Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Fall Treats

red spider lilies--first time (in 21 years) appearance, I think
My first time growing beans, "Contender" variety
I'm so grateful for Austin's recent much cooler temperatures. Being able to sleep with the bedroom window slightly open and still needing a blanket is fabulous! But, still I must remind myself to water the oregano and plumbago we relocated last weekend because they're now in full sun. And I continue to give all my seeds and seedlings a decent spritz once or twice a day: so far it's paid off.
Yep, I've diligently watered these "Early Wonder" beet seedlings, but I really need to thin them now.
Seeded these carrots in August but had to water them 2-3 times a day for quite awhile. They look okay so far.
Have also been diligent about watering these leaf lettuce seedlings.
Cauliflower in front of "Royal Burgundy" green beans. 

Seeded this kale in August, and it's really grown fast! Need to eat some.

7 comments:

TexasDeb said...

Kudos! Your early bird is certainly getting the vegetable worm. (was that small crash the noise of a metaphor imploding?)

I keep reading beet leaves are edible - maybe your thinned seedlings will result in an exotic gourmet salad.

With these cooler temperatures even my own slothful self is getting motivated to get cool weather seeds started (though that will require weeding which so far has provided ample deterrent).

Iris said...

Deb--Yes! Beet leaves are absolutely edible and very nutritious. I do plan to eat the thinned beet seedlings. I wish I could be one of those people who consider weeding a form of meditation. It's just a chore to me. What cool weather seeds are you planning to start?

Cat said...

21 years! Well let's give them a warm welcome back!

I have been smitten with beets ever since I had them roasted in a salad with goat cheese in Santa Fe last March. I look forward to watching their progress through the fall.

Iris said...

The Whimsical Garden-- Baby beets are just incredible. So I seeded tons of them! And yes, roasted is my favorite method, too.

LindaCTG said...

I'm so impressed how you got all that started in the heat! I'll just be getting around to planting seeds next weekend. Today I did move around some plants. The ground is bone dry, so it's good to remind people that even though it's cool, we gotta keep that water going.

Kathleen Scott said...

Wow! I remember your bare ground picture last summer (it feels so gooood to last summer and know we'll have cooler temps now for months).

We learned a great green bean treatment from a farmer's market vendor--looks awful but tastes great. Heat a little oil in a wok (I use peanut oil) and stir fry beans until they're blackening and nearly done, then add a mixture of 1-2 tbsp soy sauce (we use low sodium) and 1 tsp sugar and pinch of red pepper flakes and stir fry until done.

Iris said...

Linda--Thanks! I'm happy all that hose-dragging seems to have paid off. Yep--still have to water all the seedlings once a day.

Kathleen--I'm thrilled with our cooler temps! Thanks for sharing the bean recipe--sounds great and I look forward to trying it.