Jun 08 2007
Backyard Haven
Two days of rain + warm sun = healthy garden!
My first cauliflower! I have not grown cruciferous vegetables before, and I am happy to see it actually working. We planted four cauliflower plants, and all of them set in well, so it looks like that cauliflower soup recipe will be used pretty frequently. Yum.
Cabbage is one of my favorite vegetables - rotkohl, sauerkraut, and Tofurkey brats, anyone? :) The colors of this plant amaze me - the mix of green and purple are quite stunning.
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We planted these Concord grapes in 2003, and this is the largest batch we have ever had! There are at least 15 bunches of grapes on the plant. They are so photogenic too!
The red-orange lilies are going to pop open very soon!
…and you may recall our little pond project last year…
The plants are growing well, and some are even flowering, and the fish are loving it. And it is still 100% solar powered.
The pond continues to be a cat magnet…
…and it attracts some other wildlife (particularly amphibian) as well…
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I am a bachelorette this weekend! Already had a nice dinner with Eunny last night, and I am planning some knitting in public tomorrow for WWKIP day. With all of the free time (and the scorching temperatures) outside, I think I will have some finished knits over the weekend - stay tuned! 
that’s so awesome! there’s a great recipe for roasted cauliflower over on 20 cooks that i keep making, and i bet it would be even better with some super-fresh cauliflower. and that pond you guys built is super-cool. as a new home owner, i am filled with more ideas and skill, but your sense of adventure in your yard is inspirational!
oops–that was supposed to be 28 cooks, not 20 cooks! i can’t type…
I’m so jealous. I tried cauliflower for the first time last year and the rabbits ate every last bit. This year they have eaten six (!) of my tomato plants down to the ground. Any organic suggestions?
Oooh, what lovely pictures, I always find inspiration among my garden.
Oh, I am so jealous of all your fantastic goodies in your garden! The produce all looks so delicious. My husband and I are currently looking into buying a house, and I’m freaking out about all the details, but the one thing that really makes me feel better is knowing that if we buy a house, I’d be able to start a garden of my own (not so possible in this apartment!).
beautiful photos!! I love the kitty pond-watching.
we’re planning cauliflower for next year! very exciting.
If I didn’t know better, I would swear that is my cat sitting there. Nope, just checked, he’s upstairs giving death glares from the bed. He must have a doppleganger by you.
OH wow- I’m so impressed that you’re growing cauliflower- that’s so cool! Your garden is enviable. Have a wonderful weekend!
Fantastic. Love your garden and pond. My red-orange tiger lilies just opened a couple of days ago, right after 2 days of rain.
mmmm- your veggies are so far along!!!! mine are still tiny seedlings….
knitting in public day? man I am behind! I will be knitting and spinning in public at the Ballston Arts and Crafts Market though! (I hope it isn’t too hot!!)
So envious of your beautiful garden!
YUM!
Love all of the pictures. The cabbage looks so delicious and the pond so pretty and calming.
Looking forward to seeing what the weekend produces.
Thanks for reminding me about KIP day tomorrow.
Great garden ma’am! Lucky you, I am a single mom for a week next week. Somehow, the bachelorette thing sounds more fun… Happy knitting!
Your vegetables look wonderful. My dad always has lots of vegies growing in the garden. I had one a few years back too, although now it only has 3 tomato plants in it and one capsicum plant which both have grown very well. Cauliflower soup would be delicious. I especially love cauliflower baked in the oven with a cheese sauce to cook it in, very yummy. I can see that the kitties love the fish pond too, have there been any casualties or wet kitty cats yet.
Lovely pictures, Lolly. I’m glad you vegetables are doing so well. Cauliflower soup is quite delicious!
Apparently those cats have not read Thomas Gray’s poem, “Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat, Drowned in a Tub of Gold Fishes.”
Have a lovely weekend!
lovely to have a garden! it looks wonderful. happy knitting in public day!
Oh yes, Cabbage is one of my favorite things! My husband laughs at me at how much I can consume in one sitting.LOL I love the stuff cooked or as a salad/coleslaw! I will be trying out your idea with some min and fresh fruit tomorrow:)
Lolly,
gorgeous garden goodies!! I love cauliflower!
You must be soo proud of it!
Where will you knitting in public tomorrow?
i have opposite of green thumb. that, and the cats like to bat at plants until there are no leaves/flowers left. I’ll just continue to envy your horticulture skills, and continue cultivating my yarn stash.
Mmmmm cauliflower. Cook’s Illustrated had a delicious recipe for roasted cauliflower a couple issues back, no doubt it’s available on their website.
Your garden is looking wonderful - so colourful and fresh! Wish I had green thumbs
Wow! I love the colors in the cabbage. I had no idea that grapes would grow in our area. My daughter loves green grapes. I’ll have to look into growing some.
be sure to draw the leaves over the cauliflower head to keep it covered from the sun!
Wow! Gorgeous!!! And we could *use* you out here rocking Sonoma County!
you’ve really become quite the photographer (and gardener). i have a black thumb, but i’m trying to remedy that. i bought a hanging plant, and if i can keep it alive, i’ll go from there.
I love your garden, Lolly! It’s so inspiring and beautiful as well. One day, I want a backyard like yours!
Gorgeous photos, Lolly!
You’ve got quite a green thumb, Lolly! Beautiful!
I’m so envious of your beautiful garden–and beautiful photographs!
Lolly, will you share your cauliflower soup recipe? Please!!! Pretty please!!!!
And watch out for the kitties that they don’t decide to go swimming and fishing. Do they have a fishing license yet?
Grapes, yum! All your fruits and veggies look really delish, your fancy pants camera really shines when taking cauliflower photos!
Wow - look at your gorgeous veggies. I am so impressed - your garden looks so lovely, can I ask - do you not get slugs? Your leaves all look so perfect. Sigh…
I am thrilled to see the little frog in your pond. That is wonderful!
I planted grapes last year so I take heart that I have no fruit yet when I see yours now.
Lovely pictures, the grapes look fantastic. However I am a little concern about those two cats near than pond. A net over then top would be helpful to both the fish and those cats. I have a pond and cats I can look at your pond and just imagine my two cats sitting there.