It's been a good 3 1/2 months since I planted my very first Culinary Garden and it's been a much different adventure than anticipated. It was so overwhelming to just get started. Deciding what to plant and where, how far apart, will they survive, will I they not, etc. I finally took the plunge as I shared in my blog post about planting my first culinary garden and the results have been surprising.
First and foremost, it has been such a meditative experience. I thoroughly enjoy going out to my vegetable and herb garden daily to make sure it's getting enough water (since I don't have a watering system here yet). It allows me time to take a breathe from the daily hustle and bustle and just be with nature, even if it's just 10 minutes. It gives me time to see what new is growing, what is dying, what has visitors and what I need to Google. It reminds me of the many hours I spent with my grandmother, my Nina Chayo, in her jungle of fruit trees, plants and flowers in her ranch home in El Chante, Jalisco, Mexico. We lost my Nina Chayo last Monday, August 15th, 2016. And although I will miss her very, very much, I know she's now with my grandfather, Nino Daniel, in heaven. Because of her Alzheimer's, she never really knew he had past. I will cherish our memories forever...including the time we spent in her jungle of fruit trees and plants.
 |
| My Nina Chayo - Mother's Day 2016 |
Aside from my herb and vegetable gardening becoming a therapeutic activity, I've learned to just let things happen and let them grow as they wish, and make adjustments as necessary. And to my surprise, my bf and the boys have also enjoyed the garden, even suggesting what else I should plant next. So here's the update.
Tomatillos- finally growing tomatillos. The husk has sprouted and they definitely have tomatillos inside. Just waiting for the right time to pick them off. I can see why the recommendation is to plant a few plants, because it's only giving me a handful of tomatillos. And if my plan is to rely solely on my homegrown plants to make my salsa every week, I'm definitely going to need more. Unfortunately, I haven't found them at Home Depot again which is where I found this one. I'll probably have to place an order online.
Check out these beauties!!
Mint, Parsley Chives- The mint has grown quite well and the parsley has grown crazy good! I use it a few times a week...so happy I don't have to go out and buy it anymore. Chives have done ok. Not grown crazy but not died. I also don't use it much, so that's just fine.
Cilantro- Cilantro didn't do well last time around. I found in my research that when I planted the cilantro, the season was coming to an end and that the best time to replant is in September. Now, I realize it's still August, but I figured if Home Depot has them in stock, then it's time to take them home. If they die, HD has a great return policy. So here they are newly planted. Really hoping for great success with these because I use cilantro at least 4-5 times a week.
Arugula- this one really surprised me. It grew enormously. I planted two little packets of seeds and they grew about 3 feet tall. And, became way to bitter to eat. When it was little and barely growing, perfect salads. But afterwards it was too much. I tried them in my smoothies in replacement of my spinach and it was so bitter it hurt my throat. Weirdest feeling ever. So I cut the completely down to the root. I had planted 4 rows of arugula, so I took two out of the soil completely to plant something else. I don't think we can eat that much arugula in such short amount of time if it decides to grow back. So we're down to 2 rows of arugula.
And to the left of the arugula, where I pulled out the old arugula, I planted kale and spinach seeds. That way I'll have a larger variety of greens to use in salads and smoothies.
Jalapenos- these have done OK. I mean it has given me just the right amount of jalapenos I need. I don't use a ton, so it's been fine. The front plant gave me about 5 jalapenos. I picked them and used them, and it doesn't seem to be growing anymore. The back one has a few now, which I will pick soon. Did I let them go too long? Some are turning red!!! Not sure if this is normal...will have to research that! I sometimes wonder if it's neighbor the zucchini is too close and too powerful for it?
Zucchini- Oh the zucchini. I planted 2 zucchini plants and what an adventure. The size of these zucchinis was crazy...see??
I made zucchini chips, grilled zucchini, chopped zucchini in omelettes, zucchini soup...and I'm not tired of it yet! I love it. And not only were the zucchini large, but the plant itself just takes over the entire area!! I guess I should've taken the spacing requirements seriously...oops! Lesson learned.
The back plant seems to be dieing off. And at one point the zucchini started turning yellow...all of them. Some just seem to stopped growing all together, only to about 3 inches and they sounded hollow. So I just cut those off and threw them out. I fertilized, nursed them, and kept watering. I thought maybe it wasn't getting enough water in our 100+ degree weather here in SoCal. And the front one seems to be doing a lot better :-) Happy dance!
Red Bell Peppers- These have been quite disappointing, but I'm afraid the zucchini is to blame, perhaps. I get a sense that it's taking the nutrients from it, but who knows. This is the 3rd pepper that grows on it and look at it's state!!! Not sure if birds are eating it, or if it just can't grow healthy due to it feeling suffocated...or???....the soil is good as I made sure the whole area got new, organic soil before I planted anything. Not sure...will have to research that as well.
Basil- This is a newly replanted basil. For those of you who have been keeping up with my garden, you'll remember the first spot I planted in just didn't do well and one of our readers told me it needs a new spot, different from last year's. So I bought a new one and gave it a new spot. I have used it several times, but it doesn't quite seem to be growing. Perhaps it's been too hot....scorching 100+ degrees!! (the one in the front in the picture under Rosemary)
Rosemary- also doesn't seem like it's grown not an inch! I'll keep nursing it. (the one in the back in the picture below)
Pumpkin- this is new!! I bought two small plants and knowing what I know now with the zucchini, I gave it it's space. And boy does it like to spread out!! No fruit is growing yet, but I'm really looking forward to these babies.
Carrots and Peas- these have not been planted yet, but we have picked up seed packets! Just need to move some dirt and make room for them ;-)
Oh, and one final addition. Since I'm spending so much more time in the garden, planting, and tending, and loving, and watering and all that my Nina Chayo taught me to do with my garden...I picked up this little beauty to use as a potting bench. It sits just across from my culinary garden so it's easy to access dirt, shears, gloves, fertilizer, etc. It will definitely be getting a makeover with a fresh, new coat of paint, new knobs, hooks on the sides and perhaps I'll add a shelf on the bottom, so it looks neater. I'm thinking a bright Kelly green or maybe a sunny yellow.
So this is my Culinary Garden Update, 3 months since planted. Again, if you're interested in catching up on my journey, this is where you can read more on my herb and vegetable garden:
Culinary Garde Update, 5 Weeks
Thanks for taking this ride with me. And if you have any comments, feedback, ideas, or maybe even questions, please feel free to share in the comments below, or on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Until next time!
Sonia
