As I did our morning walk through of the garden, I am actually quite surprised that so much is surviving the Southern heat and humidity we have sadly come to accept as normal. There are a few plants that have not only pleased but superseded our expectations. We wanted to share Bain Home Garden’s top 5 favorite plants for the  2018 Spring/Summer growing season.

White Cherry Tomatoes

We got these guys last growing season and planted them late. I was a bit frustrated with how slow the plants grew; we pulled some of the tomatoes right before a freeze but  in our effort to ripen them off vine, the little babies went bad. So this Spring we gave it another shot. We planted many different varieties of tomatoes but this one has been by far the tastiest! Much self-control is required to not eat them right from the vine! No lie!

These plants have been extremely productive and disease resistant. When other tomatoes had succumb to heavy rains, the White Cherry Tomato plants survived. Whenever they do actually make it into the house, we chop and add to a tomato, cucumber, onion, and vinegar salsa of sorts. We store in a mason jar in the fridge. Very tasty.

Blue Shelling Pea

Something you will come to know about me is that I love purple! I’m attracted to most things purple, ESPECIALLY PLANTS! So you already know what happened when I saw these guys! They were pretty prolific producers and added such beauty to the garden this spring! Watching them grow was such a joy! We caught a few of them mid-transition from green to purple. These will be on our regular rotation of peas going forward.

They were so heavy with pods that our trellises had to be reinforced – all to no avail – they just kept falling! It was irritatingly funny! The bees really enjoyed the flowers. The photos just do not do justice!

These peas were pleasantly easy to shell but also stored well in whole pods. We froze a quart and actually just ate them. Mm-mm good!

Turkish Orange Eggplant

So these ladies just make me happy! It really looks like an orange growing on a mini tree. In the case of the photo below, it looks like a mini pumpkin! This heirloom eggplant is absolutely gorgeous!

They have not been prolific in production by any means & take forever to begin harvesting, however, the taste is well worth the wait! The skin is tender and the taste is sweeter & far less bitter that other eggplant varieties we have tried over the years! Due to the thinner skin we have found the shelf life to be shorter than other varieties – likely why it is not available in the grocery stores. For you container gardeners out there – this is an excellent selection to become acquainted with. We planted four in pots and they are doing just as well as the ones in the ground.

Poona Kheera Cucumber

I had a difficult time keeping these seedling alive but eventually found the recipe for success! Glad I did! These have become my pride and joy this growing season. From India, this heirloom is very resistant to diseases that most cucurbita fall prey to. They mature to a unique russet potato color after going through color changes from green to yellow to an almost golden orange-yellow. While our other cucumbers were being attacked by squash bugs, this plant stood its ground and was unaffected!

Some of the fruit got quite large and from those we made dill pickles but the smaller ones went in to our salsa we referred to earlier. With a taste that is lighter and sweeter than your average cucumber, it really is a good option for ones who haven’t been friends with cucumbers in the past.

Red & Green Malabar Spinach

Not a spinach at all, this particular plant loves the summer heat & humidity, so we decided to grow it simply because we wanted to ensure we had leafy greens for salads even during summer heat. This is why this selection made our favorite list. In areas that do not have cold winters it is a perennial. It is a vine, yet we have noticed the green variety, because of a thicker stem, can support its own weight without use of a trellis while the red variety definitely needs one. The leaves get VERY LARGE, so much so that there are recipes online for stuffed Malabar Leaves! This is definitely not one for everyone. The leaves are thicker than spinach and have mucilaginous texture that can be off-putting for some. Our Bain Home Garden salad blend, mixes it with other summer lettuces which balances out the flavor very well!

What plants have you found to be prolific or just plain horrible thus far this growing season? Follow us on Facebook and feel free to share your faves and not so favorites with us in the comments sections of this post.

What will we be experimenting with the fall growing season? Stay tuned, this is just about to get FUN!

