Sweetcorn is Showing Silks and Tassels. 7.13.2021

This is the SE+ variety "Trinity". It is a bit shorter than main crop varieties, and the ears are a bit smaller, but it tolerates cool springs and produces an early crop. It's a delicious home grown sweet corn variety, somIm looking forward to a cropmin a few weeks.

Given the dry hot weather, I'm watering about every other day. The corn plants are big enough to shade the soil, so that helps.

Volunteer Flowers Blooming. 7.11.2021

I didn't plant any new flower seeds this year. However, if something came up, I let them grow in place. Now there are cosmos and nasturtiums blooming.

Another Dahlia Blooming. 7.11.2021

Each new dahlia is my favorite. They are loving this weather. What is a vegetable garden without a row of dahlias?

Squash Blossom Soup. 7.11.2021

Even though honeybees have been all over the squash blossoms, I wanted to try something different. This recipe is inspired by one in "The Classic Zucchini Cookbook" by Ralston , Jordan, and Chesman (2002). I liked that it uses a surprise vegetable (squash blossoms) as well as garlic and onion that I grew, and the garnish is finely chopped Garlic Chive that I grew from seeds this year. This is about 35 squash blossoms, a big garlic clove, a small onion.

I saute the onion and garlic in 3 tbsp olive oil for 5 min, add the chopped squash blossoms, saute 2 min. Then add 3 cup of water, 1 1/2 cubes veg boullion, bring to boil and simmer 10 min. Take off heat, blend by portions in food processor, return to sauce pan and heat, add about 1/2 cup coconut milk. Sprinkle with pepper and chinese chive garnish.

The zucchini "Costata Romanesca" has the largest blossoms but I also used blossoms from other varieties of squash. This was tasty. I used the coconut milk because yesterday I made a squash pie and substituted coconut milk for evap milk, and had this much left over. That turned out very good.

Planting a Late Crop of Bush Beans. 7.8.2021

With the garlic harvested, a raised bed is open for planting a kitchen garden crop. According to the seed sources, these should be ready in about 55 days. Of course, that will depend on weather and other factors. I planted three open pollinated varieties.