produce

After writing my last post about the garden, we were given an idea by my father in law. He said that we need more nitrogen in our soil. That's why the leaves aren't very green. So, we went over to Beaver Bark (I love that place). I asked for assistance in finding the proper fertilizer and told her what was going on. She recommended a fertilizer blend with a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus and something else, but also added that having a higher amount of phosphorus would help with actual production of the vegetables. She also explained that nitrogen leaches out quickly from the soil (I had read that online too) and it will give you lots of leaves, but not necessarily more fruit. So we got some and I put the stinky stuff around all the plants. I've been watching impatiently, like watching and waiting for a pot of water to boil. Today I took a peek and I can definitely tell that the peppers are growing and getting bigger. This really excites me. There also looks to be a possible flower on the pumpkin plant. I don't want to get too excited yet, but that is the most I have seen the pumpkins do since we planted them. Anyway, I am really excited and hoping that we will still be able to get more food out of the garden before the growing season is over. It's really fun to learn knew things.

I forgot to mention, that last year my step-mom, Brandi brought us some raspberry starts and planted them along our fence on the north side of the yard. They have grown very nicely this year. No fruit yet, but they look promising. On the other hand, my step-dad, Dale gave us some beautiful strawberry starts this year. I crammed them in to a spot too close together that didn't get enough water and I have successfully managed to kill them. Darn it. {Sigh}...maybe next year we will have strawberries.

I also think that next year when we plant, I want to try using more starts rather than seeds and I want to plant much more! Even if what we planted was producing to it's full potential, I still don't think it would give us the amount of produce that I would like to use. It's a learning process though, right?!

On Monday I will be picking up a 48 lb box of peaches that I ordered. My neighbor and I are going to either a) can them, b) make jam with them, or c) do some of both. I made spiced peach jam last year and really enjoy that. Then on the weekend we are going over to Yakima with my in-laws to see about picking up some more produce. Maybe some fresh corn and who knows what else.

That reminds me. Yesterday I had my teeth cleaned over in Richland. My appointment was so quick (yes I am patting myself on the back for good oral hygiene) and I had a good amount of time before my 2nd appointment, so I stopped at the farmer's market. I have never been to one and have been wanting to go for a while. It was so fun. I felt so hip. I did find myself wishing that the prices were a little bit lower, but I suppose it's worth it for the quality...and for the experience. If only I had been prepared with my reusable shopping bags I would have definitely felt better about my planet saving rendezvous. <---- (thank goodness for spell check!)