Grow Baby Grow!

@BettyB (4117)
Summerville, South Carolina
June 21, 2017 7:31am CST
I have enjoyed making special meals from the produce from my garden this spring and summer. We have had stuffed peppers, grilled summer squash, lasagna with sauce made from fresh tomatoes, green beans, and salads filled with cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. If I can make a big pan of eggplant parmesan I can call my 2017 garden a success. We have dinner with my mother-in-law every week or two. We plan the menu, cook the meal, and spend the afternoon with her. We try to select meals that she really loves that she no longer has the desire or energy to cook for herself. Jean loves eggplant parmesan. There’s only one eggplant on the plant so far, but with hope and a prayer it should be big enough to pick by Saturday. I want to use this eggplant for the dinner. Not only will it taste great, I’ll have bragging rights. I know that’s silly, but I still want to do it. What have you harvested from your garden so far? I took this picture a few days ago. It’s a lot bigger now. It should be plenty big enough by the weekend.
15 people like this
16 responses
Anna
@LadyDuck (471459)
• Switzerland
21 Jun 17
Do you think it will be big enough by Saturday? The only things I have picked up so far are the herbs. The tomatoes are still green as well as the peppers. I think that the zucchini will be ready by the weekend.
3 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
23 Jun 17
I thought it would be but I'm not so sure now. I may have to buy one and fix this one next week. We'll decide on Saturday.
3 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (471459)
• Switzerland
23 Jun 17
@BettyB It is so hot that I do not even want to go out and check the zucchini. I hope the rain will come tomorrow as they announced.
3 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
@LadyDuck According to my husband the eggplant is big enough. There is a second little one starting as well. We should be able to pick one every week to week and a half for the next couple of months. It's horribly hot here as well. We've had rain, but all that did was up the humidity.
3 people like this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (317089)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Jun 17
I hope it's perfect by the weekend. Bragging rights are great. I've never had bragging rights where a garden is concerned.
3 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
I wish it was a little bigger but we're using it anyway.
3 people like this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (317089)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
24 Jun 17
@BettyB There will be more, I hope.
1 person likes this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
@just4him There's a second one growing already. It will need another 7-10 days.
1 person likes this
Silvermist
@silvermist (19702)
• India
22 Jun 17
That eggplant looks nice.I do hope it gets bigger so that you can prepare your mother-in-law's favorite eggplant parmesan.No garden here.
3 people like this
Silvermist
@silvermist (19702)
• India
24 Jun 17
@BettyB I know it will be delicious.Can we expect a photo of the dish?
1 person likes this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
It's not as big as I would like but my husband says its big enough. Either way we will be making eggplant parmesan this weekend. I'm really looking forward to it.
3 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
@silvermist I will make a point of it.
1 person likes this
Belle Starr (Iz)
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 Jun 17
I haven't got a garden, however, farm stands are located very close by and I can have fresh produce whenever I want. I just don't want to be tied down with caring for plants. I think it is wonderful that you are growing things and using them in meals, I hope the eggplant cooperates.
3 people like this
Belle Starr (Iz)
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
23 Jun 17
@BettyB My father always ha a big garden and we kids were the rock and weed pickers. New Englan soil has a never ending supply of rocks lol Turned me off of gardening I think.
3 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
@BelleStarr I hated working in the garden as a child. Picking the green beans was the worst. There were so many of them. It might have helped if I liked green beans. I like them now but as a child I loathed them.
1 person likes this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
23 Jun 17
I'm afraid its not going to be big enough to pick on time. As far as my garden goes, its just big enough to be fun. Growing up we had an acre size garden. It was vital as there were so many mouths to feed.
3 people like this
crazyhorseladycx
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
21 Jun 17
i miss my gardens back'n the day. 's fer what's been harvested thus far? sadly jest a few strawberries. we're off to a late start gardenin' here's the hubs don't listen much'n the weather's been most uncooperative. please 've a bite 'r 2 'f that yummy dish fer me. i adore eggplants, but fear the aint too fond 'f me these days.
3 people like this
crazyhorseladycx
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
26 Jun 17
@BettyB i can't partake'n those either 'n feel yer pain, hon. big hugs!
1 person likes this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
11 Jul 17
1 person likes this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
I haven't had any trouble with the eggplant but I can't eat stuffed peppers anymore. I made some for my husband last week. It was hard watching him eat and not be able to touch it myself.
