Fresh Summer Herbs Are A Must!

If you cook, then you'll want to grow a kitchen herb garden.

The other night, I whipped up a fresh pesto sauce with the Basil and Parsley I'm growing. Then I made Grilled Peppers with Pesto, from License to Grill by Chris Knight and Rob Rainford. Yummy!




Grow your favs!
You should grow herbs that you know you'll use. Italian and French cooking are my favourites, so I've planted:

• Parsley
• Tarragon
• Thyme
• Basil
• Chervil

I transferred the herbs to larger pots, putting a layer of gravel first for drainage. The soil I used was labelled potting soil. I got four bags for $10. Though most of the herbs are doing well, the Basil is not happy!  I believe I should have used the "soilless" potting soil instead. Last year I used the Miracle Grow potting soil. All my plants flourished. So, I guess the lesson is, don't cheap out on your soil!

With gardening, you live and learn.

Zucchini as Torpedoes?

I was telling my DH about the "mere gardening incident". He is not really into gardening but always has an opinion. I don't necessarily pay attention to his opinions, but here are his thoughts on the matter:

If you don't identify yourself to whom ever is selling you large quantities of fertilizer you could be  a suspect in a bomb plot. Before you know it, the RCMP or CSIS  could be on your doorstep! They are going to take a very close look at your zucchini, wondering if they're really torpedoes. And are those pumpkins disguised bombs? So, be careful if you buy fertilizer in Canada - they'll be watching!

OMG!

Missing fertilizer a "gardening incident"

As you may know, the G20 Summit is being held in Toronto. Amidst the preparations for this, a tonne of fertilizer went missing! It was purchased by a man who had a European accent,  limped and had missing fingers. Hmmm. That got me worried since large amounts of fertilizer can be used to make a bomb. And the description of the suspect was right out of an Agatha Christie novel.

Thankfully it's turned out to be a "mere gardening incident". Who would have thought gardening could be full of so much intrigue!
You can read the whole story here.

Flowers as organic pest control

Did you know companion planting flowers with your vegetables can help to naturally control insect pests? In my quest to organically deter various garden interlopers, I've discovered that planting certain flowers with my vegetables will aid in controlling various insects. This year I put a couple of marigolds and planted nasturtium seeds in my vegetable garden.

Marigolds
I've read that marigolds are great near tomatoes as well as asparagus, cabbage and beans. They will send these pests packing:

• Beetles
• Worms
• Flies

Nasturtiums

The nasturtiums serve two purposes. They will, apparently, hold at bay:

• Moths
• Beetles
• Squash bugs
• Aphids

These lovely blooms are good companion plants to squash, pumpkins, beans and flowers.
Their second purpose: they're edible! They look fabulous in a salad or as a garnish.