My Edible Garden

I've been gardening for most of my life and have been a devoted fan of organic gardening the whole time. It just makes so much more sense to work in harmony with Mother Nature than to fight her. Besides which it is better for the planet and better for our bodies. Here you can see what I'm planting and harvesting, with gardening hints and resources thrown in for good measure.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Harvest Monday

Northern Arizona Melon?
Welcome to Harvest Monday, a great blog hop sponsored by Daphne's Dandelions. It's great fun to visit with gardeners from around the world.

The biggest news this week is the giant muskmelon from the greenhouse bed. It weighed 11 pounds! Now I'm pretty sure I planted Hale's Best Jumbo and the other large melons are round like Hale's. The only thing I can think is either some seeds of Northern Arizona Melon, which I grew years ago and is the only football shaped melon I've grown, got mixed in or this is something out of the compost.


It's been a few years since I've grown Northern AZ so I don't really remember what they should look like inside or out. As you can see a slice of this melon almost fills my dinner plate, the flesh was sweet and delicious, and tend all the way to the skin. It has a flavor resembling cantaloupe but not quite the same. Of course I saved all the seeds ;=)


green chili




Other harvests included green chilis. I'm not positive, because my plastic labels with permanent marker all faded completely out, but I think these might be New Mexico Joe E Parker.








Baby Blue Hubbard
The sole Baby Blue Hubbard plant in the back garden only set one fruit and then looked like it was dying. Possibly disease, possibly from lack of water. The stem on this one looked like it was drying out so I went ahead and pulled and cooked it. It really needed to go longer, a bit watery and not as sweet as I think it will get later towards fall. But a good lesson, since I have four more plants out front. I will be patient and wait.




eggs


There were only about a dozen eggs all told from the hens this week, but one day we got three, so I think the molty one might be getting back to laying again.







Market Stand

My oldest grand daughter, Miracle, spent the weekend with me. She brought her violin to the farmer's market and played for folks. She even got a $2 tip.

Here on the table, from left to right is more of the weeks harvest;, Tromboncinno squash ( I had to climb on the roof to get one of them!), Snow White, Princepe Borghese and Red Currant tomatoes, Mountain Rose potatoes, eggplants, Rond de Nice squash. In the back are some yellow Scallopinni, white patty pan, yellow zuchinni, and some odd squash that I think must be either something out of the compost or something that came in with the yellow zuchinni seed. They look a bit like a cross between zuchinni and yellow crookneck. They taste fine tho.

In the red crate are herb plants, sorrel, basil, lavender, rosemary.
Posted by Mary Hysong at 3:30 AM
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20 comments:

  1. Jenny RottingerJuly 30, 2012 at 6:11 AM

    Awesome melon!

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  2. Adventures in AgriburbiaJuly 30, 2012 at 8:33 AM

    That blue Hubbard looks great. I was considering growing those but worry they won't survive the SVB's.

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  3. Jo@awholeplotofloveJuly 30, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    Mountain Rose potatoes sound fabulous. What a lovely name.

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  4. nutmeg gardenerJuly 30, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    That melon looks amazing! And I bet it tastes even better than it looks! I'll be happy to successfully grow any melon, no matter the size.

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  5. Norma ChangJuly 30, 2012 at 4:20 PM

    I am growing blue hubbard for the first time. I have a huge squash plant growing in my compost pile, waiting for some sign of fruit so I can decide whether to get rid of it or keep it. Nice selection of produce at your market stand.

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    Replies
    1. Mary HysongAugust 3, 2012 at 8:25 AM

      thanks Norma; these are baby hubbards and don't get huge like the regular ones. Also the plant is more a bush size

      Delete
  6. SusanJuly 30, 2012 at 4:49 PM

    Wonderful harvest! I love the blue hubbard!

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  7. Cozy Thyme CottageJuly 30, 2012 at 7:25 PM

    That sure is an interesting looking melon! I have never tried growing melons. Nancy

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  8. kitsapFGJuly 30, 2012 at 9:13 PM

    Fun melon suprise and it looks tasty! I would have been attracted to your market table by the bonus of some violin playing - good market strategy and I bet the company was much appreciated.

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  9. MarciaJuly 31, 2012 at 7:32 AM

    You are growing some things I've never seen before. Must be fun to share surplus at at Farmers market.

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    1. Mary HysongAugust 3, 2012 at 8:25 AM

      I love growing stuff most people don't. Why grow plain old zucchini when you could have Tromboncinno!

      Delete
  10. David VeltenJuly 31, 2012 at 8:05 AM

    Beautiful melon, who cares what it is called. Looking at the squash, I would not have guessed blue Hubbard. Around here, they get quite large and the farm stands break them up into pieces to sell. And you are right, the flesh is quite dry. Hopefully it tasted OK.

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    1. Mary HysongAugust 3, 2012 at 8:26 AM

      It tasted OK, just not quite 'done' or sweet enough. These are Baby Blue Hubbard and are only about 1-2 pounds on a bushy plant instead of the monster Hubbards

      Delete
  11. CristyJuly 31, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    I wish I could have gone to your farmer's market. I would have bought a Tromboncinno squash. I wanted to try them this year. Unfortunately, the plant didn't cooperate with me.

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  12. CharmcitybalconygardenJuly 31, 2012 at 7:14 PM

    Wow, what does that Tromboncinno squash taste like. They look awesome! It's great that your grand-daughter was able to entertain your customers:)

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  13. garden maintenance tipsAugust 1, 2012 at 5:20 AM

    Green chilli is good. I can realize your hard work from your photo. my wishes to your grand daughter.

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  14. ~TastyTravels~August 1, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    Excellent harvest!! Mmmm... the melon looks delicious! Our short summers make melon growing very challenging. I've been unsuccessful thus far but that never stops me from trying! =0)

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    Replies
    1. Mary HysongAugust 3, 2012 at 8:27 AM

      Have you tried a plastic tunnel? I understand that works in cooler climates.

      Delete
  15. Malay-Kadazan girlAugust 2, 2012 at 10:09 AM

    HUGE MELON! Looks very attractive when you cut it like that like a flower shape.

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