Edible Flora

Edible Flowers add flavor and interest to dishes and drinks.For maximum flavor add basil, cilantro or nasturtium flowers. Basil and Cilantro flowers taste similar the herb while Nasturtiums have a zesty peppery flavor that's a great addition to salads or tacos. Onion, Chive and Garlic flowers add gentler onion-flavor.

If you're making a desert try Dianthus, Lavender or Viola. Add the essence of lavender to cookies, teas and drinks then garnish with a piece of lavender. Use edible flowers to decorate cakes with - gently press primrose or viola flowers into the frosting of cakes for instant embellishment.

If you like lighter flavors try the cucumber-like flavor of borage flowers or the calming herbal flavor of chamomile flowers.

If possible harvest flowers in early morning. Put them stem-down in a bowl of water in the fridge until use. When you're ready to use them gently rinse and they're ready for use. Organically grown flowers work best but conventionally grown flowers will work too as long as they have been rinsed well.

Have You Planted a Tomato Yet?

If you haven't planted a tomato yet there is still time. However, because it is getting late in the season try a short-season tomato. For example 'Willamette' (60 days), 'Stupice' (55 days), or 'Roma' (62 days).

For cherry-type tomatoes 'Sungold' is sweet as candy and takes only 60 days. I was impressed by 'Juilet' which produces tons of oblong red tomatoes in 60 days that were perfect for salads and chunky salsa.

Heirloom-type tomatoes are meaty, very large and come in a variety of colors. They generally take much longer to mature, averaging around 75 to 90 days depending on the variety. It is best that they are planted early as Oregon summers can be unpredictable. If you're feeling courageous and have the space, why not? You may get an amazing delicious surprise!

Plant tomatoes in full sun. At planting it's best to put some granular fertilizer in the hole, then mix it around so it's not directly touching the roots. Lime should also be added to the hole. For both fertilizer and lime always follow package instructions. Fertilizer feeds plants and lime encourages healthy fruit development.

For best results I fertilize with liquid food every two or so weeks. Lime again about a month after flowers appear.

Tomatoes are a very satisfying crop, they tend to be high yielding from little input. Tomatoes are versatile and can be used in a vast array of dishes. So plant one today, in the heat of summer when you have an outrageous barbecue and you can put a fresh thick slice of tomato on your burger you will thank yourself.


Notes - the days mentioned above are days to maturity or days till you get fruit, and are for plants that have been transplanted as starts.

Peas - A Love Story

Peas are the potato chip of the natural world - light, crunchy and irresistible you can not eat just one. Those of you who hate peas I understand - canned and frozen are at best tolerable however when you crunch into your own homegrown (and possibly organic) peas you will see the light and know what you have been missing.
I had another harvest of peas today and I couldn't help but nibble here and there. I also had some for dinner and only reaffirmed my love for fresh homegrown peas!