The first veggies from our garden

The other evening I harvested all the potatoes that were growing in our back yard. They look beautiful. I wish we would have had as much success at Nutsedge Farm as we did with the ones at the house, but it all comes down to soil. I grew two types at the house - Purple Peruvian and Peanut. I got a good 8-10 lbs. I'm going to use some of them to make a potato salad for the open house at the farm tomorrow. Some of the others I am going to throw in the crock pot with chicken and green beans.



Here's a picture of the Yellow Wax Beans that at the house. They grew abundantly. I wish I had staggered the planting by a week or so to prevent them from all coming in at the same time. Regardless, they taste good, and it is motivating me to try my hand at pickling/canning. I am, however, having a hard time getting my hand on some dill (I'm guessing I'm not the only one feeling the pickling mood these days). I kick myself for not having any growing.



We are growing some tomatoes. They are coming along okay. I have really slacked on staking them and there is clearly a calcium deficiency in our soil. We have harvested a few and they taste good. Last night I made a gazpacho with a mix of our tomatoes and others from East Georgia Produce, along with cucumbers and onions from Walker Farms, and shallots from Nutsedge. It was my first gazpacho and, altho the look on Brian's face was less than delighted when he learned this was our dinner, he cleaned his bowl!!



I have really struggled with my Tomatillos this season. I was stoked when my friend at Grove Creek Farm said she had Purple Tomatoillos - how cool. I had the grandest visions of growing a beautiful crop and selling them all to my most favorite taqueria , the Roosters Beak. No such luck. The crop has been decimated by squash bugs. I didn't spray, I probably should have, but instead I took the attitude that if they just stay on the Tomatillos then my other crops won't suffer from their devastation. Here is a picture of the baby squash bugs. I think they are so cute - and they make this 'pop' when you squish them:-)

Garden City Flowers

The garden is really coming along out back. I cut these flowers this morning - it's zinnia's and basil.

The woes of beekeeping

It's almost time for our summer honey harvest. I was out checking on our dear little ones and I pissed off the wrong lady. She got in my hood and stung me in the eyelid!!! It didn't hurt but it took days for the swelling to go down.

Brian and I each have a good battle wound pic from our dealings with the hive. Not only was Brian getting stung in the head he was having an allergic reaction to the rye-grass too.

Summer Solstice Stroll/Augusta Photography Festival

The Augusta Photography Festival begins next Friday, June 11, with the kick-off event, Summer Solstice Stroll. It's been two years since they had this festival but I understand it was a great success and good fun last time. Garden City Organics is featuring the work of Richard Martin, a retired professor. This exhibit will display his photos of Georgia flowers and landscapes.

Here's a tiny preview of what we have on display -



His website address is www.earthartphotography.com

We would love you to join us on the 11th from 5-9pm. 11 other downtown businesses will be featuring photography exhibits as well.