Lemon Balms and Perilla

Ottawa City, Ontario, Canada
June 16th, 2013

The leaves of lemon balm are added to my lunch  and so as perilla.
I found that lemon balm leaves are smaller than perilla.
The undersides of Perilla is also purplish - while lemon balm is plain green.

Pineapple Sage

Ottawa City, Ontario, Canada
June 16, 2013

Pineapple Sage
Salvia elegans

I was fascinated by anything with Pineapple in it, you can guess right. I grew up around pineapple - sweet and prickly fruit which taste very yummy.

So, as I browse Loblaws garden center, I saw Pineapple sage, I picked it up and came home staring at it. It looks so different the than the other sage, the leaves are pointy as opposed to oblong with Common Sage.

USES of SAGE FOR ME: 

And guess what? it is suppose to have red flowers (hummingbird's favorite) . I cannot wait till it flowers.

And of course, the leaves are edible. Think of garnishing my stir fries? I always use the young leaves to add to my summer stove top cooking! try it, the flavor is mild and aromatic.

It is known to have anti-depressant properties...so on dull winters, I could use this one. I think I will really bring this plant inside for winter. :) Tea infusion is something on my list!
Oh dear sage...

Also, excellent when mixed with lemon balm for steep tea. Awesomeness - that is why I have lots of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) around me.

And another cool refreshing drink is Blackberry sage. This is made of infusion of sage leaves and blackberries. Think flavored water. The way I do it, I chopped sage leaves and add blackberries to it. Add ice cubes, let is sit...stir and there goes naturally flavored water. I know my aunt like to strain her water after 3 hours, she does not like floating leaves and berries in her summer drink.


The stems are of reddish/burgundy hues, just like the Tri-color sage which I also own.

My pineapple sage, this picture show reddish/burgundy stems.

my pineapple sage, this picture shows the pointy leaves as opposed to oblong. 

So, hello summer...and welcome Pineapple Sage to my garden!


PROPAGATION/PLANT CUTTINGS:
And I took 3 cuttings, stick it in dirt. Of the 3 of them, is now flourishing. So, if you got harsh winter (Zone 5b here), you can take cuttings in the fall, to save buying for the next season.


Totally loving this Pineapple Sage. looking forward to many recipes for the season with Pineapple sage.
Nutrients in Sage (1)  2.00 tsp [1.4 grams)
sage contains a variety of volatile oils, flavonoids (including apigenin, diosmetin, and luteolin), and phenolic acids, including the phenolic acid
Vitamin K - 30%. Vitamin K is an essential nutrients, some even take supplements for it.
Vitamin K (2) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is most well known for the important role it plays in blood clotting. However, vitamin K is also absolutely essential to building strong bones, preventing heart disease, and crucial part of other bodily processes. In fact, vitamin K is sometimes referred to as "the forgotten vitamin" because its major benefits are often overlooked.

Totally loving this Pineapple Sage. Looking forward to many recipes for the season with Pineapple sage.

References:

(1) Worlds Healthiest Foods http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=76
(2) Mercola.com - http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/03/24/vitamin-k-part-two.aspx

Rainy Day, 14C, Harvest of Herbs and Good Day!

Mirabilis jalapa (marvel of peru, 4 o clock) RAIN! Week

June 6, 2013
Ottawa City, Ontario, Canada

It has been raining all day, and i took some pictures of my 4 o clock seedlings yesterday. I always love these flowers, despite being annuals and such. But it is from my home town, so I keep it. :)

2013 Mirabilis jalapa seedling

Impatiens Balsamina (Rose Balsam) VS. Himalayan Balsam

June 6th, 2013
Ottawa City, Ontario, Canada


I have been asked recently if kamantigui, touch-me-not,  rose balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is perennial here in my Zone 5b. The answer is No.

Many people has mistaken the impatiens balsamina as the himalayan balsam, which is also known as Poor Mans orchid, and touch-me-not (exploding seed pods), and is considered invasive and tall, and keeps coming back.

Well - i tell you. Both rose balsam and himalayan balsam have exploding seed pods. They both look the same. However, the rose balsam will not grow tall, maybe 3 feet is the tallest I have seen. And rose balsam flowers does not survive freezing cold. In fact, I tried winter sowing the seeds of rose balsam and none showed up.

Himalayan Balsam grows tall, the one in my backyard was like 5 feet at least. and it was pretty, but of course, the seeds did not survive because I was tilling my soil in spring...and none showed up. They said Himalayan balsam is invasive, but "no show" in my garden.
None so far here, I would love to see it come back.


http://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/plants-terrestrial/himalayan-balsam/

|Rose Balsam 2013 seedlings

Rose Balsam Seedlings

rose balsam seedlings 2013

rose balsam 2012 (fall)

Pakchoi (Bokchoy)

june 4, 2013
ottawa city, ontario, canada

here are my pak-choi this season, and they are lovely and seemed to be flowering.

the seed pods - yay!

