a book that I think you would enjoy. It’s called “A Street Cat Named Bob”. It’s a light read. A feel good true-story about a young man who kind of lost his way, and then this amazing cat comes into his life and helps him to turn things around.
Thanks, as always, for the great post, Victoria.
November 5, 2019 @ 4:55 pm
The movie was very good, you should watch it.
November 5, 2019 @ 3:22 pm
But we ARE going to die. I’d rather die eating doughnuts than kale and sprouts.😂😂😂😂😂
November 5, 2019 @ 7:57 pm
Carolyn, that’s what I thought too! No one lives forever. This comes from a 65 yr. old who just had a heart attack in September. I’m not the healthiest person to walk the earth, although I try. Heart issues are in my genes on both sides, and I consider myself lucky I’ve already surpassed my fathers’ age. Mom managed to make it to 91, although she wasn’t aware she did. I ask myself which one would I rather be like if I could choose? Dad went fast as a snap of the fingers, so that sounds better than not being “there” at the end. And my whole point is that I doubt changing things at my age will make much difference overall. I’ll eat the doughnuts, thank you! Kittens forever!!!!
November 5, 2019 @ 3:38 pm
Here’s how I do turmeric: on sourdough toast, spread virgin coconut oil, sprinkle turmeric and black pepper (supposed to be important to use with turmeric) and then spread a little organic honey. Also good with lemon pepper that doesn’t have salt in it. I used to buy Penzey’s Florida Pepper when they were in Chestnut Hill, but now I just do plain pepper. I also sprinkle some turmeric in when I cook rice which gives it a lovely yellow color. White rice now looks anemic to me. You can add a little to many dishes and never even know it is there.
I envy your basil. Mine got fusarium wilt this year for the first time. Very disappointing.
How’s that kitchen coming along?
November 12, 2019 @ 4:48 pm
Lisa, Yes I really miss that Chestnut Hill store too. You do know they are now in Center City? What I do is check their Facebook for discount codes and specials and order online. They also have free shipping quite often.
November 5, 2019 @ 3:56 pm
Your dahlias are beautiful. I planted flowers for the first time this year. Planted dahlias in June and they didn’t bloom till September and they are gorgeous. I also planted a vegetable garden for the first time and I had so much fun.
November 5, 2019 @ 5:47 pm
Victoria, it is so funny that your kitten is OBSESSED with cucumbers. There is a plethora of video compilations on YouTube about cats being scared of cucumbers…your kitten is rare, going by the compilations!
I am currently reading The China Study by T. Colin Campbell. Eye opening, scientifically demonstrated benefits of whole food plant based diets, and so very educational! We truly are what we eat.
Love your gardens, you are such an inspiration!
November 6, 2019 @ 3:59 am
Enjoyed this post very much, as usual. I live on DAHLIA LANE. Wish you posted more often. Are you kind of on a sabbatical? We need to do that once in a while. That was funny what one person said about Paul building a stairway. lol Are you hunkering down for the winter? I am here in WA. Looking forward to your next post/blog.
November 6, 2019 @ 7:38 am
Lovely! Would love to see the garden plan — how do you fit it all on your property? I thought you had a city lot — ha! Obviously not! I’m too lazy to dig a garden and I’ve tried tomatoes in a patio pot but the result have been disappointingly not worth the effort, regardless of the variety I try. What kind of tomatoes do you plant?
Enjoy the bounty
November 6, 2019 @ 8:11 am
Oh, LOVE the flowers and the veggies.. funny that your kitty liked the cucumbers.. usually cats are suspicious of anything with that “shape” . Great book! I ordered a used copy, will inspire us to eat even more plant foods only. Your posts , when one comes out, are a special time that I set aside to just enjoy!
Giving thanks for YOU this season.
November 6, 2019 @ 4:28 pm
Your garden looks lovely and productive–gorgeous dahlias. I envy your ability to grow sweet peas–my favorite flower of all. My grandmother grew them in lovely profusion every summer in England. I have a combination of too much shade and too much heat in this garden in Virginia to grow anything that needs sun, unfortunately. Hostas do great–but I miss flowers and have given up on vegetables.