Let's Get Small!

You say you've got no balcony? You say your apartment is so small you have to go outside to change your mind? You say you wish you could grow something edible in your south facing window? Have I got a tomato for you! Meet Tiny Tom, a tomato plant so small that it can be grown in 6 inch(15.2 cm) pots. You say you don't have money for plant pots? Well, the little beauty pictured above is nestled in a re-purposed liquid laundry detergent container.

Just make sure you clean and rinse the container thoroughly and just as a precaution, use a plastic shopping bag with a couple of holes cut in the bottom to line the container to make sure no errant trace of detergent gets to the roots of your plants.

While it's true that you won't be able to boast about the fist size tomatoes you've grown. A little green makes the day brighter. And when they ripen, you'll have something to nibble on that won't make you feel guilty in the least. You can even sprinkle them in a salad as an extra pop of tomato flavor.

O.K., now you have no excuse not to get growing and add some fresh vegetables to your diet. Enjoy!

Attack Of The Large Leaf Basil Plant!

If my lettuce leaf basil plant keeps producing leaves of this size I think I'll have to start calling it Audry II. I may also have to seriously consider opening a pesto factory!

Never Refuse To Reuse Refuse!

My instincts towards thrift often lead me to a local hardware store where there is a section devoted to items which have arrived in less than pristine condition and are for sale at discounted(sometimes deeply) prices. When I saw this damaged waste paper basket, I knew it would make a perfect home for a Tiny Tom tomato plant. And at only 25 cents, how could I refuse to purchase it?

Tiny Tom is one of the increasing number and variety of cultivars that has been specifically developed for growing in containers. I could have spent more money on a really nice ceramic pot or a fancy plastic one. But all this busted up dustbin needed was a liner to cover the holes. A standard plastic grocery bag with a couple of holes punched in the bottom fit the bill. And some good potting soil mixed with homemade compost completed the picture.

As you can see the tomatoes are coming in just fine and will soon be ready to do their part in a salad or for guilt free snacking. Reuse of refuse not only helps the planet, it can be delicious too.

Summertime And The Living Is Tasty

The summer solstice has come and summer is now with us. Though each day henceforth will offer fewer of the life-giving solar rays that produce the bounty of the garden, there is still plenty of time to celebrate the days of summer. And what better way can be found to do that than by enjoying summer squash? Though best when young and tender, this specimen of papaya pear squash still has a few days before it is ready to be harvested. And I can hardly wait!

Chive Talkin'

Chives is the common name of Allium schoenoprasum, the smallest species of the edible onions. Mother Nature apparently loves this zesty herb since it is native to Europe, Asia and North America. And it turns out that in addition to their flavorful taste, chives actually have insect repelling qualities and are used in some gardens as an organic form of pest control. Ain't nature grand!?

How To Get A Head In The World

Remember that tiny, unassuming cabbage sprout from the photo in March? Well, it's almost grown up and ready for harvest. It wouldn't be worth gardening if fresh cabbage wasn't one of the benefits, in my humble opinion. I'm still just growing mine in containers, but one of these days I'll have to try raising them in a proper cabbage patch just to see how large they can get.

Salad Days

"My salad days,

When I was green in judgment..." 

Anthony and Cleopatra

I have nothing to offer here as dramatic as a Shakespearean play. Just lettuce that is so recently gathered from the garden that if it were any fresher, it would have to be slapped! And it certainly tastes great in a salad with homemade basil dressing.