This Year's Garden

As we continue to prepare this year's garden, here is a note about what we have in so far:

Potatoes, tomatoes, leeks, onions, sage, mint, lavender, rhubarb, horseradish, turnips, carrots, cabbage, lettuce and dill.

Yesterday we planted some beans called "Ireland Creek Annie Bean," an heirloom shell bean with a bush habit with "superb delicious flavor, makes its own thick sauce." I'll let you know about that later in the season.

Also some wax beans, some Edamame Soy beans, some Cilantro (which I LOVE) some Borage, more dill, and some castor beans.

Castor beans are not for eating - they are highly toxic. This particular variety is a red-leaf variety. Castor plants are tropical guys, but will grow as seasonal annuals here in zone 7. Why in the world would I have a poisonous plant in my garden, you may wonder. They are spectacularly ornamental, true, but Grandma Susie always had a castor plant out by her garden behind her house. She said they kept the gophers out of the garden, so we'll see about that, too.

I still have green beans, pole beans, squashes, cucumbers, pumpkins, and tomatillos to plant. Oh, and Sweet Potatoes, when the slips come in. I have a bed saved for the Sweet Potatoes :)

Will keep you posted!