It looked as if it might rain today ... and it has since I walked outside to the garden. It prompted me to stroll and see what was happening out there as I didn't go yesterday (and things in a garden, as you may know, can change drastically in 2 days!). Soon, I will post some garden pictures but as you walk down my driveway, there is an entrance to my garden via stepping stones. Those lead to a stepping stone path that runs the long length of my garden down the middle. At the intersection, Keith planted 8 pickling cucumber plants in a nice bed and I just happened to move around some leaves and see if there was anything.
Lo and behold ... I saw the sweetest sight ... the first cucumber of the season! As I mentioned yesterday, I was afraid that because of my planting schedule, things would be very far behind. But it looks as if things may stay right on schedule! this is about when I started harvesting cucumbers the past few seasons (maybe a few days to a week later) but all in all, I think this is great!
After taking a picture, I went in to show Keith his first pickle and we both went to the garden. After rummaging among more leaves, there were at least 5 pickable pickles! I am thinking that this evening, there may be a cause to marinate these with some sliced onions in a white vinegar and sugar/salt brine to have with dinner. YUM! That has to be one of my favorite summertime treats. Mix half white vinegar and half water and add a teaspoon of salt and a few tablespoons of sugar and thinly sliced onions. I let them sit in the fridge for a few hours and they are so yummy with grilled meats and such.
The great thing is ... there are many, many, MANY yellow blossoms on these plants and most of them are females. Each cucumber and squash contains male and female blossoms and the females are the ones that already have an itsy bitsy fruit attached to the flower. The males are simply on a stem. Well, the more females you have, the more prolific your plant is going to be. I think we'll be lucky this year!
Lo and behold ... I saw the sweetest sight ... the first cucumber of the season! As I mentioned yesterday, I was afraid that because of my planting schedule, things would be very far behind. But it looks as if things may stay right on schedule! this is about when I started harvesting cucumbers the past few seasons (maybe a few days to a week later) but all in all, I think this is great!
After taking a picture, I went in to show Keith his first pickle and we both went to the garden. After rummaging among more leaves, there were at least 5 pickable pickles! I am thinking that this evening, there may be a cause to marinate these with some sliced onions in a white vinegar and sugar/salt brine to have with dinner. YUM! That has to be one of my favorite summertime treats. Mix half white vinegar and half water and add a teaspoon of salt and a few tablespoons of sugar and thinly sliced onions. I let them sit in the fridge for a few hours and they are so yummy with grilled meats and such.
The great thing is ... there are many, many, MANY yellow blossoms on these plants and most of them are females. Each cucumber and squash contains male and female blossoms and the females are the ones that already have an itsy bitsy fruit attached to the flower. The males are simply on a stem. Well, the more females you have, the more prolific your plant is going to be. I think we'll be lucky this year!
As for the rest of the garden, plenty of tomato blossoms and squash blossoms but not a lot of veg yet. It was fun to see the okra getting large leaves and surging forward and watching my green beans and lima beans climb their tee-pee poles heavenward in seach of space and sunlight. Ahh, the garden is a little piece of heaven (however, the weeds are hell)! And as always, until next time.... ciao!
