The short answer is…slowly! It’s been about 5 weeks since we planted carrots, parsnips, leeks, beets, peas and beans from seed. As of today, the carrot tops are just starting to look more leafy than grassy. The biggest beet tops are maybe 5 cm tall. Only 4 of the 9 scarlet runner bean seeds sprouted (most likely due to the cool and rainy weather we’ve had for almost all of June). But the good news is that all 5 tomato plants have survived and are loaded with blossoms, the pepper plant has a few miniscule peppers on it, the cabbage is starting to form a tiny head at the center and the zucchini plants are sprouting a few new leaves. One of the new raspberry plants is in tough shape but the other seven are doing well and it looks like we’ll even get a couple of handfuls of berries this summer.
I took advantage of a break in the rain today to thin the apples.
Assuming the weather cooperates this weekend, I think I’ll conscript the GeoKids’ to help weed all the raised beds (and flower beds).
In terms of harvesting anything, so far it’s just herbs and rhubarb. Since Mr. GeoK doesn’t really like rhubarb, I disguised it!
Italian Soda Syrup:
1 c sugar
2 1/2 cups fruit (I coarsely chopped the rhubarb and topped it off with some frozen raspberries from last year’s harvest)
1/2 cup water
Bring ingredients to a full boil, stirring occasionally. Cool completely and then strain using a fine-meshed sieve. Add a couple tbsp to a tall glass of sparkling water. Enjoy!
What about you…did you plant a vegetable garden this year? And if you did, how is it growing?