How My Garden Grows

After posting this morning that I had nothing to post about, I went out to my garden and realized that I had a lot to be excited about. This is the first year that my garden has taken off. We can't wait to try some of the produce that we've grown.
I never realized how complex planting pumpkins could be. After reading about all of the things first time gardeners do wrong, I have determined that I have just not been observant enough. I had no idea that there were male and female flowers on a pumpkin plant and that usually you have to pollinate the female yourself to ensure that your pumpkin will grow. Who knew? Since we only have two small female flowers at the moment, I am not risking it. We will have a pumpkin this year no matter what. Look how cute the little bump behind the female flower is. A little baby pumpkin.
Our chickens are laying 3-4 eggs a day. One of our chickens is a super layer and has laid as many as 3 in a day by herself! So, we're averaging about 21 eggs a week! Who needs that many eggs? I am giving a lot of eggs away and making a lot of German pancakes and cookies. Gotta use up those eggs! It is really fun for Hayden to go outside every morning to see how many eggs we have. He gathers the eggs, and feeds and waters the chickens. I don't have to do anything for the chickens anymore! Easiest pets ever!

We have crookneck squash! We have at least 5 growing and there are about 5 more female flowers (just like the pumpkins) waiting to open. They are so cute, if you can think of mini-produce that way. I think they are adorable. And I planted them!

The green beans will be ready to pick this week! Yummy! Our corn is growing so well. There are at least 10 ears growing at the moment. I planted a hybrid seed that is called triple sweet corn. Doesn't that sound so tasty? I can't wait to try it!


































I also tried three times this year to make fruit leather and after three failed attempts, I now know the perfect way to make them! We made strawberry and they didn't dry enough and I just gave up. Maya, of course, had to help with every step. It made me realize that this is how she's going to be when the baby comes. Very "helpful". I'm going to have to be patient with this one. Anyway, the best way to make fruit leather that I will try next year!:

• Blend any type of fruit (apricot, peaches, strawberries, etc.) to a pulp. I used my mini-food processor.
• Add 2 TBS. honey and 1 TBS. lemon juice
• Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and pour out the contents of the blender. (It will probably take two cookie sheets) Spread out the mixture to be about 1/4 inch thickness.
• Bake in the oven at 250 degrees for 4-6 hours. You can check to see if they're done by touching your finger to the middle of the fruit. It is done when your finger no longer leaves an imprint
• Let it cool and then cut the parchment into serving sizes and roll them up.

I won't tell you all of the mistakes I made, but it was definitely a learning experience. I tried it in the sun, but that didn't work too well. After three days of trying, I gave up. If any of you try and are successful, let me know!