Micro Farm August Update!
What an amazing summer it has been here on the micro farm!
The Holly hocks were amazing! The holly hocks are so old fashioned and romantic . . . I could just swoon at the thought of my grandma having them on the farm–bringing grandpa coffee and a shot of whiskey for breakfast! Add a jalapeño chaser and that’s my kind of guy! Holly hocks are a perennial flower with very long lasting flowers–they are great intermingled in with the raspberries.
Why holly hocks and raspberries?
I like a constant flow of flowers–in this mini garden the raspberries grow first, flower and then bear fruit. At the end of this growing cycle the holly hocks begin to bloom. It’s a perfect flow.
Growing Lemons in Illinois!
I’m pretty excited about this! When I lived in California . . . I had the most amazing micro farm. When we moved–I cried a river over leaving my orchard of peaches, avocados, pears, lemon trees and lime trees. I may cry now just at the thought of it! Everywhere I have EVER lived I planted something–and some times I go back and look for the plants or the trees. I know–how sentimental can one old gal be?
I digress. (one thing about growing older is I lose myself in wonderful memories.) When we left California I brought back one lime tree and one lemon tree. They survived for a few years but I had babies to tend to (real humans not dogs or trees!) Fast forward 13 years and I still miss those trees so . . . I bought a mini lemon tree. I had my doubts if it would ever bloom, not because of my botanical ability but our kitten Clare also liked the lemon tree and it was just the size for a kitten to climb. It was part adorable to see a mini cat on a mini tree but it came at a cost. I didn’t give up. Clare left me with a mere stick in dirt. I kept watering the stick. Then one day a leaf sprout, then another. Yeah! Now I have a few lemons a year. It is worth it just for the fragrance of the lemon blossoms. Sweet and intoxicating. (FYI: I don’t let Clare near the lemon tree!)
Organic Strawberries
It started with just one 4 x 4 spot for strawberries–a humble and containable space. Then they spread. I transplanted them to the front yard as ground cover. Edible ground cover! How cool is that? And if I mow over them . . . strawberries grow right back. I’m a genius! Now I have strawberries almost everywhere–I don’t mind at all. I love being able to have a steady supply to eat, make jam and feed a few to the turtles. Strawberries are also pretty low maintenance and can live in containers–but I think they are happier in the ground eventually.
Mojito Monday or Meatless Monday–your choice!
I grow mint. I use mint a lot. Mint tea. Mint lemonade. Mojito Mondays. Mint in salads. Mint infused rice. I grow chocolate mint, Iranian mint, spearmint, peppermint and lemon mint. Mint is good! Mojito’s are good. In my next life I want to be a mixologist.
Chives
So, so yummy! Chives are one of the very first things to show up in my garden! I add them to spaghetti sauce, stir fry, put the chive blossoms in water for a beautiful edible arrangement, add them to mashed potatoes and every soup I make.
You may not know this about me but my favorite colors are purple and green–chives have both and in the most perfect shades. What’s not to love about chives?
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Be Blessed.
Do widzenia.
Vìso gero!