HOMEGROWN TOMATOES

 There is nothing better tasting than a homegrown tomato!
Sure, it has to be staked and watered, but for the lovers of
this wonderful fruit/veggie, its well worth it. This year I'm only
growing the grape tomato. I'm trying 2 different varities:
Napa Grape Hybrid from Burpee and Tami G Hybrid from
Bonnie Plants. About 65 days to harvest, they do need
at least 6 hrs. of sun. Here's a tip I learned from my Dad,
prune out the suckers below the first flower cluster. This
will encourage a strong main stem and allows the sun to get
to all of the plant.Most of the sugar produced goes to the
developing fruit. You will see larger fruits and a continuous
supply throughout the season. Dad also said to plant marigolds
around tomatoes to keep some of pests away. Now I don't
have the big green worms, but there is a pesky chipmunk
who loves my tomatoes. We are doing battle! I have watched
my tomatoes growing, anticipating that first bite. Finally picked
the first bowl (see the picture), and my husband and I will
be eating right from the vine. They are sweet and not to juicy.
Used for salads, kebabs, roasting, my favorite way to eat
them is to slice in half, and put a small mozarella ball in between
the halves and secure with a toothpick. Marinate them with an
italian dressing or balsamic glaze...delicious! I will be visiting
the Farmers Market for the larger tomatoes, so good on
hamburgers, in salsa, canning and oh, have you ever tried
fried-green tomatoes? However you like them tomatoes are
known for their antioxidant benefits, and are heart-healthy.
Keep eating those tomatoes!!!!

I LOVE HERBS

   Herbs, they are fresh, fragrant, and flavorful. I think they are the most useful plants in the garden. The pleasures of herbs are many. From the growing in the garden, to uses in the kitchen, crafting and decorating, herbs inspire me! They were my first major attempt at actually sitting down and make a small simple garden plan. I wanted to grow lavender. The smell is  intoxicating and so pretty to look at. Easy to grow, they love the sun, and don't require alot of water. They also survive my claylike soil. I always cut the spikes right after they first bloom. I like to make potpourris bags from the blossoms that grow above the foliage. The scent can last as long as a year. I also cut the lavender and bunch them together tying the spikes to hang from the beams in my kitchen. A simple rule about herbs, keep snipping and they will continue to grow. I now have about 8 shrubs of lavender in my  garden. Except for chives which I grow alongside the lavender, my growing of herbs I do in herb pots, or topiarys. The picture shows my rosemary topiary and 2 large clay herbal pots. I grow lots of basil, another favorite, dill, thyme, and lemon thyme, spearmint, lemon balm, oregano, and parsley. They are on my patio and close to the kitchen.  Only my rosemary do I winter over, because I love topiarys. About September, I clean out my pots. I replant new each spring. Herbs are a simple pleasure! They are fun, inexpensive and easy to grow. They will make you feel good!! I love herbs!

NEW RECEIPE

I did it! I actually prepared 2 favorite receipes, took pictures and posted for all to see. Look under Earthly Delights for the receipes, Tomato Caprese and Prosciutto Asparagus Spirals. You can also view the pictures in the gallery. Just touch any of the pictures to view all. These receipes are so good for appetizers. The Tomato Caprese can also serve as a salad for one or 2 people. Delicious especially when using fresh homegrown tomatoes and basil. The cheese is homemade from a store here locally. The wine is Robert Mondavi, Sauvignon Blanc and I served it with white mini crostini toasts. The basil is from my garden and the tomato came from the local farmer's market.  For the Spirals I used Pepperidge Farm Puff Pasrtry, I've also used the deli ham, because the prosciutto can be expensive. Serve right from the oven. So delicious warm. Try them both. ENJOY!!

MY LOVING HELPER, SAM

  We had a special birthday this month! Sam the Pug turned one. I love this dog. He makes me smile! I had to share 2 pictures of Sam. The puppy pose shows him at 6wks. and when my son Ben put him in my arms I instantly bonded. This pup could do no wrong! The CUTEST dog alive! He loves to be outside exploring the yard, sniffing, digging, trying to catch the chipmunks, and lying in the sun taking naps. He also likes to pick up sticks and small rocks, sometimes eating them, but we're working on that. One day he "worked" so hard he layed down , rolled on his back and fell instantly asleep. That's the sleeping pose above. Please enjoy some other photos of Sam in the Gallery.

