Jewell Gardens in Skagway, Alaska

I recently had the opportunity to visit the biggest state in the union. And of course on this trip of a lifetime if I was going to choose an excursion, that excursion would necessarily include a garden whose produce was used in the kitchen.

That garden was Jewell Gardens in Skagway, Alaska, otherwise known as the garden city of Alaska. Jewell Gardens is also known for its glassworks which you see incorporated into the garden.

I loved how kale was incorporated as an ornamental in this garden. It was simply beautiful. The cook however did not make a dish including kale. He used the rhubarb which I carried back from the garden to make a rhubarb sauce. Rhubarb is not native to Alaska, but was and is an extremely important plant to the Alaskans. Years ago it was brought in to help prevent scurvy and today it is used because it just tastes good. I can attest to this having tasted the sauce the cook made.

So when you think of Alaska and think of the dark and cold in the wintertime, remember, they also get a great deal of sun in the summer which is something these sun loving plants just adore. There is more to Alaska than snow and if you ever get a chance to visit this beautiful state, I highly recommend you take it.

The Garden in Fall

Autumn is upon us here in mid Michigan, even though the sun in shining and the temperature is warm. No matter. The days are shorter and that undeniable fall smell is in the air. That does not mean that the garden is done or that there is no color to behold. Fortunately for us Sedum Autumn Joy is now coming into its own. And its own is a spectacular maroon color that will continue right up to frost. I love how this plant continues to change throughout the fall and the birds love that I don't cut it down until spring.

Okay, this picture doesn't look like much. But I planted some winter rye beneath the straw this week and am hoping that I watered it well enough to germinate and grow this fall. If it does I will turn it under next spring to provide nourishment for next year's garden. I have not tried this before, but I figured what the heck. Anything to feed my vegetables next year.

The kale is still going strong in the fall garden. I have planted different varieties including one called dinosaur which has some spectacular leaves. This plant may still be there after frost. And then it will be time to plant garlic. Everything to look forward to! Yes, that is September indeed.

Putting Food By

This is the lovely time of year. The tomatoes I picked today were picture perfect. And just as tasty, unlike what you buy in the grocery store in January. September is prime tomato eating time. But since I still crave tomatoes in January I put food by. This food dehydrator works just fine for cut up Juliet tomatoes. Once they are dry I will store them in a cool dry place and then use them on salads come January. They add a nice crunch and they taste good.

Other varieties of tomatoes I grew this year include Cream Sausage, Roma VF, Kellogg's Breakfast and the Great White tomato. Using a food mill I have processed the latest batch (all together) into a sauce that is currently cooking on the stove. Soon I will freeze it and have it available for spaghetti sauce and soups this winter.

My only regret is that my freezer is just about full. I am seriously debating getting a small freezer, but my house is so small I don't know where I would put it. I suppose I could always get rid of the kitchen table!

Reblooming Perennials

There are some perennials that just keep on giving. And giving. The yarrow I grow is a variety called Paprika and here it is almost September with more flowers on it.

The butterfly weed has also bloomed again. All I do is cut back the spent flowers and if I get lucky later on in the summer (meaning now) these flowers decide to give another show.

I couldn't be happier with the purple coneflower. This plant started blooming back in July and I still have some good looking flowers out there. I generally don't cut this plant back as the birds like the dried seed heads from it.

Yes, annuals are the plants that will give you flowers all summer long. But some perennials do pretty well if what you are looking for is long blooming plants.

Growing Up

I live in a small house on a small city lot. Although I try to use the space I have to the best of my ability, sometimes I find that I just don't have enough. Space that is.

One way to solve this dilemma is to put that ugly chain link fence to good use. Since I know that when I plant gourds in the vegetable garden they tend to travel from one end of the garden to the other I decided this year to try growing this aggressive plant up the chain link fence that separates my yard from the neighbors. It didn't take long for a couple of seeds to cover the fence and soon I will have some nice ornamental gourds for fall display.

So if you run out of space like me, and you have a fence available, put it to work. You'll be glad you did!

Pesto Time

Since I recently finished the last batch of pesto that I froze last fall I decided it was time to make some more. I plant different types of basil including Genovese, Mammoth and Serrata, all of which work great in pesto.

Recipe for Pesto

4 cups fresh basil leaves minced

5 cloves of garlic minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup minced pine nuts

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

3/4 cup olive oil

Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Then I freeze the pesto in small portions by using a muffin tin. Eventually these will be put in freezer bags.

So, if you are like me and like your pesto, that is the number one reason to plant both basil and garlic in your garden. There is nothing like it!

A Little Bit Crazy for Dill

I have been growing dill in my garden for the past 25 years. It is one herb I could not do without. Why? Well, it passes the reliability test; I can always count on it. I used to worry about where it might self seed, but no more. I tend to let it do its thing since I like how it looks, no matter which flower bed it decides to be a part of. I am thinking of sowing a few seeds in the front garden as well. Tomatoes didn't work there (not enough sun) but I suspect dill will like it just fine.

Dill is a trouble free plant that self seeds, looks great in flower arrangements, lasts a long time and you can cook with it. What more could you ask of a plant!

Providing ornamentation in the garden can get to be an expensive hobby. That is why if have the opportunity to reuse something I jump on board and do it. This mirror has found a place showing off the cardinal flower behind my shed. It used to hang in my bathroom, but when I remodeled the bathroom it could either go out with the trash, or go out to the garden. I am glad to have found some use for it. The birds like it too!