Asparagus - Patience Is a Virture

Growing asparagus is remarkably easy. But you must have some patience, as it takes three years before you can actually harvest the crop. But when its time time to harvest get ready because they grow quickly some can grow 10" overnight. Once you have an established bed you will have a good 10-15 years of  Asparagus growing year after year.  I can never get enough there are so many great recipes for Asparagus

Enjoy Life and Have Fun

Step one :

Buy some one year crowns this cuts a year of the harvest time , I purchased mine from walker plants online they have a few different varieties. http://www.walkerplants.com/products/Asparagus-Early-Season/

Step Two

Once you get the plants a couple hours before you plant the crowns soak the roots in water. After a few hours of soaking you can now plant.

Step Three

Dig a trench about 6 - 8 inches deep then spread the crowns into the trench. Plant the crowns about 15" apart and rows about 36" apart. Back fill the hole about 3 inches , once the you start to see growth back fill the rest of the trench.

Step Four

Let it grow and die out each winter and cut back in spring , until the third year at this time you can begin to harvest. But only for the first three weeks , 4 year you can extend to 4 weeks, 5 year you should be able to harvest for 8 weeks.

Jack In The Bean Stock

I have never grown Beans before so I didn't know what to expect. This year  I choose another Heirloom variety  a Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean also known as "Old Homestead" . They are stringless and rich in flavor. Probably the most popular pole bean grown. But I was amazed at what these beans produced. I planted 10 seeds this year and boy was I surprised they just keep coming . I strongly recommend trying a vertical method if you are tight on space. More on Vertical Gardening to come.

07/15/13

08/11/13

Italian Pesto Pasta Salad

The best thing about starting a garden is waiting  for the harvest  and a using that harvest to make outstanding meals. It hasn't been much of a harvest this year so far with all the wet weather. One thing I do have an abundance of is Basil. With that my wife made a delicious Italian Pesto Pasta Dish a recipe she got from Better Homes & Gardens in August 2013. and with the three different kinds of Basil it was outstanding.  Thanks Honey your the BEST

Italian Pesto Pasta Salad

8 oz of Bow Tie Pasta 

7 oz of Fresh Pesto ( Garden Fresh Basil) Yummmmm

1/4  Cup red wine vinegar 

1/2 tsp . Kosher Salt 

2 - 15 oz cans cannellini beans rinsed and drained 

1/2 - 5 oz. package of baby arugula 

2 oz. Parmigiano - Reggiano cheese, shaved

1/4 cup pine nuts , roasted 

Cook pasta according to directions and rinse and drain under cold water set aside, In a large bowl stir together pesto , vinegar , and salt. Add beans, cooked pasta , arugula, half of the cheese , and half the pine nuts. Toss well. Serve at once or cover and chill for up to 6 hours. Top with remaining cheese and pine nuts before serving

Conversation on Success

Two men having a conversation:

Man # 1 Says - You have made such a success of yourself, you have many houses all over the world and started many business's  and enough money to buy what ever you want, when ever you want. Congratulations on such a successful career and everything you have accomplished.

Man #2  Says - You have made such a success  of yourself you have raised four wonderful kids and and put all of them through college . Congratulations on your success and all you have accomplished.

How do you measure success ? Either way it doesn't matter as long as you are Having fun and Enjoying the way you do it.

My Blog was to be mostly  about gardening  and how I want to spread my passion for it.  I also want  to write about how life can be enjoyed one day at time.  No matter what we do in life it will have its highs and lows. So enjoy each day the best way you know how.

Enjoy Life and Have Fun

Garlic Thyme

Well its my favorite time of the year after months of waiting I can finally start to use my Garlic. This is the second year I  have grown garlic. And its probably the easiest thing to grow. First buy some garlic preferably organic. I purchased mine from Filaree Garlic Farm at www.filareefarm.com they have a wealth of information on the subject and many varieties of Garlic for sale. You only need to buy it once. You can use it over and over each year just save the largest bulbs and replant again in October.  If your in the northern climate the Hardneck Variety do very well in harsh winters. That's  all there is to having fresh garlic year after year. Buy, Plant, Eat and save some for next years crop.

As Always Enjoy Life and Have Fun.

Lee Lee and his Carrot

Ahhhh !!!! The joy of Gardening it doesn't get any better then this. Leo decided he wanted to pick some carrots today. A little early but it was FUN!!!!