Baskets for Friends

Luba, Magun, and I went to the Summer Garden last night and did some picking. We filled an entire half bushel basket with Clemson Spineless and Burgundy Okra. We picked several (12-15) Arkansas Traveler and Yellow Brandywine tomatoes and  few California Bells. It was quite a haul and boy does that okra make a person itch like crazy. Anyway, we had so much last night that I delivered a couple of baskets to some dear sweet women at work......Enjoy Ladies.

Salsa

We tried our hands at "canning" salsa last night. We used ripe Arkansas Traveler, Yellow Brandywine, and Hillbilly tomatoes and some green Brandywines all from the Summer Garden. We used California Wonder Bell Peppers from the Summer Garden. We added some fresh cilantro, Anaheim and jalepeno peppers. Only time will tell if it is any good. On a side note, I never understood using the word "canning." Isn't it more like jarring or bottling? I know the phrase has been around forever but just a thought.

 Zesty Salsa!

We've Only Just Begun.....

Treehugger Organics is preparing to get larger. We will go and sign the papers next week to get 3 pieces of property donated by the Shelby County Land Bank to create 3 new community gardens in an area between Sam Cooper and Broad east of Tillman. There is one on Lipford and two a block away on Carpenter. We are going to make these self-sustaining, organic gardens with water reclamation systems that are solar powered. It is going to be a lot of work and timely, but I am sure we will get there. If all goes well, there is an old store between the two garden streets that would make a great organic, locally-grown store and CSA distribution center. It may be a couple of years, but we have to keep our eyes toward the future. Here are some pics of the properties. Anyone who would like to make a donation to the gardens feel free, it is tax deductible.

 

The Thankful Garden (588 Lipford) 47'x125'

 

The Little Buddy Garden (526 Carpenter) 40'x113'

 

The Peace Garden (533 Carpenter) 40'x113' 

The "Future" Garden Store hopefully. It is a great space and there is a large open plot next door for chickens and bees.

Eggtraordinary

We have great news. The 3 "baby" chickens (5 months old)-Nugget, Lila, and Oreo (finally a new name for the Barred Rock that fits, thanks Gabi Stein)-have started laying eggs. We have not figured out who, but we got 3 little eggs over the weekend. Look out world, the O'Dells are going to have a lot of eggs!

 

Stepahnie and Magun with the first 2 baby eggs.

The Little Buddy Pepper

My Little Buddy has a green thumb. With some expert watering skills, he has some exceptional bell peppers.

One Tomato, Two Tomato, Three Tomato, Four

The tomatoes are here in a BIG way. The Summer Garden is putting out the tomatoes. We are getting 15 or 20 a week. We planted Arkansas Traveler (Red), Yellow Brandywine, and Hillbilly (tri-color). The Arkansas Travelers are putting out 15 tomatoes a week (on 10 plants) about the size of a tennis ball and they are good. Yellow Brandywine (10 plants) are putting out about 5 to 10 tomatoes a week and they are big (the size of a softball) and meaty. The Hillbilly is a disappointment. I fell in love with the name at the start but the plants are not very good producers. Next year we will plant Arkansas Travelers and Brandywines for sure. I love the look and taste of heirlooms so if you have any variety suggestions, let me know. At home, the tomato plants are over 6 feet tall but taking their time giving us ripe fruit. However, the Sugar Cherry Tomatoes are great. they are about the size of a marble and always have a few ripe tomatoes on the plants. They are great to pick and eat. They will be back for sure next year.

 

Arkansas Travelers on the vine. This plant had four ripe tomatoes last week. (see below)

 

We have 10 plants and get 15 fruits a week

 Sugar Cherry Tomato-they are great!

Family Visit

This past weekend brought a lot of people to the Summer Garden. My dad and sister were in town. My dad, Ken O'Dell, has been in the plant business for over 60 years and he took a tour of the garden on Saturday. My sister, Virginia, brother-in-law, Bill, niece, Lilli, and nephew, Everett, went to the Garden on Sunday morning. The Hornbuckles took home some okra, beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Lilli was a champ at tomato picking. The boys picked beans and Virginia cut okra. When Lilli and Everett get bigger, maybe they can come help at the Treehugger Organics Gardens #1 (The Thankful Garden), #2 (The Little Buddy Garden), and #3 (The Peace Garden).

