What a few months it’s been!
We’ve been quite busy with family things, travel, hurricanes, vacations, etc., so it’s kind of nice for this summer season to be winding down. Don’t get me wrong: I really enjoyed this summer and my garden.
Although I had some wins and some losses, I feel like I become a more confident gardener each and every year. There’s always something to learn with gardening!
Here’s what’s been growing
Tomatoes
We finally got tomatoes starting in August! We had a dozen or so larger tomatoes, and then a bunch of cherry tomatoes. I even had enough to give away a few to a coworker, which was so exciting!
We also made ratatouille with a bunch of our tomatoes. This was also a good use for ugly tomatoes or those with blemishes. It also had squash, zucchini, eggplant, peppers and basil. So tasty and rustic! It involved a lot of chopping, but it was worth it.
Next year, I want to grow several cherry tomato plants, as well as some Sungolds.
Tip: Cherry tomatoes are easy to grow (and eat)!
Eggplants
Our egg-plant (get it?!) has been doing well, too. We had a few eggplants grow from it, even though the recent rainstorms have knocked off some blooms.
We made a really tasty eggplant Parmesan, too!
Here’s how we make our Eggplant Parmesan:
- Slice eggplants into 1/4-1/2″ rounds, line on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit for 15 minutes, flip and repeat on the other side.
- Create dredging station by putting a cup or two of panko (seasoned with salt and pepper) and freshly grated Parmesan into a shallow bowl. Then, whisk two eggs and a little bit of water in another shallow bowl.
- Heat a frying pan with a shallow layer of oil to medium-high heat.
- Dredge each eggplant round in the egg wash (on both sides), then into the panko mixture, pressing to make sure it sticks on both sides. Next, fry for a few minutes on each side until browned and cooked through. Dry on a paper towel and keep warm in the oven as you fry other rounds.
- Prepare your favorite spaghetti or other pasta and marina/tomato sauce, then top with freshly fried eggplant Parmesan rounds and fresh basil.
Even though we had to add an eggplant from the farmers market, it was an absolute treat to use something homegrown. I definitely want to grow eggplant again next year.
Lemons
Our Meyer lemon tree is doing really well! We didn’t expect to get any fruit the first year, but it’s happening. We have two medium-sized lemons and three tiny lemons growing. Also, when new blooms come in, they smell amazing and bees love them!
Soon when they turn yellow, then we’ll get to use them. Meyer lemon curd, anyone?!
Other things I’ve learned:
- Plants can come back after being eaten by deer (our swiss chard is proof of this!)
- Heirloom tomatoes are hard to grow from seed
- Sometimes your jalapenos don’t start growing until September
- Herbs are the best, easiest plants to grow
- Kale might just need a few years to start growing
Goals for next spring/summer garden:
- Grow Sungold and grape tomatoes
- Buy a few large tomato plants and grow a few from seeds
- Grow more eggplant
- Pick weeds more often (this got away from me when I was sick recently)