Hello Limas!

A newcomer to the veg garden...Lima beans! I raised these from seed on my kitchen window sill. I figured it was time to plant them when they started trying to undo the window latch. They demand a long hot season, so PNW gardeners are warned not to try them. I think we may be in for a hot one this summer though, it is an El Nino year, and we may have a drought ahead by the look of our modest snow pack in the mountains. So Limas do your best.

Spring Gazpacho

I used red onion in this batch and turned the lovely soup purple. However it still tasted like a Bloody Mary so I was happy.

4 ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped
1 fennel bulb, chopped
3/4 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp pepper
1 T peanut oil
1 large garlic clove, mashed
1 small onion, chopped
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 T lemon or lime juice
3/4 tsp fresh Oregano, chopped
1 tsp Salt

Bring the chopped fennel to a boil in 1 1/4 cups salted water. Reduce to simmer, covered for 10 minutes. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, adding the spices, garlic and onion. Cook gently for 5 minutes. Add all the remaining ingredients including the fennel and the boiled water. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Blend slightly and chill for at least a few hours before serving.

Lettuce Harvest!

I'm so happy to see the mesclun salad mix has not been eaten here in the garden. Looks like it's about sandwich time.

After the Rain

The Japanese Iris bloomed today. It's a dark blue in person, the afternoon light tinted it violet.






A large patch of Japanese Iris in the back garden, about to bloom.

Peony in bloom.

Centaurea, a gift from Helga's garden.