We vegetable and herb growers are happily busy this month, with lots and lots to do!  Now is the time to plant your tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers, eggplant, squash and melons! We carry several varieties (and then some), of all of these plants! Come and see what’s in!

  This year we have gone crazy in supplying you with many varieties and many sizes of tomatoes! We have something for everyone to be sure. We bring a tremendous selection of larger, much more mature plants for those among us who are anxious for a far earlier harvest. Lots are potted up in containers that are suitable for growing them in, all season long. You don’t even have to repot them! For those of you who have tomato plants that are maturing and getting tall, be sure to stake them or cage them before they get too big to slip a cage over them without breaking their stalks and branches. If your tomato plant is very small and flowering or trying to bear fruit, consider pinching back the blossoms to redirect energy back into making the plant strong and vigorous before getting into the actual fruiting production cycle. Your plant will be stronger for this intervention. June’s a good month to start fertilizing your veggies with a weak compost tea solution about every other week.

  Our many Asian customers are excited to know that the long awaited cuncurbit, bitter melon has made it’s appearance. This plant is not very familiar to western markets but it is much beloved in the Phillipines, China, Japan, India. Momordica charantia

  We have a spectacular array of delectable herbs to complement your every dish, carrying many specialty herbs to tempt our diverse and global customer base.  It’s much more original, and more fun to grow herbs that you would never come across in your grocery store. Try a mouth-watering lime basil with your chicken or fish dishes. With it’s beautiful aroma and zingy lime taste it even lends itself to accompanying sweeter food offerings such as fresh fruit. The next time you serve up some fresh strawberries or juicy mango slices, sprinkle the leaves of lemon or lime basil on top, to enhance this naturally sweet treat. To extend the harvest season of your herbs, consider making succession plantings of the short lived herbs such as cilantro and basil. Sow from seed every few weeks, or plant from seedlings for an even faster gain.

  Our fruit offerings have expanded this year to include elderberry, gooseberry and lingonberry. This is in addition to the six varieties of blueberries, four types of raspberries, six types of grape, currants, rhubarb and strawberries! We have limited quantities so stop in and have a look! Come and visit us in our newly expanded edibles area. You will be amazed at what we carry!

  A final note, and reminder…Weed! And Water!

Weeds compete for nutrients and moisture with the very plants we are trying to grow (and we all know which one grows faster!)

Frequent and consistent watering is essential in setting up your fruiting plants. By carefully monitoring your watering, you can avoid the commonplace tomato blossom end rot and cracked or split fruits! If you are growing plants in containers, the challenge is greater and this note is especially for you!

  Be sure to look for us at the Andersonville Farmers Market beginning June 23^rd!

Gethsemane Gardens is your local grower and we are proud to serve our community with naturally grown herbs and vegetables. This Wednesday market sets up in the afternoon and ends at 7 pm with entertainment and delicious baked goods, meats and produce – ALL LOCALLY GROWN!  We look forward to seeing you there!