LADIES OF THE GARDEN

    Standing dignified, surveying their garden areas, my Garden Ladies stand ready to delight. Each dressed differently, their names include: Tea Lady with the teapot for her hat and silverware dangling around her head; Blue lady with the blue beaded purse, straw hat and blue gloves, a blue plaid dress, and of course her quilt;  Garden Lady with her moss purse, a metal bird perched upon her claypot hat, and an apron with pockets for her gardens tools; Herb Lady done up in red checked splendor, hat, apron, red purse and gloves, looking over the many pots of herbs. I found one such lady many years ago at a garden show looking very plain..just a hat and shirt. I bought her, brought her home, and had my husband Ron "install" her in the yard. She needed a name and an outfit. Now I have five. View them all in the Garden Patch Photos. The girls are made of landscape timbers. But you can use a fence post, tree limbs for arms, and use pieces of tree branches for the eyes, nose and mouth. You can also paint the face on or use a paint bucket, painted and draw the features on the can. On one of the ladies, I used two tiny sticks for the lips, painted them red, and glued them on the face. So be creative! Dress them with old clothes, hats, beads, scarves, garden gloves and little "touches" to make them your own. You may have to cut the dress up the back to properly fit, then pin as needed. Of course I gave them all names and they wear a clay rounded disc with their name tied around their necks. My husband attached them to the fence for safety. They are left out during all kinds of weather, and we take them down end of summer. They are all so beautiful!!

EARTHLY DELIGHTS HAS ARRIVED!

   I am so excited, Earthly Delights is up and running! Under  Heather's guidance,(remember she is my blog mentor), two recipes are available. I was too excited to actually do the recipes, then take pictures, and upload. I just wanted to see them on the blog. I will prepare said dishes and post them above the recipes soon. The picture above shows my home-grown radishes. Aren't they beautiful? Tasty too. Took about 5wks of growing time, and when I saw the rounded little heads, I pulled them out.
   My recipes will include herbs, use fresh when possible, and be current to the season. I am growing grape tomatoes now..they are sweet, small and can be used in so many dishes. *Hint..watch for my puff pastry tomato tart appetizer idea!!

BEGINNINGS

 There is always a beginning.
    The seed is planted, you water it, provide sunshine..then you wait for that first tiny sprout. Its a joyous occasion, at least to gardners. I compare that little sprout to my blog. "Its out there" for all to see. Heather, my mentor, has guided me through every step..we're still " nuturing" !!!!!! I hope you are enjoying the 98 pictures of my garden areas, which can be viewed in the gallery. Above, is my red house,the front facing the west directly and the back to the east. This is a springtime view. The purple phlox are always beautiful. They last for only a few weeks, then start to fade but they are durable. They love the sun, endure  the cold, and can tolerate being walked on, snow shoveled, and dug up up by the dog! Recently, I started shaping a rather large one into a heart. I took my garden scissors and simply cut the shape. I will keep it watered even after the blooms fade and fall. It will stay green through the summer. I told Ron, my husband, this is my "heart " to you!!
   I live in the midwest, Ohio, and lucky to have 4 distinct seasons. But we are always ready to see  Spring come. I start preparing myself  in March by looking at pictures, magazines, garden books, and walking the yard. I can't wait to get outside and start the cleanup. I even visit all my favorite nurseries. Gardening always satisfies. It makes me happy!
   

SAM

This is Sam, my son Ben's Pug. He is joining me on my garden adventures. Just a year old this month, Sam is my companion in the backyard. You will be seeing alot of him as I share our Thymes together!

WELCOME

  Hi, my name is Diana and welcome to my garden. This blog is a work in process. I have lots of pictures to share. I try to create scenes and I like to decorate the yard, the garden, the screened in porch. So be patient with me..its coming, I'm learning, and I can't wait  for you to see it all. This picture shows me under the arbor in the southwest side of my house. Today is June 4th, so its the first bloom of my roses.
  This picture will be under the heading Seedlings which will be my profile. I consider that a beginning, like when you plant a seed. My posts you will see under the heading Daily Sprouts. You will see things  "growing" on my blog so revisit often.