July 2011 – Barb's Back Yard

First blackberries of the season! They are starting to ripen! This week I picked the first blackberries from my vines here at Barb's Backyard. As with most "first pickins" of the season, these were on the tart side. That's an easy fix - I can use them as part of a smoothie with other fruit and vanilla flavored almond milk, or simply drizzle a nice orange blossom honey over them. In about another week, plumper berries will present themselves, marking the first of prime blackberry picking season. My friends eagerly anticipate this time. : ) We grab the strainers and colanders and head back for the vines in the evenings. By dropping them into strainers and colanders, all we have to do is simply wash them off, and start eating! The mockingbirds are helping themselves as well....

Much of the garden knowledge I've gained came from some wonderful books. Lots of people ask me about them, so I added a new section at barbsbackyard.com for these recommendations, cleverly titled Books, gadgets & great stuff. The first book on my list is a classic. Carrots love tomatoes. First published in the 70's, I've been referring to it for about as long. What makes it so special? How easily it teaches the concept of companion planting. That means: certain plants, like good friends, when planted near each other, help each other. For example: planting carrots near leeks and onions helps repel the dreaded carrot fly, onion fly AND the leek moth! Good for both the carrot & the leek! Not to mention how much you will enjoy a delicious veggie soup with carrots & leeks come harvest time. To be direct: most of them bring a small commission to me to help defray the costs of this blog. Just click...

Month: July 2011

Blackberries have arrived in Barb’s backyard!

Books, tips and garden “how-to”