August is always such a spectacular month for harvests in my part of the woods ... although I don't necessarily get the yield that some folks have, I am certainly enjoying the variety this time of the year. The photo above is a last minute picking of greenhouse plants ... various tomatoes and peppers.
Tomatoes include chocolate cherry tomatoes, Black Krim and Japanese Black Trifele. The basket also includes Hungarian Hot Wax and Jalapenos and these are the last of the Pimiento sweet peppers. I've removed that plant from the greenhouse creating space for other pepper plants that were in containers outside.
And I have a variety of squash and other cucurbits (including my first two cucumbers!) ...
I will draw your attention to the 2 dots at the bottom of that photo and you will see mouse melons. I have been trying to grow these, unsuccessfully, for 3 years. I keep trying as I desperately want to eat a bunch of these. They look like watermelons and taste like a slightly sour cucumber. I should have dozens by now, but all I get is one or two. But the plants are looking healthier than ever so maybe I'll get a big handful by the end of the season!
I finally got some arugula. Early plants bolted so I am thrilled to finally get some of my favourite greens. The basket also hold a bunch of basil. I made an arugula-basil pesto.
And more beans.
And my last harvest of the week is a result of garden maintenance. The small onions were accidental during a bout of weeding. And the carrots (rainbow mix), though not at all mature, were intentionally pulled as an exercise in thinning.
Thanks to Daphne at Daphne's Dandelions for hosting a weekly spot on what gardener's are harvesting, cooking (or even still planting!) this week.
Some beautiful colors in the photo of the basket of peppers and tomatoes. Your mouse melons are interesting. They are more commonly called Mexican sour gherkin in US seed catalogs. Some people say they grow well in a hanging basket.
ReplyDeleteA hanging basket is a GREAT idea for the mouse melons (sour gherkin makes a lot more sense). Thanks David, I'll try that next year.
DeleteNever heard of mouse melon, sounds interesting especially the name, must learn more. Lovely variety of tomatoes, bet they are the tastiest.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of mouse melons either. All of my arugula bolted too so I need to get some seedlings planted. I love arugula too!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking harvest! I'm about a week away from my first beans so they are making my mouth water!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so envious of those ripe peppers - other than the Hungarian wax, the only pepper that is changing colour is one of my Jimmy Nardello's; not exactly spectacular considering I have over 25 pepper plants. How did you find the mouse melons? I've heard people comment that they are cute, but not that great when it comes to eating.
ReplyDeleteI agree they are a bit of a novelty but I'd rather have a big bowl of these than sliced cucumber which begins to dry out as soon as it has been cut into.
DeleteI had to go look up Mouse Melons, they sound interesting. How do you loke the flavor? Love that colorful basket of tomatoes and peppers. My first ripe peppers are still weeks away.
ReplyDeleteI like the taste although not as sour as I would expect - but maybe they aren't fully mature (I have so few it is hard to tell). To me, they taste like cucumber after it's been lightly salted.
DeleteI just came across this tweet about fermenting mouse melons today and thought you might appreciate it. https://twitter.com/mountainfeed/status/520298729534795777
DeleteI might have to try them next year, they might make a tasty addition to salads.
Ooh, that's neat, thanks Michelle!
DeleteGreat looking harvests! Mouse melons...now I've seen everything. I thought they were capers when I first saw your photograph.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed at the produce I see some people grow especially in different parts of the world. So many veggies to discover!
DeleteThose melon are the cutest ever! Great job on the tomato and pepper harvest this week.
ReplyDeleteWonderful harvests. I love the first basket and all of the colors.
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