Life on the Ranch

     Well, 7 months have passed since we first put the garlic bulbs in the ground. Some of the leaves have been turning brown and some of the plants have even started to bolt (produce a flower head). I decided to pull a few out to see what they looked like. They seemed to look good. After coming and researching a little bit, I decided to go get a few more of the garlic plants and try my hand at braiding them.       There is some debate among garlic growers as to whether or not to wash the bulbs off or not before the curing process. I decided to leave the dirt on them and did my best at a not-so-good-braid. Now that braid is hanging . . . in the house!       In the picture below, you can see that the garlic braid is hanging right above the kitchen table and counter area. Here is a closer pic of the hanging braid: Here are a few pics of when I was trying to figure out how to do a braid:

Well, the garden is starting to produce food for us. Check out the size of this cabbage! I am holding it in the air. The actual head weighed about 5 pounds or so, I think. It was turned into a yummy coleslaw dish. Here are the peas starting to grow on the vines: Here is one of the garlic plants getting a flower head on it. I don't know too much about growing garlic but, I think they are getting close to be being done . . . we had put these into the ground last October, I think. Here are some marigolds . . . just one of the flowers we have planted in an effort to keep bad bugs away from our veggies while they grow. I came back in yesterday with one of the strollers full of goodies. Here is a pic of that: More later, hopefully. It is more difficult to do posts nowadays it seems since the weather is nicer and I find myself outside much more. Kim

Well, we planted some Turnips a few weeks ago and now have a nice little patch of turnips growing. The only problem was that some of the kidos "helped" and a few too many seeds were thrown out! We have thinned 2 of the 3 rows out and have had some wonderful additions to our tacos and salads. When the turnip greens are small, they remind me of alfalfa sprouts. I had hoped to get a few more Fall veggies into the ground but, time seemed to get away from me all too fast. At this point, I am hoping to at least get the Egyptian Walking Onions into the ground that I ordered a few days ago. And, I am in contact with a gourmet Garlic grower who is putting together a package of different garlics to get into the ground.