I know it’s probably sad that I’ve lived in New England for over a decade and only went strawberry picking for the first time this past weekend. I can’t even say that it was my idea – my Youngest son was invited to a birthday party at a local farm, and strawberry picking and feeding the animals were the main events (other than cake and ice cream, of course). A pretty great party all the way around and how cute is watching your 2-year-old pick and eat strawberries?
I don’t know if this is weird, but I was inspired during our strawberry picking to do more gardening. I’ve been on the fence about trying to start our beans and pumpkins from seed this late in the season (is it late?). We’ve got plenty of tomato and kale in the garden, and two potato plants whose leaves are getting eaten (I really need to try to figure out what’s eating my veggies and how to organically combat them) but I think they’ll survive. I never got around to getting my beans and pumpkins started and was thinking about just not doing them this year. But after bringing home fresh, local strawberries I decided that I couldn’t go through the summer without looking forward to munching on green beans from the garden. So I went ahead and started my seeds (local nurseries didn’t have green beans or pumpkins).
I harvested my first lavender blooms to hang and dry today, and started some mugwort seeds – again. I tried getting mugwort growing at least three separate times last year, each ending in failure. All the people I know who are familiar with mugwort, can’t seem to get rid of it. I can’t get it started. If we ever get up to my herbalist friend’s house in New Hampshire this season, I’ll have to be sure to get some from her.
What are you growing this season?
Awesomeness! We did a little picking this weekend too, and it made me think of you and canning. 🙂 I’m wondering though, since the season seems to be FLYING and me squatting in the field with my giant belly is a challenge, maybe blueberries (picking and jam?) might be more fun for us to get together on? What do you think?
I have pumpkin seeds too, but haven’t planted and haven’t had the heart to throw the seed packet out. If you start your pumpkins I’ll start mine. 🙂
Our garlic and lettuce is fantastic. Tomatoes are starting to flower, peppers are kind of meh. No flowers yet. Sage is going like GANGBUSTERS, as are some of the other herbs. Thought I burned the poop out of my basil when I fertilized last week, but looks like it’s doing okay now.
Done! Pumpkin seeds are started. We had loads of blooms last year, and bees pollinating, but no pumpkins. Weird. Blueberries sound great! Are weekends your best time? We’re around the weekend after next…
Weekends are definitely best for me, but I don’t think blueberries will be in season until mid July. How about the weekend of July 14th or July 21st? Don’t know if there’s a place around you that you prefer, but here is where we went last year out here. http://www.noursefarms.com/customer-service/pick-your-own/
We planted our pumpkin seeds too and it only took about 3 days for them to bust through! We shall see how it goes with the actual growing/flowering though.
We’re away the weekend of the 14th, but back by the 21st – shall we pencil you in? 🙂 My pumpkin seeds haven’t sprouted yet, but the beans are doing great!
I will put you down for the 21st!!!! (Is that Saturday okay?) WOO HOOO!!!!
Grrr… we’re away that weekend at a family retreat (husband just reminded me). How about the weekend after, the 28th??
28th works!
Score! Ok, you’re on the calendar! We may have enough black berries here at our place by then that are ready for picking.
So, I think I need to bail on 7/28 already. : / It’s one of my best friend’s son’s first birthday party that day. How about July 14th? That may be a little early for blueberries, but I think we could make it work. 🙂
Bummer. I’m available on the 29th as well, if that helps. We’re away on the 14th. If not the 29th, shall we try for August? I’m booked the first weekend, but around on the 11th (but not the 12th, unless you want to come to the Peach Festival and hear my band!).
The 29th unfortunately wouldn’t work, as we’re bringing the peanut to her grandparents that day for a week long visit. The 11th would work for me though. Let’s pencil that one in. 🙂
Ok, the 11th it is!