In My San Diego Garden and Kitchen
The summer garden wanes. Tomato plants look dreadful but still yield a satisfying number of fruit. The dry shell bean plants are near removal as the pods rattle with the beans. Pepper plants, waiting for some heat, respond to the warmer August days. The first of the corn harvest is anticipated this week. Zucchini and cucumber seasons have ended.
The Emerite pole beans most days continue to produce amounts as seen in the thumbnail. Planted in late May, they show no signs of ceasing production though the daily yield is less. They will likely up their game as the six foot corn plants in front of them are removed.
Some days we’ve garnered one to two pounds from a planting only four feet wide. Plenty to share with friends and neighbors and I have more in the freezer than most years. I can’t say enough good things about Emerite grown from my saved seed.
Tomato plants are in their last weeks though the Black Cherry “explosion tomatoes” at six feet are just gearing up for a killer harvest. I don’t have many to photograph because they sit on the counter as snack food and disappear.
I try to imagine the harvest of Dwarf Rosella Purple we might have had with more sun in May, June and July. Cool days, no bees, blossoms dropped and I was glum. But I’m pleased to have these and the promise of more. I’ve saved seed from one of the tomatoes and am eyeing the one in the center of the plate for next year’s seed.
I roasted some of the smallest Stupice tomatoes in olive oil with thyme and rosemary. Near the end I added cannellini beans and some of them crisped up. Combining the mixture with fresh basil and Trader Joe’s Organic Lemon Torchietti Pasta was memorable. (The pasta is from Italy, and unfortunately a seasonal item).
With these garden veggies I made a small cauldron of Gazpacho (recipe from the original Moosewood Cookbook). Three neighbors received deliveries to their delight I’m told.
The first half of my Sugar Pearl corn crop should be ready this week so I’m protecting the patch. A few years ago I lost most of the ears just as they were approaching perfection.
Garden flowers shift to the warm fall colors. This was Sunday’s church entry bouquet. I think I’ll make a duplicate for my dining room table.
Check the What I’m Planting Now page as I plan and sow seeds for the cool season garden. Then head to Harvest Monday, hosted by Dave at Happy Acres blog and see what garden bloggers around the world harvested last week.
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