This afternoon Felix and Clara went out and did the picking.
Felix also thinned the radishes and picked a plateful. So good with a grinding of sea salt! As for the salad, I have learned that it must be picked an hour or so in advance, and left to sit in a bowl of cold water in the sink. The dirt sinks to the bottom, and the leaves get extra crisp and sweet--so much for the romance of picking in the garden and whisking straight to the table!
We are outsmarting the deer by keeping the beds loosely covered with a mesh made of thin plastic threads. Within five minutes of spreading it we had caught both Bella and our lazy tabby Bossy, and it seems to be keeping the deer away as well.
Unfortunately we also snared a five-foot long black snake who died in the tangles. I really felt bad about that, even though I know he was after Mavis and Prunella's eggs; in fact, it was an egg already eaten which kept him from escaping. Just couldn't quite fit that bulge through the squares. That's some serious natural consequences!
When did you plant??? Wow-that is a nice looking garden. I am guessing you live in the southern states....? I know this is a stupid question, but how long does it take for the lettuce to grow? Enjoy a bite of salad for me the next time....oh how I wish I could stroll out and pick my salad. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteC.A. Worcester
The snake...now that would have made an interesting picture. yikes!
ReplyDeletesorry to be gross... but did you take any pictures of the bulging snake?? I've never seen an egg eating snake! We have bull snakes here that eat the mice in the fruit orchards..
ReplyDeleteDid I recall somewhere that you said you lived in Texas? I'm just curious because I lived in Texas all of my life (Dallas-Fort Worth area), and we never had a garden, or a landscape for that matter, that looked as lush and green as yours does!
ReplyDeleteKim
Oh, the joys of crisp, beautiful, tasty lettuce and spinach. Yum! Lovely photos! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Amy
Though I know it was sad, your story about the snake made me laugh out loud. I just did not anticipate the egg-swallowing that would ultimately cause his demise, although I supose I should have since you had just talked about the chickens.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing bits of your daily life...I always enjoy reading.
That's a nice tip to remember about soaking the lettuce for an hour and letting the dirt fall to the bottom. Thanks for the helpful tidbit! I've been considering purchasing a salad spinner...do you use one to get the excess water off the greens? Thus far, I have been using a clean towel to soak up the excess.
ReplyDeleteLyn
I havent been over in quite some time. We got a new computer and I lost the link. But so glad to have found you again. Your blog continues to transport me to a more simple time. Love following all of your activities.
ReplyDeleteThat makes me want to eat radishes and I don't even like radishes.
ReplyDeleteSalad from your own garden...yumm!
ReplyDeleteWe had a Prunella when we had chickens a few years ago. Prunella, Mrs. Beasley, Henny Penny and Fancy. They were Banty and Banty crosses and gave us the sweetest little eggs.
Enjoy it.
WOW! I am ENVIOUS! We're just now able to plant!!
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed the picture-post of Daisy in the bathroom. What is it about mirrors and little girls?! Would that I enjoyed looking at myself in the mirror now as much as I did as a child!
Thanks for sharing!