The Akron Urban Homestead

The garden is in.  It’s been in for a while  but it’s been so busy here I haven’t had time to post.  The plants were actually put in the ground early in May.  They are doing quite well.  We had a few days where they needed shelter from frost (Steve build hoop houses over them), and they survived!

We went to raised beds this year  (pictures coming soon) since we had a problem with Fusarium Wilt last season which killed all our pepper plants in the garden.  It affected our tomatoes as well, but they still produced fruit.  The cost of the soil for the raised beds was pricey, but it was worth it.  We wouldn’t be able to plant peppers this season without them.  We had people asking about Steve’s salsa last year but we didn’t have any peppers to make it.  We also didn’t have our supply of “Chili Fixin’s.”  The biggest disappointment was that we didn’t have any Paprika Peppers.  I have had to buy Paprika (ugh).  I have been using the hot paprika and smoked paprika very sparingly over the winter months.  It is almost gone.  Grow faster….please!  

It was a very disappointing season.  We have very high hopes for this season.

So here is what we have planted for the 2012 season:

Alma Sweet Paprikas
Hungarian Paprikas
Green Bells
Mortgage Lifter (heirloom tomatoes)
Black Krim Tomatoes
Amish Paste Tomatoes
Basil
Calendula (I am quickly finding out that I didn’t plant nearly enough for my needs)
Green Beans
Chamomile
Zuchinni
Peppermint
Lemon Balm
Rosemary
Thyme
Cucumbers
Potatoes
Lettuce
Carrots
Spinach
Onions

We also have our usual perennials which came back with gusto again this season:
Strawberries (2 quarts so far this season)
Parsley
Sage
Oregano
Chives
Raspberries
Grapes (This may the first season it produces fruit.  Keeping our fingers crossed.)

I pray for a hearty productive season.  We have been very blessed in years past and after last season’s losses we have come to appreciate even more a fruitful season.

Happy sunshine and gentle rains!

Lisa

Okay, it’s 2:30 and we’ve moved into the kitchen to complete the process.  We have a 4 quart stock pot left.  A couple more hours to go and we’ll filter the remaining liquid into the smaller stock pot.  Hopefully, we’ll be done by 8:00 tonight.

Anyway, here is a picture of the large stock pot which was just about an inch below the rim when we brought it in the house.  So far so good.  :)

The last 4 quarts of sap boiling away.

Happy day!

Lisa