Debbie's Garden

It is now officially fall in my book! The pecans are falling and the crows are hovering, have to get back out there and chase them off....crows and squirrels, they love the nuts!  If you need some pecans, go to my page and see what i have available. They've only just begun to fall in the past few weeks, so it will be a while before we have a big load for sale....you can buy some shelled in the meantime! It's sunny and warm here today in Marietta, GA.....and we are loving the weather! Ya'll have an awesome day! deb

It's getting chilly here in Marietta, Georgia....definitely having some nice fall weather! Love it!  The seed pods are drying out, and i've been harvesting this weekend.  Got to get them packaged, too, but that's for another day!

The crows were overhead this morning which means the pecans are ripe, and they are after them! I stepped into the back and found a handful on the ground, the first of the season.  They don't come down really hard until mid to late October, but there will be enough to make a pie or two by the end of the week!

Hope everyone else is having a blessed fall!

This year has been the year of RAIN in Georgia. It's been unreal! First, we got the best season we've had in a long time, since we've had a drought for the past couple of years, it was a very welcome relief!  Now it appears we have a little TOO MUCH water! Flooding in and around the Atlanta/Metro area have touched many lives. Homes have been flooded, schools flooded, businesses...roads shut down. It has been a long, long time since we've seen this much rain all at once in this fair state. Most of my herbs and plants are enjoying it, though, which is a plus.  Usually by this time of the year they are about dried up and crispy!!  And speaking of this time of year, i believe today is the FIRST day of FALL!  Happy Fall, ya'll! 

With the cooler weather, it's definitely time to plant collards, lettuce, broccoli and other cool weather crops....winter squash.....in my case, MORE RED CLOVER! Red Clover is one of the best herbs to help alleviate the angst of PMS and menopause - usually taken as a tea. Much has also been said of evening primrose, as well, for the same conditions.  Happy planting, all, whether it be herb or vegetable!

Yes it's here already: September. Got here quicker than usual didn't it? Not to worry, we still have warm weather here in Georgia...tomatoes still on the vine...a fresh crop of greenbeans about to be harvested....the zinnia's are getting a second wind and look better than ever...the hummingbirds are emptying the feeders quicker than they have earlier in the summer. Fall is definitely in the air, yet, summer's not quite finished either. A glorious time, a time to reflect upon the days ahead, of rest for a season, and dreaming of the new spring to come. And....what shall we plant? Ahhhh can't wait to get the updated seed catalogs and see what's "new"....maybe i'll try this variety or that....ok but this season is not over yet, so snap to attention and get out there and check for bugs and weeds! Everyone have a glorious day!  debbie

My neighbor said to me, "Last week my cucumbers were just kidding around!"....and I know what he means! Mine are going crazy (finally!) and the tomatoes are keeping even with them! What a great feeling to go pick your own fresh food from the garden or the field...to pluck fresh veggies, and fruits from the tree or plant and pop them in your mouth right off the vine (well, some of them...LOL) !! Hope everyone is having a great summer - happy gardening and eating!  deb

The fig season is well underway....lots of luscious figs at market this past Saturday! I even had a few, as well as my "famous" fig cookies and fig cake, which i sold out of (again)!  Thanks for everyone who came out...I won't be there Sat. the 15th due to the fact I need a break! LOL! I will be back out to market on August 22.  Hope all of you are doing well, and have a great week...and pray for rain, we are having a little "dry spell" here in Marietta and it's time for another good rain!  See you soon!  debbie

Just got in from market, wow, what a day! Figs are starting to ripen and i am fortunate to have a generous neighbor who doesn't eat many figs......so i made Fresh Fig Cookies!!!!  Awesome!!! I actually had to make two batches as i ate a lot of the first batch...LOL! Anyway i wanted to thank everyone for coming out to the Marietta Square today to the farmer's market! And for those who came to my booth, thank you for your continued patronage, you guys are the bomb!

Ok, here's the recipe for the fig cookies, they are WONDERFUL! 

Fresh Fig Cookies
Makes about 3 dozen

Fig Newtons have nothing on these fig and nut studded cookies. These fresh fig cookies are especially good with a tall cold glass of milk or as fig cookie ice cream sandwiches.

