New Tricks

I read that radishes are a good companion plant, particularly for squashes. So every time I plant, I include some radishes. I figured I could just ignore them or throw them in the compost pile when they get too big. But, there are so many of them and they grow so fast and look so good I decided I needed to learn how to eat radishes.

So far I have tried them sliced on bread and butter with salt, the French way, and that was good. I also saw a recipe for a salsa that included radishes. Unfortunately I am between ripe tomatoes so I haven't tried it yet. If anyone has suggestions I would love to hear them.



As it turns out, radishes do need sun. This one was planted among the corn , beans and zucchini and was soon smothered. But it was a plucky little thing and fought its way to the sunshine.
It's about 3' long.

And also appearing...my first black beans. People have mocked me for growing dry-type beans but I have been assured that they are much better fresh. Beware, however, dried beans MUST be cooked. They contain a chemical that will really upset your stomach if you ignore this warning (like anyone else grows these beans LOL). The last book Dick Francis wrote featured that as part of the story.


This scruffy looking bed is the workhorse of the garden. This is the herb bed and we use it daily. Cilantro, basil, and dill are it main crops, but there is also garlic. I tried ginger, too, but it never came up. Look at those beautiful dill heads. If we ever get to pickling - those are in.

Some kid named Jack sold these bean seeds to me.