Dixon Lagniappe…a little something extra

I think by California standards, gardens “seem” to be going in a little late this year; however … since this is only my “second” garden here in Dixon .... well … I remember that “first” garden went in a little late too. So … what better day than Easter Sunday to get my hands dirty and plant some vegetables that hopefully with the right care will produce an abundance of goodies to eat by mid-summer.

I have found out that you do not go “window” shopping when it comes to selecting those vegetables you wish to plop in your garden. Chances are … if you “wait” and return back to the store another day … those very same plants will be long gone and growing in someone else’s garden. We learned this lesson from a honeydew melon I passed up just days before … 'course this was two years ago … and that was a lesson I have taken to heart this year. My motto: Buy it when you see it.

So … Easter Eve … we ventured out to the stores … plural you will notice to gather said vegetables and ready them for the garden. My “honey” (I will refer to him as that going forward ... shhhhhh don’t tell him) has actually become a “garden” pro when it comes to tomatoes and peppers. Yes … ingredients for his salsa at summers end. I love squash ... several varieties … not so exactly fond of tomatoes. So this year, the garden will be toned down by tomato standards … I have a green tomato plant … and some grape tomatoes and that is it. Fried green tomatoes are a treat.

As for squash … well, I will have plenty. I have already told co-workers that I will bring them my extras. I mean … who doesn’t like acorn, butternut, yellow or zucchini squash? Okay . so I know they are not favorites in general. But, I love them. And into that mix I have some bush beans … one cantaloupe … gold, red and green bell peppers. And for the spice I have a few banana peppers. No, those peppers would never do for salsa … they don’t add any heat. I like them because they are a bit sweet.

It has been a week since the plants first were gently placed in the ground … sadly I have to report that due to a malfunctioning water timer, the plants were bathed every day … instead of every other day. And well, a few plants couldn’t take the aqua. And on the first glorious not as windy day in May, new plants were plopped in the ground. Specifically a couple of bush bean plants … a red bell pepper … and the one lonely cantaloupe. I am of course on a hunt for the honeydew melon, but they are elusive and I have yet to find one or more than one at any local stores. But as I stated before … when I do see one … it will go straight in my basket and plopped into the dirt faster than you can say lagniappe.