We planted an artichoke plant a couple of years ago, but it hadn’t grown any fruit. A professional gardener had told me it was an ornamental plant, so it was with complete surprise when I saw it had grown an artichoke on it! We cut it, and had it for dinner. I also saw some smaller ones below it, and was hoping to get a second crop.
To cook the artichoke, we boiled it in water for 25 minutes. The edible parts are at the bottom part of the leaves: the meaty part of the leaf where it attaches to the heart. Then after you have eaten that, the heart of the artichoke is left. We dipped the leaves and heart into melted butter, then ate them. You can also dip them in mayonnaise, ranch dressing, or anything your heart desires.
Boy! What a surprise when I cut it, the smaller ones below it, shot up fast and were quickly usable for another crop!
Other things needing to happen in the garden were thinning the carrots and beets so they have room to fill out. Here is a before and after thinning picture of the carrots.
After thinning
MORE BLUEBERRIES
We already had four blueberry plants, but when finding some plants for sale at the store, we just couldn’t resist getting two more. Finding a place to plant them was the difficult part, but we finally settled opposite from the vegetable garden.
First, we turned the soil over, inverting it. Then we centered two holes in it, digging about twice as big as the soil in the blueberry pots. Putting the soil level even, we put the plants in the holes, and filled in around them. I put landscape fabric over the area to prevent weeds. Last, I put same landscape fabric pins in, to keep it down. Soon, I will get some bark chips, and cover it up with that. The best fertilizer to use with blueberries is rhododendron fertilizer, as blueberries need an acidic soil, just like rhododendrons. Coffee grounds make a great addition for that reason too.
Beginnings of an Herb Garden
I had taken out the rose in the half whiskey barrel tub as it was diseased, and the bulbs in it were too crowded. So as I was wanting an herb garden, I cut down the leaves of the Tulips and Daffodils. I have a couple chive plants to start, but have not taken out the bulbs yet, as I want to give them time to dry up. Then I will dig them out, and plant them elsewhere in the yard. I will at that time, move the barrel into a different place in the yard, opening up that space, as it was in the way.
Spinning it Up.
I’ve been having some fun with my Ashford Traditional spinning wheel. I have spun up two bobbins of some blueish sparkly yarn, and am in the process of plying them back on each other to make a two ply yarn.
Wildlife in our Yard
Let’s not forget the wildlife in our yard. We had to take down the feeders for two reasons. There was a salmonella warning that birds were dying from the disease passed to each other through feeders, also, we had a rat come into our yard. It was helping itself to the peanuts, corn cobs for the squirrels, and bird food we had out for the birds. Our neighbor caught the rat in a trap, but now it is recommended also not to feed them in this time as there is enough natural abundance for them.
We have also had more rabbits come to our yard. I’m a little nervous about that, as they are so cute, but I don’t want an over abundance of them helping themselves to our vegetables.
Bible Wisdom
I will sign out with some words of wisdom from 1st Corinthians chapter 3 starting at verse 5.
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God gives the increase.
Let’s remember that, and be thankful for what God gives us. Amen
Grandma's Garden 