Hello:

I have finally been doing garden work in Nicholas County where I live.  It is nice to provide services for the folks around here.  A four county territory is kinda big at $3.89 a gallon for gas.  Ironic then that the president and vice-president of the MG Association here are the two ladies farthest away from almost every activity.  If we had an allowance for gas, the job of Master Gardener would be lots easier.  I feel guilty that I cannot get to the Tamarack herb garden as often as the herbs need.  Herbs do so much better with that constant snip snip.  They get too lanky and thin if left alone. 

Speaking of lanky and thin.......  I planted six of the most pitiful nastursium plants I have ever seen.  They were in that nasty seed starter medium of utter disaster.  Three of these plants combined were barely as big around as a pencil.  Most of the gardeners I know would have considered them dead already.  I hate to waste things and I can't help but cheer for the underdog.  I planted them.  I told them, ok, if you grow instead of croak you can maybe fill in this space between the sage and fennel.  WOW! Two days ago my husband dug two of them up and transplanted them to the bed in the triangle.  They took over their area and were trying to dwarf the sage and the chives.  It is even difficult to see the blooming parsley in this cacophony.

I love nasturtium.  There is always a place in the garden for them.  The leaves have such a great pepper flavor.  The flowers can be eaten and used as decorations on the top of pumpkin pie.  Their yellow and orange colors make them a wonderful and tasty addition to the fall banquet table. 

 

Grow nasturtiums around squash to keep the beetles off.  Then add the flowers to the top of a squash caserole, or use a flower like a cherry on top of a stuffed acorn squash half and don't forget the pecans.  What grows together as companions in the garden generally eats well together.

 

I'm working on a photo album of all the purple flowers right now.  I hope to share some soon.  Meanwhile,  try out a few flowers for dinner!

 

Bette