Yesterday we pruned some of our lilacs way back to make room for an apple tree. Before sending the prunings off to a compost pile I clipped the blossoms and put them in vases through our house. They are just on the brink of opening up, but they already smell like heaven.
Mmmm, I can smell those lilacs from here :) I am currently making your focaccia with sun-dried tomatoes that you posted about a couple months ago. We grew LOTS of tomatoes last year, and I dehydrated and froze quite a few of them. I'm looking forward to trying your bread.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI hope your focaccia turned out delicious! Aren't lilacs divine? I have trouble keeping my nose out of the blooms this time of year. My neighbors must think I'm such an odd bird.
Kate,
ReplyDeleteI need a shady urban solution for a herb or veggie garden... any suggestions?
Charles
Charles: that is a great question. Growing food in low light areas is tough, but not impossible. Forget about any deep shade though... shade-lovers like ferns are best for those areas.
ReplyDeleteIn your sunniest spots try the following things:
Strawberries, raspberries, spinach, kale, bok choy and other cabbages, arugula, lettuce, beets, peas, chard, chives, and cilantro. Mint seems to do great everywhere, but put it in a pot or you will have a garden of nothing but mint.
These are "cool weather crops", and will therefore do well without the maximum light and heat of summer.
Tomatoes, beans, squash, and melons will probably end in heart ache for you and your family... probably best not to go there.
Also, you can consider some strategic pruning to provide more light in your property. If you don't know what you are doing though, call a certified arborist to take care of it for you. It might be well worth the investment.
Let me know how it goes!
Kate