THE HEAT IS ON!!!

Well the heat is definitely turned up in our neck of the woods!  Our garden is growing great!  I can't believe the difference in growth from the pictures I posted just about two weeks ago!  AMAZING!  To the left of the garden gate is a piece of driftwood we found.  My husband buried it into the ground and placed a bird house on top!  I love it! 

Here are two of my very own tomato plants grown from seed.  The plant to the right is a "Big Boy" and I believe the one to the left is a "Roma".  I had some issues with the labeling of two different types of tomato seeds that I planted so I will not know for sure which plants are "Roma" and which are "Jelly Bean" until they actually produce fruit!  Next year I will definitely be more careful with labeling!

Here are two of my potted tomatoes.  The front plant is a volunteer "Husky Cherry Tomatoe" and the back pot is a Parks "Choice Container". 

This is a Basil plant I started from seed!  The herbs do very well in my garden.  I planted this one as a companion to the tomato plants!

Here is a new bed that I am working on!  This is an all natural bed.  I found the tree pieces on the front of our property.  They work perfectly as "trough" style flower beds!  I will be adding another row of daylilies to the existing row.  In the back of the pictures is my compost bin, hiding behind my Magnolia!

Happy Gardening!
Mindy

BASIL PRESERVING

My garden basil plant

My basil plants are producing very well this year.  I decided it was time to do some preserving.  Generally speaking you can get at least four major harvests of basil leaves during the growing season from one plant.  When I see flower buds forming, I go into harvest mode.  This encourages new growth and more harvests for the future!  I also have a basil plant in a pot on my back deck, I use this for cooking, as it is just outside the back door near my kitchen.  Great for quick access!

Chopping the leaves and placing them in ice cube trays.



I wash the basil leaves, chop them, and place them into ice cube trays.  The trays are then placed in the freezer until the cubes are frozen.  I then pop out the cubes and place them in a freezer bag.  I add the cubes, as needed, to sauces, soups, and other culinary creations!

I have also made a lot of pesto as well!  I keep some in the refrigerator to use and then I freeze the extra!  It is very nice to have some "fresh" pesto in the dead of winter! 



In the trays, water added, and ready for the freezer!



 BON APPETIT!