Homegrown compost and seeds — a good mix for the Florida winter vegetable garden. We’ve already harvested cucumbers and radishes. The winter garden feast begins!
Starting Our Winter Kitchen Garden
Posts Categorized: In My Backyard
Fungus Among Us
Last week’s rains persuaded our backyard’s underground mycelia to bear fruit. Mushrooms popped up in the mulch pile, the compost pile, the dirt pile…everywhere! So, what are mushrooms? Here’s a quick explanation by Steve Bender, The Grumpy Gardener: “Mushrooms, no matter their size or color, are but a very small and visible part of an… Read more »
The Tiny Mole
Today, Tim found a tiny mole in our backyard. I have never seen a real mole before. I mistakenly imagined them being as big as beavers, based on my reading of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia: “Moles were Talking Beasts that were smart, intelligent and peaceful animals. They were also excellent diggers and gardeners”… Read more »
Fried Zucchini Blossoms
Tim has fond memories of his NuNu pan-frying zucchini blossoms when he was growing up. This year, we have two prolific zucchini plants in our spring garden. Today, we picked some blossoms. Sue washed them to get the ants out. Then, Tim pan fried them for appetizers. NuNu would be so proud! Pan Fried Zucchini… Read more »
The Bees Came a’Buzzin
We love honey! Why not get it from our backyard? We bought a beehive starter kit from Dadant & Sons, and ordered a bee nuc from Mountain Sweet Honey. Tim assembled the hive in February and we patiently awaited the arrival of the bees, due in late March. Today, the bees arrived via U.S. Mail…. Read more »
Nutritious Cruciferous
Our winter brassicas — broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage — provide plenty of vitamin C, folate, carotenoids, and other beneficial compounds, as well as abundant fiber. We make slaws and raw salads because cooking breaks down the beneficial compounds and dissipates the vitamins. If cook we must, a quick steam or light stir-fry are good alternatives… Read more »
Ay, Carambola!
The fruit of our labor. Two years after planting, our carambola tree is laden with fruit. Sweet, light, juicy. Better than a juicy box!
You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato Gratin
What to do with all those vine-ripe tomatoes? Try this Tomato Gratin recipe from EatingWell.com. Basil from the herb garden and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese infuse the tomatoes with freshness and zip. No need for breadcrumbs…I leave them out.
Better Than Farm to Table
Backyard kale, tomatoes, broccoli, radishes and green pepper — from bountiful dirt to nourished bellies in less than an hour. How’s that for fresh?!
Avian Diversity
Birds love backyards. The gnarled branches of trees and canopies of shrubbery offer nesting homesteads. Fruiting trees and seasonal gardens provide plenty of forage.. And, of course, overflowing bird baths and everflowing bird feeders invite them to stay a while. I’m amazed at the diversity of birds flitting in my backyard. So many colors, shapes… Read more »
