Oct 12, 2008

So Martha!

This year I decided to try and grow a few things in my garden...food things I mean. So I planted a small basil plant and it grew so big and wonderful I had to start giving away leaves! I also planted one small tomato plant and one small cucumber plant. And look what I have! My tomato plant has produced over 50 tomatoes and I just pulled more off this afternoon. And that cucumber is one of 6 this summer. It was exciting to feel like I could make something grow...actually blossom!


I also found out this summer that my neighbors tree that hangs over my fence is actually a plum tree. So today I decided to try and make plum jelly! Look!!!! Okay, now look closer, its liquid still. HELP! What did I do wrong?


Okay, so maybe planting and gardening is a new skill and making jelly is not!

13 comments:

Gwen said...

Baby steps . . . you grew wonderful things . . . next year you'll figure out how to put them up. I only ever make refrigerator pickles so I'm no help here. Whiskeymarie will likely help.

Cat said...

plum sauce, sounds perfect on ice cream

I have a pumpkin plant, I fear for my lone pumpkin tonight with our weather

Dr Zibbs said...

Every year I extend my garden a bit more. I love it. This year I had green beans, tomatoes, squash, zuchinni, onions basil, peppers. cucumbers.

Jennifer said...

Good for you! I bought my first real life, potted herb garden this weekend at the farmer's market and plan to use the thyme in tonights pork roast dish. I can't wait!

I have actually canned strawberry and blueberry jam the last couple of years (not home grown, but hand-picked by me) and it looks like you don't have enough pectin in your plum jelly. How many boxes did you add? Or maybe, you didn't boil it long enough.

You could pour it back into a pot and add pectin and re-boil per the package instructions. Or, you could use it as a simple syrup for pancakes, waffles, or ice cream. Either way, I am sure it is yummy!

patsy said...

so proud of you!

the only thing i can grow is mold in the frig!

Whiskeymarie said...

I never use pectin in my jams/jellies, and they always set. I'm guessing you just need to simmer the juice longer. You can still save it, just re-cook it. Keep a plate in the fridge, and to check to see if it's thick enough, just drop a bit of the juice on the plate & chill it a few minutes. You'll be able to see if it's setting up or not.

Otherwise, just tell people that it's plum sauce. They'll never know the difference.

WendyB said...

Yum...plums! Can't help you with cooking though.

PinkPiddyPaws said...

Hey... slice up that cucumber and let's have a salad baby! yum! yum! :)

Diva's Thoughts said...

I have never been an outdoorsy type girl so gardening has never been for me.

I have always been envious, though, of people that could grow fruits and veggies on their own.

Maybe one day I'll break down and start a little garden of my own. Something small though. Wouldn't want to wear myself out. lol

Anonymous said...

I can't help - I only buy mine :) You go girl!

J said...

I have never had plum jelly...I imagine it must be wonderful.

S and I plan to plant a garden...I can't believe you got that many mados off one plant!

Unknown said...

woohoo...look at you go...

Unknown said...

You are better than Martha!!!