What did we grow in our small backyard garden in June?
June was a fairly productive month here in the Yardibles urban garden. Our Anna Apples were ready to harvest this month as well as squash, tomatillos, tomatoes, and other yummy veggies. Here is a breakdown of what we grew in our small backyard garden in June. What we harvested this month in our small urban garden: This month includes the entire Apple & Grape harvests from the garden. This is the second year our Anna Apple has produced and was the largest harvest so far. The Red Flame Grapes did well this season as well. We harvested 6.57 pounds from one vine plus the ones we left to feed the…
What to Plant in your Arizona Low Desert Garden in July
It is heating up here in the Arizona desert, but it is not too late to plant your garden. There are loads of heat-loving plants that thrive in this scorching heat. See what to plant in your Arizona Low Desert Garden in July. Get Your July Printable Garden Guide * indicates required Email Address * FRUIT TO PLANT IN JULY: Cantaloupe If you think you missed your chance to grow some juicy cantaloupe in your garden, think again! Cantaloupe can be planted near Phoenix for most of the summer. Varieties: Charentais Cantaloupe – Heirloom Hale’s Best Jumbo Cantaloupe/Muskmelon Melon Seeds –Organic, Heirloom Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe/Muskmelon Melon Seeds – Organic,…
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde
Tomatillo season is here. One of our favorite recipes for using up bumper crops of Tomatillos is Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde. This recipe is so easy to make with just a few fresh ingredients. Growing Tomatillos When I first started growing tomatillos, I had a heck of a time getting the seeds to sprout. I have heard this from a few other people over the years. Last summer, I finally had a successful plant. I harvest most of the tomatillos but did not get to all of them picked last year, so they fell to the ground. These tomatillos composted in place and, and this year I had a HUGE…
8 Delicious ways to use Cantaloupe, Summer Recipe Ideas
Cantaloupe is so easy to grow here in Arizona. If you are a cantaloupe lover and need a few more ways to use them up, here are 8 delicious ways to use cantaloupe this summer. Related Post: How to Grow Cantaloupe Everything you need to know to grow Cantaloupe this season. 8 Delicious ways to use Cantaloupe: Recipes Here are some wonderfully tasty recipe ideas for using up your cantaloupe. Let me know which ones become your favorite Cantaloupe recipe: 1. Watermelon & Cantaloupe Skewers 2. Melon & Mozzarella Salad with Prosciutto 3. Blueberry Cantaloupe Salad 4. Cantaloupe Gazpacho with Blueberry and Basil 5. Heirloom Tomato and Cantaloupe Melon Salad…
How to grow cantaloupe in your summer garden
Cantaloupe is one of those love it or hate it type fruits. However, when it comes to growing in the summer heat, it is one of the easiest fruits to grow in the low desert of Arizona. Do you want to grow cantaloupe in your summer garden? Follow along and learn how to grow and harvest Cantaloupe. Cantaloupe throughout time The cantaloupe you are used to seeing at the store is actually a muskmelon species (Cucumis melo). Cantaloupe has been around since the 18th century. It was named after Cantaloupo, an Italian city near Rome. However, the fruit seems to have originated in Armenia. Although they are commonly known these days…
Battling Squash Bugs In The Garden Organically
Squash bugs just make me want to squish them. They have taken over a few of my squash plants this year and it has been an uphill daily battle to keep them under control. Battling squash bugs in the garden organically is no easy feat but this year, I am determined to win. What Is A Squash Bug? Squash bugs are small hard shelled flying insects that live under fallen leaves, wood and other debris in your garden. Adult squash bugs are about 1/2 inch long with a flat grey or brown back. While the nymphs, or juvenile bugs are often light grey with black legs. And those buggers are…
What did I grow on 1/4 acre in May?
Yardibles is located on a little less than a quarter-acre lot, with some of the land in an HOA governed front yard. With over 9 garden beds and other planting areas in the backyard, I thought I would share with you what I grow each month in this 1/4 acre backyard garden. You can grow a nice garden on a 1/4 of an acre! Over the past couple of months, I have been recording my garden harvests daily. I track each item by weight -in ounces then I convert it to pounds. I created a great harvest tracking spreadsheet to keep track of everything that makes it into the house.…
Easy Homemade Coleslaw Recipe
Summer is here, at least here in Arizona. Temps have been a cool 100 degrees and rising. This is the time that we love to head up north to cooler parts of the state to get outdoors, hike, camp, and BBQ. One of my family’s all-time favorite side dishes in the summer is my Easy Homemade Coleslaw recipe. The History of Coleslaw Did you know that Coleslaw got its start in the 18th Century? It was a Dutch food originally named “koolsla”, meaning Cabbage Salad. One of the original recipes for this popular summertime dish included cabbage, melted butter, vinegar, and oil. However, on the most popular ingredients for this…
What to plant in your Arizona garden in JUNE?
Here in the desert, the heat is starting to come on. Today it may reach 110 degrees and it is only the end of May. But don’t dispair, there is still time to get your summer garden started. You just need to know what are the best seeds to plant for each month. I have put together a list of what to plant in your desert garden in June. FRUIT TO PLANT IN JUNE: Cantaloupe: If you have ever grown your own cantaloupe, you will know how much flavor it has compared to store-bought varieties. One of my favorite varieties to grow is the Charentais Cantaloupe variety. We have grown…
Garlic Gluten-Free Moringa Noodles with Squash Recipe
These moringa noodles are a new family favorite. Although there are limitless possibilities for a pasta dish and many sauce choices, this one is hands down our new goto meal. Made with fresh from the garden Cube of Butter squash, Moringa Pods, and garlic this garlic gluten-free moringa noodles with squash meal is truly amazing. We make these noodles by hand. They are really quite easy to prepare. Just a few simple, nutritious ingredients are all it takes to create fabulous homemade pasta. If you don’t have moringa trees or powder, you can try substituting tomato powder for red noodles, or leave it out and just make plain gluten-free noodles…