Sunny days with clouds dotting the sky. Rainy nights with fresh breeze to blow away the heat of summer. Finally, the perfect weather is here. It is that lovely time when summer turns to fall and I am loving it!
My mornings begin in the traditional way of an Argentine (or Argentine transplant, like myself). That is to say, with a yerba mate and snack of some kind. Growing up in the United States eggs, toast, and sometimes even bacon were the components of my mornings but, I just don't have the energy to cook first thing. And, since 'tis the season, a little dose of my favorite herb from the garden and then I am off to the chores of the day.
The front yard garden is coming together. The in-ground plants have grown enough to disguise the plants in plastic pots. Now it appears to be one harmonious flower bed with herb set throughout.
And the pumpkin patch just beside it is lovely too. I haven't yet seen any actual pumpkins growing - which worries me deeply - but I have hope that the fall rains and mulch I put down will help.
Out in the actual garden the pumpkin plants do not look as lush. So, I moved the random trays of seedlings in the garden bed and put down some mulch to help improve their environment. The mulch is a combination of dried leaves from the forest and matured horse manure from the fields where the horses used to roam.
As always the herbs and the microgreens are thriving while everything in the grounds is so-so. Here are a bunch of pumpkin seeds that have sprouted and that I harvest by the bowl-full for different meals.
Unlike leafy greens, baby pumpkin greens really do need to be cooked. I like to include them in omelets & quiches. They may not be very tasty but, I still appreciate that they can handle the super hot sunshine of summer.
The weather is changing though! And fall is the perfect season to embrace leafy greens, espcially mustard greens which are so so easy to grow. A couple of days ago I bought a big bag of mustard seeds (sold as a condiment in shops around here) and sprinkled a few strays with their seeds. In just two days they pushed through the thin layer of compost sown above them and this morning I saw their first leaves.
It can be overwhelming to tend to a big garden and a huge piece of land as well as our own acre a mile away. Very often I feel like a failure because I can't do it all. I want to grow vegetables, herbs, fruits, design a nice landscape, build a house, and accomplish my work goals too. Then, I remind myself: just keep it simple.
So, microgreens, building, and blogging it is!
