New Potatoes Call for New Potato Recipes

This one is a "do-againer"! Rich, complex flavors ... it's worth the extra effort!

I was looking for something special to do with my newly harvested potatoes. This recipe did not disappoint. I would give it 5 stars without hesitation. Delicious!

We ate by candlelight, on the screened-in-porch, with the smell of magnolia wafting about. Ahhh ... summertime in the south!

Roasted Lemon Chicken Thighs and Potatoes from fineCooking

Proof that these potatoes were grown with LOVE!

Digging Potatoes

The potatoes have been in the ground since March 6, plenty enough time to allow for mature tubers to develop underground. Plus, the plants are beginning to die back. Today's the day we dig for buried treasure!

We got quite a good haul this year ... nearly 60 pounds of potatoes, representing my best yields ever!

Here are the numbers:

Chieftain Red was the best overall producer, coming in at 22 pounds. Banana Fingerlings were not far behind at 18 pounds. We harvested 11 pounds of the gorgeous French Fingerlings and a disappointing 6 pounds of the Yukon Golds.

Of course, we found about 3 "potential" pounds of large Yukon Gold tubers that had been eaten up by shiny black millipedes and snail creatures. The entire inside of lovely potatoes, gone, turned into stinky, runny, mush. Eeewwww!

I sorted through all the potatoes, gently knocking off dirt, setting aside tubers exhibiting any sign of damage or the beginning of root growth. (Those potatoes would be destined for our dinner plates tonight) The rest are laid out on newspaper in the basement to cure for a few days before being boxed / bagged up for long term storage.

Heading into summer ...

The jade bush beans are ready to pick NOW and the pole beans will be mature next week. Several cucumbers coming off the vine today. Blueberries coming on strong.

New Potatoes

Last night we ate our first potatoes of the season... so creamy and delicious! The big one weighed in at 8-1/4 ounces. If these specimen are any indication, we're in line for our best-ever potato crop!

Hi kitty!

Blueberry Protection

The birds have been enjoying our blueberries a bit too much! I don't mind sharing a few, but they are quicker than we at picking the just-ripe berries. Last year was the first year we got next to NO blueberries. We don't want that to happen again. Our project this weekend was to take action.

First, we draped the bushes with bird netting. What a mess THAT was! I don't recommend it. We actually pulled off a lot of immature berries simply trying to get the thing in place. Plus, no easy way to pick! So, on to plan B... build a bird net cage around the blueberry bed.

Rouse the Spouse utilized pvc piping that we had on-hand, typically used to make the structures that support the fabric row covers that protect our crops over the winter months. Then, he wrapped it all in bird netting, being sure to make a gate at one end for access to pick. It looks good, and it works!

pvc piping good for lightweight framing

lovely how the sun shines off the netting

my happy problem solver

Shallot Harvest

laid out and drying in the shed

Rascally Rabbit

I found this baby bunny in the house on June 4. I'm guessing it was brought in by the cat. Thankfully, there were no signs of injury. I easily caught it in our granddaughter's pink butterfly net. It was perfectly calm as I released it into the side yard, taking time to nibble some clover before hopping away.

Fast forward to today, June 13. As Rouse the Spouse and I were installing bird netting to protect the blueberries, we noticed Bunny Rabbit IN the garden! I hollered and it ran straight to a gap in the chicken wire fence installed to keep OUT such critters. We obviously need some fence mending.

Garlic Harvest

Harvested the garlic yesterday. What a heavenly smell wafting up off those plants as I spread them out on the ground to begin the drying process! Later, I tied them up in bundles to hang in the shed until dry and cured. The goal is to fully dry the papery wrappers while retaining the moisture and oils of the bulbs, a process that will take about two weeks. We've got a rainy week coming up... not the most ideal drying situation. I may have to bring them indoors, to a less humid environment.

Garlic

Last Salad Turnips - First Cucumbers

Beet Roots

Roasted beets tonight! and greens tomorrow...