Green Mountain Gardener

This time of year, it’s pretty much impossible not to notice the overwhelming amount of information about tomatoes. Yeah, they’re in season… nothing beats a garden fresh tomato… how to can… how to store… how to ripen… the best heirloom variety… what to do with the insane amount of tomatoes you have sitting inside your refrigerator… blah, blah, blah. Everyone is talking about them, blogging about them, and reading about them. ENOUGH with the tomatoes!!
Back in May of 2007, I took a tofu-making class through Champlain Valley Union High School Access program. (If you’re not aware of this program, you should check it out. They offer a little bit of everything.) Well, after an exhaustive search trying to find Nigari (a thickening agent used to make tofu), I pretty much came to the conclusion that it is unavailable in Vermont. I even tried to special order it through several local stores, which either never called me back to inform me whether they could get it, or if they did get it, I never heard about it. ANYWAY, I ordered it online, and finally got around to making a batch of my own. It turned out to be totally delicious. If you have never had homemade or artisan tofu, there is nothing that could compare. You absolutely must try it. It is even delicious raw. Yes, raw. While I love Soy Boy, I don’t see myself pulling out a raw block of it and gnawing on it. In fact, the thought of it is kind of nauseating. But, the homemade… mmmmm!! So, move over tomatoes… the tofu may just start taking over the fridge.

Here’s a pic of our vegetable garden. Over the past couple of days I planted tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, bok choy, mesclun, leaf lettuce, spinach and carrots. I hope it’s successful! Blake built the walls for the raised beds, and he hauled in the topsoil and compost. I planted some marigolds in hopes of keeping the animals away. Also, I used a mild insecticide. I would like to find a reliable all-natural insecticide, so if anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them!! This weekend we are going to build a fence around it which can be taken down when not in use.

I would also like to find a squirrel-proof bird feeder… if anyone has had great success with a certain type, please let me know!! The squirrels and chipmunks have been doing a “Mission Impossible” number on our feeders, the little rascals.

I have attached a couple more photos. One is the view from our backyard. The other is the view of the front of the house. We have lots of work to do, clearing rocks and branches, but things are coming along very nicely.

On a sad note, Blake’s father passed away last night after battling a brain tumor. It’s a difficult time, to say the least. Blake is in Ohio for the next couple of days, so that he can be with his family. I’m feeling a bit sad that I’m not there with him, and looking forward to his return on Thursday. We spent some time at Green Harbor in Massachusetts last summer visiting with his dad soon after we learned about the brain tumor, and that is where I met his dad. He was on the beach throwing horseshoes and enjoying himself. We really enjoyed our time at the beach house and spending time with the family. He truly will be missed.