June 2006 Newsletter

What a difference a month can make. The garden planted in April is now finally coming to life. May was an abnormally cool month and I thought we were never going to finish planting. The potatoes are starting to die down, and I "snuck" a peek today and found two big red potatoes under one plant. The Diva slicing cucumbers have tiny little cucumbers just waiting to go in a salad, a few squash can be seen, and there is a HUGE green tomato on one of my heirloom tomato plants. . I can just taste fried green tomatoes from that one. ( See recipe below). The corn is just up to my knees, and we are going to have enough peppers to supply all of Chickamauga.

I absolutely love spring and summer. Household chores just have to wait, because I can hardly drag myself in. I work 3 13 hour shifts a week at the hospital, and usually don't get home until about 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. On my days off, I could stay out all day, but clothes do have to be washed, floors swept, and dishes washed. But who says they have to be first? I can remember my grandmother, outside deadheading her flowers, stopping to pick weeds, and leaving a sink full of dishes.

I write this at 9 pm after eating dinner, and making just one more trip out to the garden to water my newly planted lavender plant and yellow coneflower. A few weeds in the herb garden caught my eye, some chamomile flowers needed to be picked, and I had to check on the big green tomato just once more. Oops, those dishes are still there. After all, I needed to get this newsletter out didn't I?

Here is the picture I took this morning of the garden. Check out my website for the newly planted garden as it looked in April.

Fried Green Tomatoes
(For those of us who just can't wait!)
- 3 medium green tomatoes
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 beaten eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning (I use Tony Chacheres)
- deep fryer with heated oil

Mix the beaten eggs and milk. Cut the tomatoes into 1/2 inch slices and place in the cold eggs and milk. Let sit about 5 minutes while you are mixing the flour, oats, and seasonings. Dip and completely cover the soaked green tomatoes in the flour mixture until coated well and drop into the hot oil in the deep fryer. (just a few at a time, don't overcrowd so they will be crisp.)

Cook in the hot oil until the outside coating looks crisp. Carefully remove the tomatoes from the deep fryer and put onto several paper towels to drain. You can add additional Creole Seasoning if you like. Continue until all are cooked. I use this recipe of flour and oats when I cook fried okra, squash, and even chicken fingers. The oats give them a crumbly texture.

(Monarda didyma) Bee Balm, Bergamont, Oswego tea plant

Here's a picture of the bee balm I transplanted to the side of our shed last fall. I had it in the herb garden, but it is very invasive, and took over my garden. I have it planted in a rock bed to help contain it. It does well next to the shed, which gives it a little support. Bee balm can grow up to about 3 feet tall. By the end of June, or first of July, it will have beautiful red flowers which attract butterflies and bees. Hummingbirds especially love Bee Balm.

Bee Balm Facts:
- Perennial, very easy to grow. Does not like to be crowded, or can be susceptible to mildew. Plant in sun, with some day-time shade. Mulch the ground around the roots to keep them cool.
- Dig up every 3-4 years, divide and replant to keep the plants healthy.
- Bright red crimson flowers which bloom from late June to September
- Tea can be made from the leaves and provides a soothing and relaxing, good night time tea.
- Add a handful of fresh bee balm leaves to your bath to sooth those tired, aching muscles after a hard day in the garden.
- Medicinally, Bee Balm has been used as a tea for colds and flu and can be inhaled in steam to relieve sinus and lung congestion. (www.Herbalpedia.com)

Bee Balm Iced Tea
- 1/2 cup Bee Balm flowers and leaves
- 8 cups boiling water

Pour the boiling water over the bee balm flowers and leaves. Cover and steep about an hour, until cooled. Strain and discard the flowers. Sweeten with sugar, honey, or stevia if desired. Chill until ready to use, then pour over ice.

Bee Balm Tea
Pour one cup of boiling water over 1/2 cup fresh bee balm leaves and brew for 5 minutes. Strain and sweeten if you wish before serving. For dried bee balm, pour a cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of the dried leaves. Brew as above.
(www.seedsofknowledge.com) By Brenda Hyde owner of Old Fashioned Living, www.oldfashionedliving.com

Hummingbird Bread
- 1 package dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 Tbsp margarine or vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup bee balm flowers (red petals only)
- 1 cup water at room temperature
- 1 egg, slightly beaten

Dissolve yeast in warm water in mixing bowl. Add margarine or vegetable oil and honey; mix thoroughly. Add flour and flower petals alternately with water; beat after each addition. Knead the last of the flour/flowers mixture into the dough by hand. Shape into ball and place in greased bowl, turning once to oil all surfaces. Cover with damp towel; allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size (45-60 minutes) Punch dough down; turn onto lightly floured board and knead for 5 minutes. Divide dough in half and shape into two round loaves.

Place loaves 4 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet and cover with damp towel. Allow to rise for 30 minutes. Brush top with beaten egg white and spread more bee balm blossoms that have been dipped in the egg white over top of bread. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 45-50 minutes or until loaves are lightly browned. Great toasted, brushed with a whisper of olive oil and dusted with grated Parmesan cheese.
(Sage Cottage Herb Garden Cookbook) reprinted in the Herbalpedia (www.herbalpedia.com)

Working in the garden can be rough on your hands. To keep them soft, try my new product, "Can You Dig It" Gardeners Hand Therapy. Made with unrefined shea butter, beeswax and olive oil, this tin is full of skin softening ingredients. Tea tree oil and lavender are great for those little nicks and cuts than can occur. Comes in a 2oz tin for 5.95. Order yours now.

Until July,
Keep gardening (and don't worry about the dishes!)
- Karen