Baymule's 2016 Garden

[baymule]

I hate to admit this. But I've never had squash. I got shudders every time I tried it. I think the name turned me off to it when I was little.

I love squash! It's so versatile! Summer squash, winter squash, easy to grow and easy to cook. I even have a recipe for zucchini squash cobbler that tastes like apple pie. Fry it, stuff it, casserole, bake it, squash is great stuff.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

X2 - I've even made 'chili' from winter squash. My son, who is the pickiest eater on the planet says "Mom, I know this isn't real chili but it's dang good!" That right there is all the confirmation one needs to keep cookin' it, lol!

 

[CJ1]

Meh. I probably should try it. But the name squash creeps me out.

Yeah I know. I'm weird.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

And a friend of mine won't go to this wonderful Italian restaurant because it's named Luigi's. She thinks it sounds too much like.... well... use your imagination! LOL

 

[baymule]

I picked 20 more squash today for a total of 54 so far!

 

[baymule]

Today I picked 30 squash. I am officially done putting squash in the freezer!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Soooooo...whatcha gonna do with the rest of it?

 

[baymule]

Soooooo...whatcha gonna do with the rest of it?

Have no idea. Probably find others that would appreciate it or need it and give it to them. God has blessed us, so we in turn bless others with the abundance that HE has provided.

We gave 10 to some neighbors, both are disabled and money is tight. We have 10 bagged up to go to some other neighbors, she can't garden anymore due to back injuries.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Good plan!

 

[baymule]

Well, I have picked over 200 yellow squash! We took squash and eggs to town several times and sold it. We gave squash to the neighbors. I gave squash to the chickens. I gave squash to the sheep. We ate squash. We ate squash bread and squash fritters. The freezer has LOTS of squash. I have been squashed.

I picked one, count it, one zucchini. One. I picked 2 yellow patty pan squash. I might get more of both. On that same day, I picked a handful of butterbeans and a decent bundle of purple hull peas, neither of which were enough for a meal. I got a few of the long green beans that I love to grow and my DH loves to eat. I made soup! with lots of yellow squash LOL I got 9 pints that will be delicious this winter.

I planted Painted Mountain corn for cornmeal and it was picked at 72 days. The corn worms got in it, rabbits attacked and horses reached over the fence snatching every stalk they could get. The soil is poor and will take a LOT more work. I did get a few really nice ears, 7" long and full of beautiful kernels. But most were stubby, wizened, worm damaged, pitiful little things. But at least I got enough for seed AND to make some cornmeal!!

The green beans and butterbeans are just coming on. They will produce like crazy until a hard killing frost. I planted purple hull peas, most didn't come up, but the few that did are making peas now. I am getting seed first, then I'll try to put some in the freezer. I planted calico peas, they are spreading out like they want to take over the world and are covered in blooms. Looks like I will get a good harvest from them.

Tomatoes! I have lots of tomatoes! I have dehydrated two batches and have more to go in the dehydrator tomorrow. I have more to pick tomorrow and will can all I get. I am so excited to actually be picking veggies in the garden. Last year was a big zero and even though there are utter failures out there, the successes are fantastic.

I got some free seed potatoes at the feed store because it was so late for planting, so I planted them, half expecting nothing. To my immense pleasure, I got a small harvest (more than is in this picture) and we are enjoying the potatoes.

I planted Crenshaw melons. They came up and that was about all. Then for some reason known only to the plants, they started to grow. They are spreading out and blooming. If I get even one melon, I'll be over the moon!

I called the local electric company and got on a list for the ground up bits of branches they cut off the power lines. They contract it out. In the last two weeks, we have gotten THREE loads of mulch with lots of lovely wood chips. We hope for more, but think that the contractors are out of our area now. My husband tipped the two men $10 each and I gave them bottles of cold water.