Thinking Ahead

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It's that time of year again.....time to start thinking ahead to Spring planting. Time to get out there and weed out the old overgrowth in the garden beds and work on the composting. I'm determined to get my seeds started no later than next week so I can get a good root system going especially on my tomatoes. That way when time comes to put them in the ground, transplanting will be no issue.

Farmer's Market Finds & Harvesting

This morning my parents and I went to the local farmer's market. My main goal was to pick up some goat cheese but when I read that a particular vendor would be there with fig trees, I knew I had to add that to my list. We got there early in order to get the best pick on things, and boy am I glad I did. I was able to get 3 fig trees, some olive oil soap, rejuvenating lotion, green tomatoes, fresh figs, garden humus & blueberry kombucha...it was definitely a good morning at the market. Unfortunately, the goat cheese vendor was running late so I wasn't able to stay until they arrived. There's always next week though! 

So here are my beautiful fig trees....

 

 

Later this afternoon I went out to harvest in the garden. I still need to pick my herbs and lettuce, but here is a snippet of today's goodies. 

Floral Beauty

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beauty In Color

My newest additions to the landscaping. 

I so love Hibiscus. They are the epitome of the LORD'S beautiful color palate.

My shrimp plant. Look at the lovely salmon color. Gorgeous!

Yesterday's Harvest

Yesterday afternoon I was able to harvest a few more goodies from the garden. The large bouquet of basil was actually growing out of the compost bin. We have more red peppers, a few of the sugary grape tomatoes, zucchini and cucumbers. 

Cilantro

I so enjoy the flavor of cilantro in not only my Mexican style dishes but in others as well. The aroma is heavenly! Not only does it taste great, it's also great for you. This certainly makes me ready to get out and start picking some of my fresh grown cilantro in the garden.

Growth & Harvest

Starting to harvest from the garden....this is what I picked last Sunday. 

We have tomatoes, zucchini and lots of red hot peppers. 

Then again on Thursday I picked more red hot peppers, a few banana peppers 

& a couple of cukes and zucchini.

Time to start harvesting the spinach

There's definitely salad being added to my menu!

My tomato bushes are really picking up now. 

There's a ton of flowers on them. 

Soon, we shall have roma & better boys.

Jalapenos are getting tall & starting to flower. 

Behind them is the cilantro, which the cukes are

trying to take over.

The cukes are producing! They're not the english or seedless variety, but I'm still going to use them for a myriad of recipes including Tatziki sauce. 

Cilantro & bell pepper plants

Cucumbers everywhere

Tomato flowers...aren't they beautiful

Red hot peppers

Lovely tomatoes

The Persimmon tree is loaded with leaves. 

I can't wait until it starts producing.

Whenever I walk by the Sweet mint & Peppermint, 

I am greeted by the most awesome fragrances.

The wind has really tried to take it's toll on the young grafting on the 

Pecan tree, but with lots of work & prayer, it's staying strong!

The freeze tried to kill my tropical plant. 

I'm not sure of the exact name of it, 

but it is definitely coming back with a vengeance. 

I am so happy as this plant has special, sentimental meaning to me.

Banana peppers

Heirloom tomato

'Sugary' of grape tomatoes

This jalapeno has surprised me. I planted it in a pot 2 years ago & 

it has kept coming back...and producing! 

It was battered by the hail storm, survived the winter freeze and 

yet it still is blessing me with peppers.

'Red Robin' cherry tomatoes

More heirlooms....

Banana peppers

I love the beautiful flowers of the Lavender plant

My Rosemary & Oregano that were Easter gifts from family