Today is Purple

I'm beginning and ending with purple today...I want to begin with sharing our first ready to cook (by roasting) purple potatoes...aren't they lovely?  Just wait until you hear how they tasted...

A couple days ago I mentioned we had to harvest all our green tomatoes because of Late Blight.  Yesterday we uprooted all the infected plants and put them in a garbage bag (can't put them in the compost because of the blight).  Yes, I did cry; I was so sad to have to destroy our first tomato plants, especially because some of them still had flowers (some of which were already affected) and though we did get green tomatoes, it still was emotional for me.  Of course, Johny reminded me that we learned a lot that we can put into practice with the next garden, (which I did know); I really appreciated the support:).

The positive from it is we have more space to plant a fall garden:).  Mountain Man had already planted some turnips and rutabagas, which have been doing well and needed thinning, so we transplanted those that we pulled (we always like to try transplanting rather than discarding; the last turnip crop responded well to transplanting, in fact we still have some in the ground).  We also planted mustard and collard greens (already sprouted, gifted to us from our friend and neighbor Charlie), more beet seeds (Mountain Man planted those along with the turnips and rutabagas, but only a few sprouted, so we planted more in a different spot), and again some radishes, which thus far we have had zero success.  Tomorrow, we will plant more bush beans (need to have the seeds soak overnight before planting, this results in higher germination rates).  Looking forward to harvesting these crops in early to late October, depending on the crop.

We are pleased with the progress in the 3 sisters garden, lots ears of corn growing, and many pole bean flowers...we've had a couple beans so far, but I think there will be lots of pole beans in the near future!  The squash is looking good as well, though we did have one fall off the vine with some rotten spots, not sure what happened there.  The rest look healthy.  We have pretty much decided we would not plant a 3 sisters garden again though...the pole beans have done exactly what they are supposed to do and have climbed up the corn stalks; but the stalks are all being bent over because of it.  Between that and the squash growing everywhere, walking through that portion of the garden is very difficult (probably because it's only 10'x10'), so we will likely just plant the 3 items separately next time.

I have a couple pictures of bees to share; I find them so beautiful, and since we were busy bee's today, and I encountered them on the way back from the garden, seemed appropriate...

 

And to end the day with purple, as promised but for the fact that I wanted to start with our purple potatoes,  this is a Great Blue Lobelia, a pretty wildflower that grows on a stalk...

About the purple potatoes, they were delicious!  Mild, light and fluffy inside, very similar to a fingerling potato, only better because we grew them ourselves!  And a pretty potato when you cut it open, lending to the appeal while dining!  Nothing beats eating vegetables fresh from the garden...it's an extravaganza for the taste buds:)!

Thanks for reading my blog, you are the best f/f/r/s/f's, see you tomorrow,
Lise