In between canning, making the sauerkraut (an experiment!) and weeding, I allow myself a moment to give the monthly insight into the garden. July is the month we are looking back on.
The garden was at its best in early July. Everything looked great and was not overflowing yet.
But now everything is bursting over after all that rain, and we finally have some warm sunny days.
Traveling and gardening do not mix well. I was in Germany all last week, and I had to add those missed hours of attention to the garden this week.
The garden called me, and I happily responded. Jelle and Laurens stayed in Germany a bit longer. So I had a wonderful week of intense gardening knowing that the boys were having a good time.
It’s not every day that I get an early start in the garden. During the holidays, I do not set an alarm clock but let myself be guided. When I wake up I get up. That can easily be half past five. Bread and water go with me into the garden. Berries and bread also go well together. And I live on afternoon naps 😉
July 30 Leek seed, marigold leaf for tea and marjoram. (biking home after my early morning visit). It’s less than a five minutes bikeride, so I easily go several times a day. Keep on the lookout for the afternoon harvest!
While the marigold leaves are drying in the sun and I spend some time with the girls, I cycle back to harvest the beans.
I relax completely as I play, sort, preserve and marvel.
I planted the beans, that I got from Jelle’s dad, weeks ago with stick supports, and the Lord did the rest. I did not have to water the entire garden once because there was so much rain this entire year. Many complained about snails, but apparently snails do not like wood chips. I did not have any problems. PTL.
In the afternoon of July 30: Kilos of beans and chives, parsley and mint for the clothesline in the garden shed.
Thanksgiving for the crop takes on new meaning.
My heart overflows with happiness as beans slide into the basket.
13 meals have disappeared into the freezer. My math skills are severely underdeveloped, so it was a job to get them into our three-drawer freezer. I may just have to switch to canning. There is always room on the shelves after all.
What you don’t see:
The kitchen mess (as if a bomb had exploded) And that while, Jelle, my faithful dishwasher, was absent.
The cutting exercises led by friend Barend with a professional kitchen knife made me realize that I am quite a dangerous woman and better use other equipment. Therefor,
I knocked on the neighbor’s door in desperation to borrow his bean cutting machine.
In Croatia, many people have an outdoor kitchen. That is very handy for processing the entire harvest. A few planks and uprights and my outdoor kitchen is a fact. At Christmas, I asked for a two-burner as a Christmas present. That comes in handy now. This is what I mean by Garden-Play-Garden. Don’t I have fun!
Let’s take another look at the cabbages. This photo was taken on July 2.
Unbelievable what a growth spurt that cabbage had. That’s where the expression “growing like a cabbage” comes from! Look at that: And I don’t do anything about it except walk along a bit and do some weeding. (Oh yes, I sing and pray before I leave the garden. Does that help?)
This photo is from July 29th; I’m going to do a sauerkraut experiment. I had Maison Virida tell me how to do it.( https://www.maison-viridi.com/zelf-zuurkool-maken/)
I’m sending this garden fun into your mailbox and am going to practice cutting cabbage finely. Yes. With a knife and a board. Wish me luck!
P.s 1. Did you know that you can also dream “green”? Apparently if you spend so many hours in the green garden, you see green in the evening. Note: this is only my experience 😉
P.s. 2. How are you? I hope you can enjoy a few free weeks, close by or far away. What is your way to recharge?
