The spring vegetable garden is in full swing. Tomorrow I have plans to harvest my second batch of broccoli raab and to make another batch of Chickpeas with Broccoli Raab and Bacon for dinner.
I’m also excited about the rainbow Swiss chard. The techno colored greens should be ready to harvest in about 2-3 weeks. If you happen to have a recipe for Swiss chard that you love, please send it my way, because I have no idea how we are going to eat it all.
More radishes. What was I thinking? We may have to open the vegetable stand sooner than expected to get rid of them.
This year I decided to plant a border of beets around the tomato plants. Well, 2 garden boxes of tomato plants anyway. Towards the end of July I’ll plant a second batch so we have some fresh beets to roast for Thanksgiving dinner. Have you ever tried companion planting before? You should. It’s fun to see how many different plants you can pack into such a small space. Once you’ve tried it, it makes planting in long rows seem kind of boring.
Did you know there is a website devoted to 365 Days of Kale? I think I need to spend some time over there and find a few recipes. I’m not really a kale farmer… so I’m not sure how big I should let this stuff grow before I pick it. Does anyone know? Does it look ready to harvest?
And lets not forget about the sugar snap peas. I wish they would hurry up. The stir fry pan is calling their name.
Will you be heading outside to play in the dirt today?
I will be. So many seeds to plant… and not enough daylight.
Peace Out Girl Scouts, enjoy the sun!
♥ Mavis
Want to learn more about companion planting? Check out the book Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden
*Amazon prices can change at anytime.
Ayrie Joyce says
Yes, pick that Kale now. All of the greens (mustard, kale, collards, chard, beet and turnip greens) are best picked young. They are OK when they get bigger, but can be tougher. Plus, if you just cut off the top and leave a few leaves then it will grow again and you can come back in a week or so and cut it again. Have you tried Kale Chips? How about Kale salad with olives and dates – Both awesome. Perhaps tonight’s post will have to be about Kale.
Mavis says
Message received. Will pick kale. Thanks Ayrie!
You Can Call Me Jane says
Everything looks amazing!!
Mavis says
Thanks Jane!
Christina Briggs says
Have you ever tried pickling radishes? I saw an interesting recipe and will probably have to try it this year due to all the radishes I stuck in different locations!
Mavis says
No, but thank you for the idea. 🙂 I just might have to try that.
Tristan says
Your garden is doing so great! This is my first year growing a garden, and I’m hoping for some success. I tried companion planting , so it will be fun to see if the plants actually help each other 🙂
Desi says
Wow, the difference between a gardner who is on top of things and get stuff planted to one who just this week got the majority of her garden planted is HUGE! Your garden looks awesome! I saw something on pinterest about roasted radishes, maybe good. Kale is great in soup. I would love to know what you know about beets. My hubby loves them and this is my first year growing them. Any suggestions and what do you do with them besides pickle them.
Kari says
I don’t care for them pickled, but we just boil them, drop them in ice water to slip the skins, then dice and eat with butter and salt. I could eat till I’m sick! Enjoy!
Mavis says
We love roasted beets. They are especially good on the BBQ in a grill pan with olive oil and S&P.
Mary Ann says
Wow, what a difference a week or so makes. Everything is getting so big! Your garden is doing spectacularly!!!
I just came in from weeding mine. I don’t know where this weed came from (or what it is), but it’s totally taking over! It was a big job today and I’m exhausted.
Oh, and it looks like my first bell pepper will be big enough to pick in a week or so. Fajitas, yum!!!
Mavis says
Are you kidding me? You have bell peppers? I’m jealous.
Mary Ann says
Just one so far, but the plants are only about 8 inches tall, so even one is shocking!
LaToya says
I love it when you say “peace out, girl scouts” – it always makes me giggle…
Kari says
Kale is delicious in Tuscan Soup (like Olive Garden’s) with potatoes, sausage, and kale. I’m actually making that for dinner tonight, but I had to buy my kale at Safeway 🙂
alyssa says
Love your garden 🙂 Both my raised vegetable gardens have been completely taken over by the mint and creeping thyme. I’ve tried yanking them out with a shovel from time to time in the hopes of startign some seeds but they keep coming back all the time. I don’t know what to do with these stubborn plants that just wouldn’t go away. So I’m left with just planting in the containers. Any idea to get rid of them would be of tremendous help.
Mavis says
Alyssa,
I feel your pain. I too made the mistake of planting mint in a garden bed {and not in a container}. I feel like I am yanking it up almost every time I walk by it. ;(
Erin O. says
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-and-Swiss-Chard-Enchilada-Casserole-13593
Chicken and Swiss Chard Enchilada Cassarole, a HUGE hit in our house and it freezes well. I usually cheat and get the canned enchilada sauce.
Mavis says
Thanks!!!
Mavis says
Ha! I have everything on the recipe list. Thanks Erin.
Heather S. says
I second kale in the Tuscan soup – super yummy! I know a lot of people juice it as well. Maybe you can sneak it into some of your smoothies… The garden looks fabulous!!!
Mavis says
Okay, Okay, I’ll look it up. 😉
Kari says
http://www.tuscanrecipes.com/recipes/olive-garden-zuppa-toscana.html
This is similar to the one I make. Can’t find the exact recipe I use, I just eye-ball it now!
Mavis says
Thanks Kari! 🙂
Gwen says
So beautiful! Best photos I’ve seen all day. My dad (you know, the one you are always supposed to listen to when he gives advice) said I should keep my tomato plants inside until June but I noticed yours are already planted outside. By the looks of your garden I should be following your lead. Do you always put your tomato plants out in May? I will do what every you say :).
Sara says
I am new to kale, but there is a really yummy kale salad at Cheesecake Factory… it would be worth looking up a recipe like that! Also I have had baby kale with olive oil & lemon juice & S & P. 🙂 YUM! Thanks for posting! I just saw your blog about 4 days ago… my new fav! 😀
Sarah A says
I love your Garden!! Your blog has inspired me to get out there and grow a garden, but I only have a patio, so I am growing seeds in containers, and so far so good. I do have one question for you though, Do you space out your sugar snap peas? or do you leave them like you had them in your picture? I have a container that im growing them in, it’s about 8 inches wide by about 2 1/2 feet long, and i have 2 rows in it with the seeds about 3 inches apart from each other, just curious if i need to space them out, or just let them grow the way they are. Thanks for the help and inspirations every day!
Mavis says
I leave them exactly as you see them in the picture. 🙂 I tend to rebel a bit against the directions on the seed packets. Your peas will be fine. Congrats on your patio garden!
Alise says
Kale Pesto!!! It is fabulous! Seriously, you might think it will be bitter, but it isn’t. Use toasted walnuts (vs pine nuts) and you will get a wonderful pesto and it freezes great! We use it on fish, chicken, & pasta. You could also probably use it as a sauce for a Quinoa cold salad too! Super versatile and since you use the leaves raw you get to keep all the great nutrients too!
Katie P. says
http://www.mccormick.com/recipes/main-dish/white-chicken-chili.aspx
I use this white chicken chili recipe with ground chicken instead of cubed. I also add fresh corn (or frozen is fine) and a big bunch of swiss chard. It’s filling, comfort food and you get some greens! Plus chicken is way better for you than ground beef and the corn gives it a little sweet bite. Seriously, you won’t be able to stop eating it.