I always post pictures of my garden in its early stages, and then lose steam due to being out there with dirty hands and a sense of things getting quite, quite out of control!
So a few harvest photos — veggies stashed in the freezer not included. I do share more on Instagram. As with everyone else's garden, I had some ups and downs. That's life!
First, a serendipitous harvest of crabapples, that came about in this wise:
Two of Auntie Sue's (now grown up) young lads took down a tree for us that was up next to the stable. They cleared a few other little saplings and then more work was done up there to beat back the brush and brambles.
The tree was here, below, right next to the stable (you can see the stump in the photo above) :
All that clearing revealed what my friend Benedict (a super knowledgeable gardener) told me is a crabapple tree (it's really an overgrown bush?). This surprised me, as I didn't know that some crabapples are tiny.
I have a vivid memory of my Egyptian grandmother visiting my father's house in Branford, CT, and of her making the most delicious crabapple jelly using fruits we found on a tree at the beach there. Those crabapples were more apple-sized and the tree was more apple-tree-like, and that's what I think of.
My grandchildren picked what they could reach, including by dragging a stepladder up there. You need three pounds for the recipe I have, and we're almost there.
If I have to throw in a regular apple, will I spend all my time explaining to everyone who wants some jelly on their toast that I did so, that it's not completely crabapple? This threat of OCD twitchiness is incentivizing my husband to see if he can reach more:
I hope I can make something as revelatory and memorable as what my grandmother (after whom I'm named) made for us that day, but I will be happy with edible and jelled (I'm not that good at jelly, for some reason — tips appreciated!).
The squash are curing inside on the radiator and out on the porch in the sun. I cannot remember what the pumpkin-like ones are called! I have no record! They are supposed to be sweet and good eating. I am a little disappointed that I didn't get more, but I think our lack of rain at the end of the summer really did them in.
Even these late, somewhat damaged tomatoes (with more to come outside) will make a fine sauce:
And I did get many tucked away in the form of salsa, dried tomatoes, and roasted and/or boiled sauce:
Along with dried zucchini you see there (and some grilled slices in the freezer for lasagna) and also in powdered form (dehydrated and then popped in the blender):
This powdered zuke is surprisingly good in soups and works as a thickener too!
I stashed the super big hard ones out in the garage and I will feed them to the chickens later in the year. I planted some variety that I can't recall (or find) now (apparently my record-keeping is terrible), but I think when it comes to zukes and cukes I need to plant the tried-and-true and not go into fanciness.
I have been preserving eggs and now have over 8 dozen stashed away:
Below is the “in progress” jar (1/2 gallon)… with dried medicinal herbs behind. The hens are definitely slowing down in the shorter days. I think we need to put the solar-powered lights back out!
The garlic harvest was on point — 100 heads, which is a lot for the two of us… and yes, this is the toilet paper holder from the last decade that is no longer useful for this decade's giant rolls, but demonstrates the importance of never throwing anything away lest it come in useful for something else, as per my motto:
That may not seem like 100 heads to you, but I fermented a bunch already (and fermented a jar of garlic with honey as well):
And dried a bunch too (see the process here):
The onions were not what I had hoped. I seem to have gotten no red ones at all, boo. Next year…
I hope you enjoyed this round up from the garden! I probably forgot some things (asparagus and green beans in the freezer… ) and maybe your garden was better — in fact, I'm sure it was! But I am content!
bits & pieces
- You know how I have written and talked about the absolute necessity of beauty in our ordinary lives? I think this short film, To Last a Thousand Years, about the Fairfield Carmelites' building project is inspiring in just the way we need, and makes the connection between the beauty of the foundation in the monastery to the beauty of the lives of those it touches (even if no one realizes their existence) — the spiritual connection in the very real liturgical economy that I try to reference. Every commitment to beauty has an effect in saving the world! I love that they are quoted as saying, “if it looks like a stone wall, it needs to be a stone wall!” Note how the contractor's life has already been changed by the chance to realize a dream of fulfilling his seemingly futile ambition to build something with stone, to last a thousand years!
