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- Salmon-Colored Salvia Flower
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- Red Salvia Flowers
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- Salvia Seeds
Early in the Fall, Salvia seeds were collected —to be stored over winter and then planted in the Spring.
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About Christine
Posts by Christine
How to collect seeds from heirloom okra
Heirloom Okra, Summer 2014
Due to the extremely busy Spring and Summer growing and harvesting seasons, there was little time to document things going on in the garden. Continue reading
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Baked Sweet Potato “fries”!
Fresh Sliced Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potato Slices on Cookie Sheet
Sweet Potato “Fries”
Here’s a great way to make a nutritious side dish — or excellent snack — from sweet potatoes.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit on convection roast (or 365 without convection)
- Wash and cut an unpeeled sweet potato into thin slices.
- Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray oil (or use a spray device to thinly coat the cookie sheet with olive oil).
- Place slices onto the cookie sheet and bake for 20 to 22 minutes (to desired texture).
- If a more crispy outer edge is desired, briefly pan-fry (use a thin coating of olive or other oil — pecan oil adds an interesting flavor!) the slices.
- Serve Hot!
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Last Figs Harvested for 2014—the LSU Purple Fig!
LSU Purple Figs, Nov. 2014
These dark-purple figs (LSU Purple) were picked on November 16, 2014, just days after the first freeze of the year.
The tree–planted 3 years ago—produced figs in early summer, and again in late Fall. The fig must be deep purple before it is ripe enough to pick, but once ripe it is quite sweet! Although the numbers of figs picked at one time were small (about 10 each time), they were perfect for an unexpected fruity snack!
The tree has little problem with the rust fungus that usually defoliates the Alma Fig tree–located about 10 feet away—during late summer.
We have 3 fig varieties; Alma, LSU Purple, and the one planted two years ago from a cutting of a large fig found growing wild in a friend’s pasture. That third tree is about 18 inches tall; it produced 3 figs in early summer, and 5 figs in late Fall. It reminded me of one that grew in my family’s back yard about 35 years ago….can hardly wait to sample what it produces next year!
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How to Propagate Roses by Cuttings!
Rose Cuttings, Oct/Nov 2014
With the dreary days of late Fall here in zone 8b, it is time to propagate roses by making cuttings. With 14 different heirloom roses, I picked a few of my favorites — and my mother gave me one of hers — for propagation by cuttings. Continue reading
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Harvesting Sweet Potatoes
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- Freshly Dug Sweet Potatoes (Oct. 2014)
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- Sweet Potatoes Harvested October 2014
This is the first year we tried to grow sweet potatoes and we were pleasantly surprised when we realized how well they grew! Continue reading
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Why is NutSedge soooo Hard to Control?
Sedge
If you’ve ever noticed that Sedge grass appears to multiple the more it is pulled up, you understand my frustration: weeding it out of the garden area is nearly impossible!
Sedge has an extensive rhizome system that creates bulbous structures at the ends. When pulled, the bulbous structure often remains underground, and when isolated from the above ground leafy structures, that bulbous structure begins sending out even more rhizomes to create even more bulbs and above ground foliage. Continue reading
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Rose Blooms Return with Fall Weather
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- Belinda’s Dream, Oct 2014
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- ‘Grandma’s Yellow’ Rose, Oct. 2014
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- Chrysler Imperial, Climbing; Oct. 2014
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- Iceberg, Climbing; Oct. 2014
With the cooler Fall weather, the roses are again blooming in the gardens. The blooms will continue until the first heavy frost or freeze.
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Sweet Potato & Canadian Bacon Recipe
A great recipe for a late morning brunch.
Sweet and Salty Brunch
Sweet & Salty Brunch – 1
1 Cup Pecans (or Walnuts)
½ Large Onion
2 Medium Sweet Potatoes (or 1 large)
1 / 2 pound lean Canadian Bacon
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
½ cup water
1 large Skillet
1 small Skillet
(Parsley Garnish, if desired)
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- Diced Sweet Potatoes
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- Diced Onions
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- Combine cooked ingredients
Peel and Dice Sweet Potatoes, add to a large skillet with 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil.
Dice ½ large onion, add to sweet potatoes in the large skillet.
Cook Sweet Potatoes and Onions on Medium heat about 10 minutes, until tender.
Add ½ cup water, cover and steam for about 5 minutes until sweet potatoes are soft.
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- Diced Canadian Bacon
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- Cook Separately
Dice Canadian bacon.
If not fully cooked, cook the Canadian bacon in an alternate pan until done, then add to the sweet potato/onion mixture.
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- Combine cooked ingredients
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- Serves 2 to 4
Add 1 cup chopped Walnuts or Pecans.
Stir and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot as a Breakfast or Brunch Entre.
Makes 2 to 4 servings, depending on serving size.
Garnish with Parsley if desired.
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How to Collect and Store Seeds from 4 o’clocks
With Fall well on it’s way, many of the summer blooming heirloom plants are producing seeds–the 4 o’clocks are no exception. With three different colors—each a pass along gift from special friends and family—I’m determined to ensure that I will have more next year! Continue reading
The Art & Science of Gardening 