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar (I used turbinado sugar)
1/2 cup shortening (I used real butter instead)
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (I used cinnamon)
1 cup fresh figs, peeled, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (I used pecans instead)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand up mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream sugar and shortening and add beaten egg. In a medium-sized bowl, sift dry ingredients. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, blending on low speed. Use a spatula to fold in figs and nuts. Drop by spoonfuls on greased sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container in the pantry for up to a week.

YUMMMMMMMM!!!!!!  Ya'll have a great week!!! See ya at the market!

deb

 

Wow, Saturday was great! The Marietta Square Farmer's Market shared the square with the Christmas in July event...lots of kids were out, as Santa visited the square.  In honor of the event, all my herbs were $1.00 no matter what they were or how big or small....those herbs had wings, i tell you!  So don't miss next week, figs are coming in and FRESH FIG COOKIES will be the treat of the week!!  Not to mention, of course, the actual figs!  Hope to see you Saturday!  Until then have an HERBY week!

Hi Ya'll, hope everyone is doing well. I took a break from market last week, whew, i needed the relaxation!  For all local people, MARIETTA SQUARE will not have market this Saturday July 4, due to the parade and all the other Fourth of July festivities! I will be back out there on July 11...if you need something before then just shoot me an email!!  It's getting hot in Georgia finally....everyone try to stay cool and have an HERBY day!!

deb

I LOVE LAVENDER.....and the Lavender is still blooming hot and heavy! If you are local, come by the farmer's market on Saturday and pick up some dried bunches, dried buds for sachets, bathsalts, soaps....even a vase with some blooms you can dry yourself (instructions included) !! (You can also purchase some items through my online store as well if you are not local)

I am sad i lost a few lavender plants to the wet spring we had, but i plan to get more going....and even more than i had!  Poison Ivy is ALSO in season, too....don't forget the "Poison Ivy" (Jewelweed Extract) soap....it really helps!  Lots of herbs, Wild Japanese Parsley is a new one, lots of that.  Have baby Culantro (perennial cilantro) but they are not quite ready for market - stay tuned, probably two or three more weeks. PLENTY of Basil: Thai, Cinnamon, Sweet, Large Leaf, Lime, Lemon, Purple Petra and several other varieties. I Love my basil, too!! Got to run for now, ya'll have an HERBY day and hope to see you Saturday at market!!  xxoo  debbie

We had another cloudy day today in Marietta, but no rain fell on the market!  It was a beautiful day out there, lots of folks swarming in for their fresh veggies and herbs! I am glad to be a part of the market, it is a wonderful social event every week, and i enjoy helping people with learning to grow their herbs and such. Of course, more often than not, I learn something from them, too!  Just came in from working on transplanting some Japanese Wild Parsley, which has a slightly carroty flavor. Very interesting herb, if you see it you should try some! And a Hearty Thanks to all who come out to the Marietta Square Farmer's Market on Saturdays, you are what keeps us going! I heard a rumour they may extend the market into the fall, possibly through November! Wow! Hope they do....well have a great week, i'm off to plow and plant...!  debbie

Hi from Marietta, GA! We are having RAIN again, or is that, STILL? I haven't seen this much rain for years. I guess we should be catching up on what we've missed the past several years. Unfortunately some of my plants are actually "drowning" so to speak, i've lost three or four lavender bushes, and they are on a hill so drainage should be at a maximum! I'll be glad if we ever get a couple of sunny days in a row, maybe it will dry things out a bit. Of course we have to worry more about the mold and fungus types when it stays wet too long. But...on the upside, i have not had to use anything but rain water so far to water my plants this year! And everything that isn't drowning, is flourishing!!  It has been a bit cool for Georgia this year, as well.  This is keeping some of the veggies from sprouting as quickly, and the basil doesn't want to grow fast like it would if it were warmer.  I planted some new basils, one of them called Oriental Breeze, and one called blue spice, and Amethyst (it's purple!) and i also planted LEMON thyme. All are sprouting!!  Also, in my personal space, my black beans and lima beans are up, pole beans, radishes, and early corn. I have the tomatoes and peppers planted. Trying to get some okra up, it doesn't want to, says it's too cool yet! LOL! Well that's about all i have, if it will stop raining, i can get some more herbs potted up for market next week! Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day Weekend!  debbie