3 people like this
Jeanne Marie
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
22 Jun 17
I haven't put in a garden in years. I buy produce from local people. I love summer produce!
3 people like this
Jeanne Marie
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
30 Jun 17
@BettyB My mom always enjoyed the work of a garden, but I just enjoy the fruits of the labor of others!
1 person likes this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
11 Jul 17
@Jeanniemaries My mother was an avid gardener. I like it, but I'm content with a little one. Next year I think I'll just stick to what I can put in pots.
1 person likes this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
I buy most of our produce at the market or in the grocery store. My garden is just big enough to be fun.
3 people like this
Jane
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
21 Jun 17
Eggplant parmesan sounds yummy. I have tried eggplant with pasta with parmesan cheese and it's a heavenly taste for pasta lovers.
2 people like this
Jane
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
24 Jun 17
@BettyB would love to try the eggplant with parmesan
1 person likes this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
I like the eggplant with pasta but I prefer the traditional Eggplant parmesan more.
2 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
11 Jul 17
@jaiho2009 It was good and now we have eggplant in the freezer for this winter.
1 person likes this
prashu
@prashu228 (37524)
• India
21 Jun 17
I have brinjal, ridge gourd, and cluster beans in my terrace garden as if now
3 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
I have beans but no gourds.
3 people like this
Oshy
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
21 Jun 17
Eggplant Parmesan is divine as I know yours will be too. No garden here for me Betty.
3 people like this
Oshy
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
24 Jun 17
2 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
I love eggplant parmesan almost as much as my mother in law does.
3 people like this
Sharon
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
22 Jun 17
We live in an apartment so I don't have a garden but would love to have one. If I did, I would brag also.
3 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
I probably brag about my garden more than I should. Its just fun to pick something from the garden and make a special meal. Things like the peppers and eggplant are not in our food budget. They cost too much in the grocery store.
2 people like this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (50270)
• United States
24 Jun 17
We are enjoying green beans from a neighbors garden.
3 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
I love green beans fresh from the garden. I have some but they are not doing as well as they have other years.
2 people like this
Catherine
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
21 Jun 17
That already looked great @BettyB and should make a delicious eggplant parmesan! I don't have a green thumb at all, so all my veg are store bought. Enjoy your fresh fare.
3 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
23 Jun 17
I have a little garden, just big enough to be fun. Like you, I buy most of our vegetables.
3 people like this
MARILYN
@Marilynda1225 (82789)
• United States
21 Jun 17
I didn't realized you could grow eggplant in a bucket. I always thought they had to be in the ground and needed room to spread out. Now you've given me food for thought. Your eggplant looks cute and I'm sure will be not only tasty but a wonderful meal for your MIL
3 people like this
MARILYN
@Marilynda1225 (82789)
• United States
23 Jun 17
@BettyB that's good to know. I'd really like to give it a shot next year
3 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
@Marilynda1225 I'm excited about the eggplant but what I really like is picking a handful of cherry tomatoes for my salad every day.
2 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
23 Jun 17
It's in a large flower pot and doing great. The main thing about growing vegi's in flower pots is that they need fertilizer a little more often than if they were in the ground.
3 people like this
DianneN
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
21 Jun 17
It's amazing how quickly some foods grow. You are so lucky to have such a successful garden. I've harvested chives and rosemary. lol
3 people like this
DianneN
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
25 Jun 17
@BettyB Wow!!!!!!
1 person likes this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
11 Jul 17
@DianneN I like to garden but not as much as she did. She gave most of the stuff away. One person can only eat so many green beans and tomatoes.
1 person likes this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
Gardening is fun as long as I limit the size. My mother would have laughed at my token garden. In her later years she cut her garden down from an acre to a half acre and then grumbled that it wasn't big enough.
3 people like this
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
21 Jun 17
that egg plant looks awesome.I have never ever had a luck with eggplant.All the years I planted them. Good for you.any secret there about this.
2 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
Last year my plants were beautiful but they never produced. I was afraid that would happen again this year, but blossomed. We have the big one and a second smaller one coming along. Hopefully we'll be able to eat eggplant every couple of weeks.
1 person likes this
John Roberts
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
21 Jun 17
I live in a complex so no garden. But when I was a kid my father grew corn, tomato, squash, carrots and radish.
2 people like this
Betty Belekis
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
24 Jun 17
I loved when the corn was ready when I was a child. We would have corn on the cob every day while my mother processed the extra and put in the freezer for winter.
2 people like this