Ok, I know it’s way late in the day, but… at least it’s still Friday!! Something really exciting happened today.
Our aquaponics system arrived! I was out running earlier in the day and when I got home there was a note on my door saying I had missed a freight delivery and would have to come pick it up. At first I was a little confused… freight delivery? We’ve moved a bazillion times so we’ve had a few freight deliveries… but I wasn’t exactly expecting any household goods today. It took me a minute, but I finally realized it must be the aquaponics system! Then I realized there was no way we could possibly pick up a freight delivery, so I frantically called the phone number on the note. Luckily, the driver hadn’t gone far and was able to turn around and come back! He offloaded two huge pallets full of stuff. Right now it’s sitting in our garage, but hopefully we will get to set some of it up this weekend!
As for other garden progress, there hasn’t really been any. Nick was out of town for work two weekends in a row, so we didn’t get a chance to do any more work. He is hoping to get started on building the greenhouse tomorrow.
Since our garden shrunk to half it’s previous size, I haven’t been harvesting too much. I am getting lots of kale (and broccoli leaves… which can be eaten like any dark leafy green!), which I’ve been using in omelets galore. I also made my Autumn Shepherd’s Pie this week and used kale and broccoli leaves in place of the spinach. Terrible picture, but, there you have it…
I also have been harvesting butter lettuce for sandwiches! I’m so proud this lettuce survived all winter. I know, I know. What do you mean all winter, it’s only the beginning of February. Well, it was mid-70’s here all week, so I think it’s safe to say we won’t be having another frost.
Our broccoli came up ready to harvest this week, as well.
Isn’t it pretty? Broccoli is one of the most fun things to grow! I didn’t do anything super exciting with it… just roasted it with a little olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika… my favorite way to eat broc!
To harvest the broccoli, you just slice the head off with a knife, a few inches down the stalk. After you harvest the main head, the plant will start putting out little side shoots so you can get a second mini-harvest!
Another exciting thing that happened this week: My cauliflower heads started poking out!
This was our first year growing cauliflower, and I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a total bust, so this was really exciting! They are still growing but supposedly they grow pretty fast once they flower, so hopefully we can harvest them soon. Ham and Cauliflower Gratin in my future??
We have our work cut out for us this weekend, so I am off to relax before it begins!
The broccoli looks gorgeous. I wish I had that in my backyard instead of piles of snow.
I wish it was in the 70s by me! But I’ll settle for the “warm” streak we’re having at 35 degrees now! 🙂 Your broccoli looks gorgeous and so does the cauliflower!
Thanks, Gayle! I’m a COMPLETE wimp when it comes to snow these days so I’m definitely glad it’s warm here!!
Yay, love the harvest you have! The broccoli looks gorgeous!
Such beautiful broccoli and cauliflower! Some day I am going to learn to garden. That Autumn Shepherd’s Pie sounds so good!
How fun that you are growing your own cauliflower! Can’t wait to read more about the new garden!
I am seriously SO jealous of your warm weather and all that gorgeous garden produce! I miss having a veggie garden and I’m counting down the days til April when it’ll be warm enough so we can put ours in!
Yay!! It’ll be here soon enough!
I love broccoli and cauliflower, and preparing them simply — either roasted or lightly steamed is my favorite way. I’m so envious of your garden! 🙂
Me too… they have such great flavor on their own!!
So exciting about your aquaponics system! You must keep us updated on how it goes. And hurray for cauliflower growing!