Cooking is something we all must do at some point in our lives. Some enjoy it while others loathe it. To most it is a chore to check off the daily to do list. On the other hand, some find it to be a source of relaxation. I find it usually depends on how an individual is raised. Cooking can be nostalgic, throwing one back into the kitchen with mom or grandma. No matter how you view cooking, the goal is to eat, preferably tasty meals. We use an abundance of spices in our home. Early Sunday mornings in the garden often come to an abrupt end when the aroma from the kitchen hits our noses. “Dad is up!” The kiddos announce as we all put away our tools and head in for breakfast. What a nice way to start the day.

In the past – my pre-farmer days – fresh herbs were something I thought of as unnecessary. That all changed when I purchased an organic Rosemary plant from Publix sometime ago. That evening I made spaghetti & for the first time with fresh Rosemary! Not much was needed to invigorate the house with the most delightful aroma! I was hooked! Cooking is even more exciting when you take creative control and using fresh herbs is the best way to do so. Whether cooking with them or using medicinally, fresh herbs are definitely underestimated!

Rosemary

Rosemary serves as a stimulant for the circulatory system. This means it increases the blood flow to your brain which in turn can boost memory and concentration. Simply having a pot of Rosemary in your home it a big help. Agitate the leaves occasionally and enjoy as the scent lifts your mood as it is also used for its antidepressant factors.

Basil

I find excuses to use this herb – particularly since I found out that it has anti-inflammatory properties! Yes! The essential oils within the plant contribute to this effect. In addition to that, new studies show that Basil even has antibacterial properties as well! Recently I have adjusted my Cucumber Lemon Detox to include Basil and it really elevates the flavor!

At the suggestion of a friend, we inter planted it among our Swiss Chard. Now every time we harvest Chard we are rewarded with the notable fragrance of Basil!

Thyme

This herb is one that we are just getting familiar with. I do love the aroma. We use in tomato based dishes but also find that it keeps laundry fresh. Place a sprig or two on the shelves of your linen closest or dresser

drawers for a nice treat. I have heard that the fresh leaves can be used in teas but I have yet to take on that adventure.

Currently, along with Rosemary, we grow several types of Basil from Thai to Blue Spice, Thyme, Cilantro, & Parsley. In our area, Zone 8, many of these are a sort of perennial, in that they overwinter well as long as you bring them in before a freeze. One of my life goals is to have herbs growing EVERYWHERE! Until then, we will, as my mom used to say, “Work with what ya got.”

Do you have herbs in your garden? Have special recipes including fresh herbs? Please follow our Facebook or Instagram page and share.

Today has not been a typical.  In fact, the past three days have been a bit more upside down than usual. Grandpa would say, “Turn that frown upside down Shena-Weena.”  At times that is more difficult to do than others albeit not impossible.  Today is one of those days.  As I sit on my couch looking at the beautiful day moving right along without me – a war wages within me.

It becomes increasingly clear with each year I age that my struggle with arthritis, secondary to Spina Bifida, will not get any easier.  In short, Spina Bifida is a congenital birth defect in which the spinal cord does not develop as it should. Thankfully, due to advancing technologies & medicine, Spina Bifida is becoming less and less heard of.  My case, though not severe, has been the source of some 28 surgeries in my 35 years of life, thus the arthritis. The pain associated with it renders me useless many days so I really really treasure the good days.  Decreased mobility is an issue for many who share my diagnosis, including myself, which make a healthy eating routine paramount! Excessive weight gain further limits an already limited individual. Starting to see why gardening is so important to us? Those who know me personally know that most days I’m clueless as to my limitations but on days like today, there is no way to deny it.  It is easy to feel sorry for oneself but I find that counterproductive! It never actually makes anyone feel better.

To those with limited physical ability, this is for you – DO NOT GIVE UP! Do not let anyone tell you what you cannot do! Find joy and happiness in small victories for the large victories are far and in between. This beauty (photo left) is planted right at our front door.  So on the days I come home so drained I can barely lift my legs to get up the steps – this is what I see.  I pause for a moment even through smoldering heat to take in its beauty. Though not fully mature, this unique Indian Heirloom has made my whole day better.  In its beautiful silence, it made me smile.  It is a quiet reminder that hard work pays off and success is possible, even for little ole me.

Have any victories you would like to share? Follow on our Facebook page  or Instagram page & share away!