What smells more wonderful than lilacs?

In my world, the answer is honeysuckle blossoms with lily-of-the-valley running in close second place.  The lilac blossoms, which I tucked into last week's salads, are almost done.  The fresh blooms lasted a very quick week.  We enjoyed every single breath of loveliness they provided, taking a good deep whiff every time we passed the huge lilac bush on the way to the Greenhouses and Salad Garden, although we can smell both from most places near our house.

Now the honeysuckle bush is abloom and abuzz with several varieties of bees too.  I absolutely love the smell, it’s so sweet.  Thus the name I suppose.

I am so glad the extreme heat and humidity have subsided so we can get back to business here. The parsley, cilantro and celery have all gone to seed from the heat.  No worries, we’ve started more.  We’ve been seeding and transplanting outside every single day.  We got the outside wash station back into commission for the season.  It’s so nice to be washing the veggies outside now.  The kitchen was getting a little messy to say the least. 

With everything going full tilt these weeks, I can tell you I don’t remember my head hitting my pillow each night when I turn off the light. 

A couple of things you may not know:

1.      Iris roots should be exposed, as in not covered with soil, in order for them to bloom. 

2.     When you plant your tomatoes, lay them on their side in their plant hole, cover the roots and stems with lots of soil up to about the third set of true leaves (the first ones probably have fallen off by now anyway).  This will encourage the stems to form new roots making your tomato plant strong.  Don’t worry, the plant will rise up toward the sun and sky in a day or so.  Trust me on this one.  And remember to prune your indeterminate plants to ensure healthier plants for a better tomato harvest. 

Oh, can’t you barely wait until the tomatoes are ready to eat.  Well, we’ll be putting them into the ground this weekend, along with the sweet peppers and eggplant.  The plants are outside now waiting patiently on pallets and tables right by their future home – The Nightshade Garden.    

I was going to take a break from sprout production until we were able to get all plants into the ground, maybe a couple of weeks, but Heather sobbed so bitterly, I decided to keep them going.  She didn’t really sob, that’s an exaggeration, she just pouted a bit. 

Meanwhile, we’re not going hungry at all.  

Herbs:  Chives with flowers, Citrus Thyme, Lemon Balm, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Tarragon, Thyme  $2  bunch

Kale  $3 bag

Pea Shoots  $2 bag

Red Orach (spinach more nutritious than spinach) $3 bag

Salad Greens (washed and table-ready)  $5 bag

Sorrel  $2 bag  the little bugs have found it so it has holes, but if you’re looking to use it for soup, it’s great

Granola, with fruit  $8  500mL jar

Granola, with nuts and fruit  $10  500mL jar

Plants

Please look under the "Prices" tab to see what plants you can buy for your garden - now is the time we've been waiting for.

Sprouts:  $3 bag

Ancient Eastern Blend (fenugreek, lentils, kamut & adzuki) 

Crunchy Bean Mix   (peas, lentils and garbanzos)  

Sandwich Booster (clover, alfalfa, radish and mustard) 

Spring Salad Mix  (broccoli, radish, alfalfa & clover)

If you'd like to purchase any of the above items, I'd be happy to provide them if available after our regular customers have ordered.  Perhaps you might like to be added to our Weekly Delivery List.  I send my email out every Wednesday, collect orders Thursdays and deliver Fridays (or another day convenient to us and you if you're not too close to home).  See Contact information and email or call me.  Thanks.

And remember you can pick up much of our deliciousness at Heather's Healthy Harvest in Kemptville.  

Until next post, have a great every day.  

Jo