Though I love the rhythm and sound of it, Cucumber News doesn’t seem quite right. I have a hard time growing cucumbers here. I think I’ll try out some different plants, veggies, and berries over time and see if I can find a custom fit.
Two days ago, I rolled out the black plastic to help the raised beds in the garden warm. One day ago, I woke up to this:
I started some seeds a few weeks ago, started some more a couple of weeks ago, started some more a week ago, and started some more today.
At Mike’s request, I’ll be delving into the horror genre of gardening: brussels sprouts. Normally, I’m happy to grow—or attempt to grow—veggies Mike wants to try, but I’m not so enthusiastic about these. I anticipate, “Just try them; they’re good!” which is precisely what I ask of young picky eaters. It’s okay to not like something, but we should be willing to try.
But I’m not a young picky eater. I’m an older picky eater, and it wasn’t all that long ago that I did try fresh “yummy” brussels sprouts, and I did not like them—beyond all doubts, I did not like those brussels sprouts! It’s bad enough I’ll probably have to smell them cooking. I might be secretly hoping a moose will step on the two plants I’ve agreed to grow.
On the sunnier side of the 2012 gardening adventure, I am trying purple basil this year. It’s really purple!
I’m also trying lettuce-leaf basil and two varieties of regular old sweet basil.
Ellen’s amaryllis is having another go.
And thanks to Ellen again, I planted nasturtiums in the boots.
The boots were all picked up at different times during Community Cleanup in the spring, though they are two matched pairs. One pair was picked up over two different years in two different places. I’m guessing they were tossed out the window of a moving car.
After June 1, they will join the wildflowers outside in the garden beds. They’re not trash: they’re flower pots and lawn ornaments.
Categories: Gardening
LOL I like the boots. Send your Brussell Sprouts to TN, I’ll eat them 😉 We have our own plant of them too. I don’t know how they’re doing, hubbs takes care of the plants. Our Irises are just peaking out but only one per tub and there were 5 in each! I think he said some in the flower bed up front were coming out too but I can’t tell.
What a gorgeous garden–even if it *is* covered in snow!
I’m with you on the brussel sprouts! (I found the brussel part both with and without the S…interesting.)
Regarding the amaryllis–our original bulb just had it’s second baby bulb. We’re still enjoying ours after a good many years.
I love irises. There’s a gorgeous field of them along the highway to Anchorage. I’d love to have some here, but it may be too dry.
@Shelly – was your source for the s-less “brussel sprouts” a reputable one? I think that’s a common spelling–and the one I prefer–but I’ve been under the impression it’s technically incorrect.
As far as I’m concerned that superfluous s on the end of “brussel” is another reason to not like brussels sprouts. Who needs that s?
Next year, I think I’ll transplant the amaryllis into a bigger pot. I’d love for it to have a baby bulb. Yes, I’m actually thinking a larger home might encourage that. What do I know? Maybe I’ll even put a little crib next to the plant to, as they say, plant the seed.
Jen,
Grill or roast those brussel sprouts. I grew up eating them steamed, and they got old real fast. But grilled/roasted, they caramelize (like onions do!) and they’re great!
Russel sprouts = RosenkÃ¥l = “Rose Cabbage”.
With the last name they sounds more tasty 😉
It is a Norwegian must eat to wild meat – ehe – hunting game meat. (traditional festive dinners)(Reindeer, deer, moose).
And the plant it has the best content of some healthy stuff we actually need! -* -Wikipedia and google translate helped me eith this: “Brassica oleracea contain large amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid and dietary fiber. In addition, some believe that it protects against colon cancer because it contains sinigrin.” – * –
But, alas, they are often bitter in taste. So heat them up and through away the first water, and boil them up again. But then we loose some vitamins! So better do as Becky says: grill or roast and have butter on them! Thats better.
I like to eat them, due to the health issue, but the taste is corny sometimes. I will try out grilling different vegetables this summer, and “Rose Cabbage” is on the list 😉 (Tell Mike he got my vote on this, please!)
;-D and love your cucumber news!
PS cucumber must have green house or very warm beds in Norway! They are difficult.
Jen, I went back and checked. None of the sources without the S for brussels sprouts were reputable. Darn. I prefer the misspell, myself.
Traitors: BeckyG and Harriet!!!
And so it begins. See? Just as I predicted.
🙂
I will (begrudgingly) admit to loving grilled (and roasted) veggies, and the onions are as you say, Becky. Yum! If rose cabbages (way-yonder better name) can be similar, well, that’s a little tempting. Dag nabbit. I’m not sure I believe you, though.
The nutrition factor, however, does not entice me at all. What I miss in rose cabbages, I’ll make up for in broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, chard, spinach, lettuce, beets, peas, carrots, potatoes, onions, rhubarb, beans, zucchini, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc. I’ve got yummy nutrition coming out my ears, so I have no problem skipping icky nutrition.
Coming out my ears = to have much of something
Is there a similar silly saying in Norwegian?
Interesting that they’re traditionally eaten with game in Norway. I’ll let our moose-eating crowd know. (I am not one of them.)
Mike is smiling at the support. He’s too smart to actually say anything just now.
Eating with my ears in the gravy = eating and loving the food. Silly indeed! I usually eat very little gravy, and very little meat, at that.
Yes, there are helaty vegetables to alternate ( use as alternatives) when picky and missish ( from Pride and Prejudice go missish on me about mr Darcy) about food. Hahaha we also call it to be a spoild princesses, not to want to eat their food!
Mike, I will eat brussel sprouts with you, even cook them here and bring them up so you don’t have to smell them cooking, Jen!
Sounds like a good plan to me, Joanie! Mike, too. I’ll have another go at growing them this year. Last year, as you know, wasn’t a great garden year. They didn’t have a chance to mature.