Chamomile, Chervil, Flat Italian Parsely, Vertissimo Chervil, Marjoram (sweet Marjoram)

June 3, 2013

Monday
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I went to grab some apples and crackers with the kids today, and I cannot stop myself from buying herbs. I love them, and these are always useful to repel random bugs that might eat my produce.

Those, I always buy them 1, 2 or 4 up to what I can fit in a bag. Today, it was $2.99 per pot, and I came home with a bill of $16.90. I should start tallying what I spend on plants, after all, these are not included my budget.

My finds for the day are:

• flat italian parsely - Pertoselinum crispum (2)
• chamomile - Chamaemelum nobile
• vertissimo chervil - Anthriscus cerefolium
• Sweet Marjoram - Origanum marjorana

herbs galore!

marjoram

flat italian parsely

chervil

chamomile

chamomile

I re-potted them today, and put in individual pots. It seems to me that every herb is pot bound and choke in its own roots. It is the economy of space probably, but then it is just me. Probably, I will try to share this with other gardeners for $1 per plant, or end up giving it away to gardening friends. 

While I know I will be using these herbs for my cooking and also companion plants for my garden, sometimes, it bothers me that it is not budgeted. Sort of impulse buying, anyone can relate? 

Cucumber (Burpless) Lebanese Type

May 31, 2013
Ottawa City, Ontario, Canada

Two days ago, I went for a walk along Loblaws and check the seeds isle. I know my cucurbits did not do well, and I am so sure what to do with myself and all the plans I have of having a jungle in my backyard this year.

So, I picked up some more Cucumber. It said 55 days, so if we say its approximate days to fruit, around July 25, I will have cucumber fruits. Maybe, just a fruit...not yet ready to harvest? I know, I have this doubt that it maybe too late for direct seeding. But then, maybe it is the start of it. Who knows? I never mastered this ottawa weather...so let's hope and pray.

the packet says " great tasting cucumber from middle east, plants bear fruits of 15 cm (6 inches). plant seed directly". So maybe, this is the one we can find in the grocery stores, package of 6 of them?

Mushrooms anyone?

May 29, 2013
Ottawa City, Ontario, Canada

I used to gather mushrooms after rain and thunder in the Philippines. I found these mushrooms under the tree, here in Canada in my backyard. I love to cook these with mint and chives, but still - I am not sure if these are edible. Anyone knows?

Columbine - Yellow

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
May 24, 2013

                                                Yellow columbine in Winn's garden.

I save the seeds around Fall 2012.  My winter sown  seeds are half way there. I think they will not flower this year, but maybe next year. So here is me hoping...for a nice yellow flower like this one:)

Sage Tricolor

Ottawa City, Ontario, Canada
May 24, 2013


                                 I really like this plant, and I like to keep this inside until winter.:)

I will take some cuttings and see if this will root in water.

Spring is Here! Version 2

May 24, 2013
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I seriously think spring is finally here. It is now raining for the week and my perennials are slowly growing back to life.

Previously,  after the snow melted, the temperature climbed to 22 C and everyone screamed summer - that is including me. The gardening season looks weird, as I meditate when to plant beans, and when I did, the nice were so frosty, that it was frozen and looks awful.

Finally, the second week of May, rain come in and life came back, and so as the dirt in my fingernails. I said dirt, not chalk dust from rock climbing, but real dirt (black gold).

So, I found $20 yesterday, and I thought I can buy happiness with it. At least....if it last for the whole summer season, then happiness for a price tag of $20.

Here is what I got from my $20 price tag  of happiness.

Coleus "Honey Crisp"

Coleus Stained Glassworks "Luminesce"

Coleus Stained Glassworks "Eruption"

SAGE, Tri-color

Seedlings For Sale

1.) $3 · Seedlings: Basella rubra and Basella alba

 (Tropical Spinach)

For sale: Basella alba, Basella rubra (tropical spinach)
1 plant per pot = $3

This is a unique heirloom climbing spinach, very common in the Philippines.
We call this plant alugbati. It is edible, and safe for children and pets.

i planted some in my garden last year, and i have decent harvest despite the heat wave. Heat loving, climbing spinach. Something edible to cover an ugly fence as well.

I am a home gardener in the South Keys area, who love to garden using organic and heirloom seeds. I originally acquired these seeds last year, and tested in my backyard garden.

All pictures here are of my plants in my own garden.


2. ) For sale: Organic, Heirloom Miniature White Cucumber Seedlings
(one seedling per pot) -$3 each

I am a home gardener in the South Keys area, who love to garden using organic and heirloom seeds. I originally acquired these seeds last year, and tested in my backyard garden. Crisp 2-3 inches long white cucumber, very unique. 

I have save my seeds, and I germinated more than enough for my small garden. You will not find these heirloom seedlings at the garden center, so here is your chance to plant something organic, heirloom in your garden. 

it is miniature, so mine was planted in 5 gallon buckets with a tomato trellis. 

The pictures are of my own plant from last year. 

Needs hardening, I would not plant this yet. I'd say last week of May, so reserve yours now. 

Angie

Victoria Day Weekend - and the Cucurbits are Out!

Ottawa City, ON, Canada

Victoria day weekend!
i'm tired after the day's work in the garden!