 

The Hornbuckles and no them ain't Easter Baskets

Carrots and Melons

So we never made it to the Summer Garden yesterday. Homework and all. Anyway, Magun and I kicked around the Home Garden-actually, I dug some carrots while Magun showed me her skills on her Razor Scooter. We got a handful of odd carrots. It should be more, but I did not plant them correctly. I planted the seeds too deep to start and probably too late or too early. Next year, we will go with a good orange carrot and be happy. These were a Rainbow Blend and though Magun likes them, the Red ones are not very good. Also, we picked out first Hale's Best Melon yesterday. The size of the melon compared to the mini Sivan can be seen below. I must say though...to be able to walk in the kitchen and see a basket of okra, tomatoes, a bunch of carrots, some melons, and a basket of beans and cucumbers sure is nice....and to be able to send a basket full of fresh produce to others is even better.

A Bunch of Rainbow Mix Carrots

 What's Up Doc!!!

Sivan F1 Melon (left) and Hale's Best Melon (right)

 The end of the day and a basket of fresh produce

Okra and Maters

Well, the okra has come in. We have a ton of Burgundy and Clemson Spineless Okra. Man does that staff grow fast. Magun and I went over on Sunday morning and cut about a half of bushel and Luba and I are headed back this afternoon to cut some more. We are finally getting some good sized tomatoes. Hillbilly and Yellow Brandywine. The corn ears look odd, but have good taste. There are some Black Beauty Eggplant almost ripe and more cucumbers for sure. Cucumbers-Silver Slicer, Marketmore, and National Pickling-the fruit that just keeps on giving. Oh yeah-Kentucky Wonder Green Beans are here. Luba will be working this afternoon!!!!

 Clemson Spineless Okra--picked with care by Magun O'Dell

 Burgundy and Clemson Okra-picked while Magun scratched bug bites

 Hillbilly and Yellow Brandywine Tomatoes-finally some sizable fruits

Big News and some notes as well

Last night, Magun and I went over to the Summer Garden and picked some tomatoes. I must say the Arkansas Traveler is a strong producer. We will definitely plant those again next year. Buddy the Amazing Farm Dog came along and stood guard. We checked the beans, corn, okra, cucumbers, eggplant and melons. Magun discovered a Moon and Stars Watermelon. It is small but surely does have a moon on it. When we got back home, there was some more canning done. We have been fortunate to have some gorgeous zucchini come from the Home Garden. Last night, we made a dozen half pint jars of sweet zucchini relish. It is supposed to be a lot like pickle relish and it sure did smell and look good--so we will keep our fingers crossed for some good relish this fall. Now for the Big News, I rode around with my Little Buddy--my father-in-law Dick Simons--and looked at some vacant properties owned by the Land Bank. We are acquiring six plots of land close to our house and will be establishing community gardens for the neighborhoods. These will be self-sustaining with the bounty going to the neighbors!!! Go Treehugger Organics!!!

 Magun and her Moon and Stars Watermelon

 Sweet Zucchini Relish in half pint jars

A weekend of new things

Well, it was a big weekend. Buddy the Farm Dog came to stay. In the Summer Garden, Magun, Buddy, and I picked some Clemson Spineless and Burgundy Okra-still about 5 or 6 days out from the big pick I think. We picked some Kentucky Wonder Green Beans. They are great. I remember eating them as a kid with my grandparents and they were so sweet, fresh and raw...still are. Magun loved them. We picked some smaller National Pickling Cucumbers and Stephanie and I made some Half Sours. 3 Big Half Gallon Jars! They will be ready in about 4 or 5 days. Our corn is slow to develop, but the kernels are big and moist but the ears are only half the normal size. I think we were late getting it planted but I have my fingers crossed. Next year, we will plant earlier and be prepared for the raccoons that ate all the corn in our Home Garden because it was planted on time. We picked 3 fair size California Bells (2 from Summer and 1 from Home) to use in Sweet Zucchini Relish we are making tonight hopefully. Below are a couple of pics of the Bells and the Half Sours--grow on!!!

 My Belle with some Home Garden California Bells for Sweet Zucchini Relish

 My girls with half gallon Half Sours

Buddy the Farm Dog

A quick post...more this afternoon. I would like to introduce--Buddy the Farm Dog. Buddy came to us over the weekend. He is about 18 months old. We had a struggle with a name-Ed? Riley? Baxter? but Buddy seem to fit. Welcome to the O'Dell and Treehugger clan. He has gone to the Summer Garden and was a great help and so was Magun!

 Buddy- I bet he is a dirt monster, no need for a tiller anymore

Pass the Butter Please-Oh and Bread Too!

Last night, we cut up about 16 cups of cucumbers-National Pickling and Silver Slicers. We "put up" 12 pints of Bread & Butter Pickles with a twist. Three hours of "chillin'" some sugar, cider vinegar, and secret spices and now it is a waiting game. Stephanie and Magun were the keys to the operation so I know the pickles will be wonderful. Now, we just have 10 lbs. of cucumbers left. Half/halfs anyone? Any other types?