- This Instagram account fits in with the “Pattern Language” way of looking at building, and has accessible information for older children interested in such things.
- I thought this was funny (and a sweet painting): The Internet Has Been Left Baffled By 162-Year-Old Painting Where A Woman Appears To Be Holding A Smartphone
- Thank God: Vanderbilt To Pause Gender Transition Surgeries On Minors Following Bombshell — and may the rest of these hospitals that are engaged in this horrible practice follow suit: Medical Groups Ask DOJ to Investigate Critics of Hospitals’ Gender Surgeries on Children
- My friend Peter Kwasniewski has put together a list of recommended traditional books for parents. I'm honored to have two books on it!
from the archives
- Sibling rivalry and how to fix it (well, it's never going to go away, but maybe my thoughts will help)
- Give your children what really matters
liturgical living
St. Pelagia and St. Hugh of Canefro
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Emily says
What does one do with preserved eggs? I’ve seen a bit o this lately and I have to admit I have no idea what they are for! Enlighten me? 🙂
Leila says
They are literally eggs, preserved! You simply take what you want out, rinse them off, and use like a fresh egg. They last this way for a year!
They have to be unwashed (but clean) eggs and the water has calcium hydroxide (slaked lime AKA pickling lime) mixed in.
Caitlin says
What a PERFECT container for garlic!! Are the pumpkin-like gourds not… pumpkins?
Leila says
I THINK SO TOO!!
Maybe? Maybe they are a pie pumpkin?
Leila says
I am under the impression that they are a kind of squash, but they might be a princess pumpkin variety. I know I bought seed in the spring and just can’t find a record anywhere of what it was! Too bad, they did pretty well!
Mrs. Bee says
I remember that back in August you had a picture of them growing beautifully, and you called them sweet pie pumpkins – here: https://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2022/08/dehydrating-tomatoes-and-collecting-propolis/
Leila says
Well there you go!
Would still like to find the actual name… but oh well! When they cure I will cook one and see how it is!
Mrs. Bee says
I am assuming you already tried to find the seed packet in the pretty storage box you showed us a few months ago? Or searched your email for the seed order? We don’t really have enough to even call it a garden, but my daughter enjoys keeping a gardening journal to plan, dream, and record what she does. Maybe you just need to find a little notebook laying around unused, tiny enough to live with the seed packets, it might help you remember to jot down notes.
Is this the first time you’ll use your own pumpkins to make a pie? It will be interesting to see if you taste any difference. I love pumpkin bread, but since I made my first sweet potato pie a couple of years ago, I prefer that to a pumpkin pie made with canned pumpkin. I should try buying a pie pumpkin and see what I think. I don’t mind trying many pies 🙂
Leila says
Going down your checklist — I HAVE DONE IT ALL haha… Searched my orders, looked through my box, consulted my garden journal. I dunno what happened… I’ll probably find the packet in some apron pocket at some point…
I usually roast my squash (usually butternut squash) and then use that for pies. It’s so good that way — not at all watery and very deep in flavor. I am looking forward to trying these pumpkins! I wish I had more butternuts! Those are really my favorite variety.
Brad and Kari Brane says
A question about sibling rivalry. I keep reading it in hopes that our house of contention will become peaceful, but every time I leave them alone to work out their own problems, 1 of 2 things happens (or both).
1. My bossy 15 year old senses a vacuum in authority and steps in to be the parent. (And if she’s not there, the 12 year old fills the gap.) Or
2. It turns into Lord of the Flies.
Help!?
Kari
Leila says
I have a post about bossiness: http://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2017/03/ask-auntie-leila-bossiness-cure/
This sort of child will ultimately be very helpful but does need to understand that she does herself no favors by her behavior. A firm alpha hand helps contain her. Reminders that she will not get in trouble if others engage in naughtiness helps.
Maybe get those two older girls to work together to encourage the younger ones to follow them, rather than resort to pushing them, so to speak. This might take some work on your part, but will be worth it in the end.
