Small Batch Time

I made way for a fall seeding of various greens and pulled a few under performing tomato plants on site. I plucked the small green maters left on them because I can't seem to just let them go. Mom dropped off about 1.5lbs of tomatillos. Veg production is on the decline as the days get cooler and shorter, so it's prime time for small batch canning.

Small batch canning consists of canning one or two jars. If you can time it right you could do different types of stuff- like these pickles and salsa at the same time. Just make sure both require the same time in the hot water bath or pull some out early if one requires less time. The nice thing about small batches is it can be done quickly and without canning materials. There is a nice site called Food In Jars. The author also has a book, called Preserving By the Pint. I haven't read it, but the link above has many small batch recipes worth checking out. Today I made a Salsa Verde based on her recipe, but I roasted everything (not just the garlic & tomas).

I picked, prepped and made these in less than an hour. 15 minutes in the water bath.

 Dill Pickled Green Tomatoes

 Roasted Salsa Verde

 Post Hot Water Bath

Got my first and probably last flush of Shishitos today. I had to restart from seed 3 times. My fault. I plan to collect some seed and try to overwinter the few plants I do have in pots. Looking forward to roasting these.

Coming projects
I got this hairbrained idea to build a new geodesic greenhouse using a climbing playground set as the top. It's in the mail. Ha. This should be interesting.... pics and comments to come.

Interplanting

We've crossed over the Labor Day bridge and entered the doors of Sooncomefall. It's that weird time when part of the week is in the 90's and the other is in the 70's. You may see the first Sycamore leaves on the ground and Buckeyes and Pin Oak acorns start to drop. The garden is still bursting at the seams, but you've got winter on your mind. Must prep. 

If you haven't saturated all of your garden space, now is the time for Interplanting. 

This summer I planted cilantro & celery seed in this pot. I hardly even noticed a celery plant in here

until the cilantro threw in the towel. Now this celery is doing fabulously 

and will probably overwinter in a cold frame or hoophouse.

I interplanted below this Bell Pepper plant. 

I'll probably replant these seedlings when they are big enough.

It's hard to tell but there are little kale seedlings here. 

I dug up a new bed in hope of making this 1 of several cold frames

along the south side of the garage. 

Aside from seeding here- kale, pak choi, spinach & carrots, I stuck these

4 cauliflower plants from Dintelmann's. 

Interplanted broccoli between the tomatoes, habaneros and bell peppers. 

Another new cleaned up space for a future

cold frame. Planted by row: cilantro, turnip, mixed carrots,

dwarf siberian kale, parsley root, rutabaga, collard and purple carrots.

south side of garage

What's in Bloom

 Rigid Goldenrod & Brown Eyed Susans

 Short's Aster

Gray Goldenrod with Bumble

Putting Up or Putting By

Roasted tomato, garlic, onion, pepper & jalapeno salsa

into the freezer

It's THAT time again. I'm always mentally ready for the next season.

Let's see if I can get the garden ready.