As I say in the linked post, when things descend into chaos, it means that it’s time for work (or bed).
And sometimes the Lord of the Flies stage has to be gotten through to the other side, where they sort things out.
One thing to remember is that a hierarchy is necessary, and within reason, allowing some children to manage the others is not the worst thing, as long as they have been helped to understand the necessity for basic kindness. This takes practice (and failure). It won’t be perfect from the start, but eventually it will sort itself out. Sometimes getting there means taking the one troublemaker with you, or otherwise letting those who will cooperate with each other form a good solid workable base on which you can build a structure that allows you to leave once in awhile!
Hang in there!
Nancy says
Impressive harvest. Thank you for the booklist by P. Kwasniewski…he is coming to visit /talk in our area, in December.
Michelle says
This is my first year growing squash. Is it okay to pick them with a little bit of green striping then? I’ve been waiting and waiting, but the vines are starting to look miserable.
Leila says
It’s good to wait and pick them just before the frost or when the vines die back and they look ripe, whichever comes first. I still have a few of those pumpkins out there, looking quite green. If you go by actual farmers’ fields, you will see the squash out there still.
If they are quite ripe, do pull them in so the animals don’t get them, but if there’s green, try to leave them out in the sun. I think they will likely ripen, but they will be better the longer you can leave them out.
Don’t forget to cure them for a couple of weeks so they have a chance to ripen if they are going to, to get a hard rind, and to develop sugars. Once they have cured (near the radiator or wood stove, or out in the sun depending on where you are), then you can store them in the pantry. They will keep just fine!
Michelle says
Thank you! We’ve had such a hard drought that every one is precious.
Cami says
I didn’t realize my split tomatoes could be used in sauce. Yay!
Web search warned that fruit flies could lay eggs in them so I was avoiding them or cutting offparts. I got some type of blight at the end here so my tomato plants look terrible but there are some final tomatoes left to pick. Not all red but can I use green ones too? Any suggestions for fighting mildew? My cukes got hit hard and after a dry summer (CT) where nothing would grow until August when humidity improved, I had many cukes starting to grow but by the time I picked the first, mildew set in and the others stunted badly. I’m a newbie and want to keep a clean, organic garden. Hoping to have more success next year.
Mrs. T says
Every year gardening is a chance to learn something new. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true. You’ll learn just as much from your failures as your successes. Really!
Leila says
I do cut away the yukky parts. And then it cooks up fine. I’m not at “using the green tomatoes” stage yet (and if I have a bunch I’ll make my chutney), but these semi-ripe ones can be used before they completely ripen, which in their condition probably won’t work out well. By the time they get ripe those splits will be rotten. The drought followed by intense rain was not conducive to producing the best tomatoes, but we’ll work with it!
Cami says
Yes, we experienced the same weather in CT. Thanks for sharing!
Mrs. T says
My garden most certainly did not look better than yours. I spent most of this gardening season learning about… gardening. My father helped me build more beds using old wood (use what you have! ), I took my younger boys on a hike where we collected a bunch of forest matter to fill the beds and I made friendly with a neighbor down the road who has all the horse poop I need, free for the taking. We raise meat chickens so I only have chicken manure for a few months of the summer. Built a larger and better compost bin and also found a good, cheap source for ready compost. Been collecting seeds, too. Tested several sprouting mediums over spring and found those cardboard-like egg containers work beautifully. Have plenty stashed away. Next will be a rain barrel in the spring, close to the garden. I’ve already drawn out my growing plans for next year, set up in such a way that if I were to become pregnant, the children could take over.
I think your pumpkins look delicious, just the right size.
Melissa says
Wow! This was inspirational! Thank you for all the ideas!
Leila says
Thanks! They do look good!
I’m looking forward to prepping the beds for the winter and planting garlic! And soon my bulbs will come…
MargP says
I appreciate seeing your harvest!
Last year I got ONE Butternut squash. This year Eleven! Woohoo!
But only one watermelon. Oh well.
I tried growing my own seedlings for the plants I normally buy for the first time this spring. Not much luck and had to buy plants. I’ll be reaccessing my set-up over winter.
ringofendlesslightblog says
Your garden was definitely better than mine! We moved to the woods so instead of blistering heat that takes away all moister and requires constant watering… I got shade. Shade everywhere. Turns out gardens need to full sun to produce. So my 100+ beans plants produced about a pound a week. We eat a pound in one sitting. Ah gardening trials and errors. Such a fickle thing. I was really hoping this to be my most productive year ever, and it’s definitely not. Anyways I jumped for joy when I saw you had posted.
Leila says
Oh I’m glad you weren’t bored!
Maybe cutting back trees (and having a stock of firewood!) is in your future…
Ringofendlesslightblog says
Never! Life is never boring.
I wish. We don’t own this property and my husband has a thing about cutting down trees. 🤣😬 he is basically a curmudgeon about tree cutting. Though we do heat our house with wood🤣🤣
Leila says
I am all for cutting down trees! I was so happy to see that tree go!
bethannescholl says
I learned that you can use cut down trees to propagate mushrooms in the logs and they (the mushrooms) are very, very happy in shady conditions. Seems like it might be up your alley. Also, I don’t know where you said it, but somewhere you said something like, “Don’t be intimidated by sourdough. Just use your starter like you would yeast.” Somehow that freed me up and I made two respectable loaves without thinking about it too much. Thanks for the sensible advice!
Leila says
Oh yay for respectable loaves!
I am super intimidated by mushrooms. But you never know!
precisewoman says
I made crabapple jelly for the first time this year, foraging from a tree on public land. They were the bigger more apple-y type. The jelly was good, but sweeter and not as flavorful as I had hoped. I think you’ll have better luck with the puckery little ones. I also may have added too much water in the juicing phase. This is the recipe I followed, and it really was as easy as it says: https://practicalselfreliance.com/crabapple-jelly/ And very satisfying when it got to the “gel stage” with only apples and sugar!
Rebecca says
I like the book Jam Session for recipes and preserving tips. I am not sure if there is crabapple jelly, but there are lots of recipes off the beaten path and from many cultural traditions. For instance, the recipe for carrot rhubarb jam sounds odd, but my kids loved it. I think you would also enjoy the author’s tone in the book. It never has that USDA feel of you will perish if you stray from our commands, but a much more commonsense approach to canning.
I enjoy your garden tours! Have fun putting your garden to bed and dreaming of next spring.
melissa says
We LOVE crabapple jelly! We’ve made it with crab apples about the same size as your pic. LOTS of sugar 🙂 I don’t think we’ve ever used any pectin, plenty in the crab apples. If you like a super firm jelly though you might want to add a little. It’s the most perfect shade of pink too!
Leila says
Well, I made it and actually it never occurred to me to add pectin, and I think I should have added more water, because it’s very set! I might have to redo it!
Rosemary says
The contractor Joe Bonifate’s wife is a friend of mine, and they used to belong to our parish! (They moved further out of the city–and closer to the monastery.) They are really an amazing family, and it’s so cool to see their updates about how construction is going.
Leila says
I just love him. Isn’t it amazing that his name is Joseph (!) Well Done!!
Mrs S says
Well, I’m in the UK and I didn’t know crabapples could be apple-sized! So thank you for the info swap 😉
Leila says
To be clear mine are tiny! The size of olives!
Cindy says
I really like your harvest round up, especially the pictures! The photos inspire me to go look at my vegetables and keep on harvesting them, even when I’m tired. I love how you encourage us to do what we can do and keep trying. Your medicinal dried herbs interest me as I have been developing my Wellness Cabinet in my house with more herbs and Essential oils and how-to books for taking care of my family. Do you have any book recommendations for growing, preparing, and using Medicinal herbs as well as any other book recommendations for taking care of family health and wellness? I keep looking for books on these topics to add to my resources, especially simple ones, to grow in my confidence of using them.