My gardens

at home

Now you probably wonder if I am spending all my time on the road these days, and it sure feels like it. But in fact, I do garden at home as well as in the community garden.

At home I planted corn, heirloom runner beans, and pumpkins and butternut squash. I had read Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden, describing the old ways food was grown by the Hidatsa people in North Dakota. The corn and beans are planted together, with the squash plants surrounding them. Supposedly, critters like raccoons do not like to wade through the leaves and so the corn is kept safe. We'll see about that. To increase security, my neighbors came over to put up a rough fence and so far nothing has been eaten.

in town

In town, I have a small plot planted with a couple of tomato plants, onions, radishes, cucumbers, carrots, dill, and sunflowers. I bought a packet of mixed heirloom sunflowers, and I planted them all willy-nilly. It will be interesting to see what they look like.

This year I won't be feeding myself entirely from my gardening efforts, but I am learning the process and so we'll see how I do next year. But this is why I appreciate all the farmers markets!

Radish leaf pesto

Did you know you can eat radish leaves? I just learned this from the informative Chocolate and Zucchini blog entry on this subject.

I've tried it, so I can say that the leaves are, er, bitter, not to mention a bit prickly, but they certainly are edible.

The pesto is earthy, not quite like the basil-based pesto you might think of. But the texture is the same and if you put it on your very favorite crackers, you'll probably like it as much as I do. Chew, swallow, smile, and think, I'm eating healthy and free food! I mean, what would you do with those leaves otherwise?

Clotilde also suggests putting the leaves in casseroles and soups where the strong flavor of the radish leaves won't upset any delicacy of the dish.

a bit blurry, but I grew these beautiful radishes all by myself,
leaves and all

Boulder, Helena, Townsend markets

Today I drove a 400-mile loop to visit 3 farmers markets. Whew!

Townsend market

I began at the Townsend Artisan and Garden Market, in its second year. Although you really don't expect much produce this time of year, there wasn't any at all in Townsend. More should show up later in the season, but meanwhile two artisans displayed their wares, hoping for good sales from the passing traffic on Highway 287. I was told that local organizations are being urged (so far unsuccessfully) to sell baked goods as fund-raisers. So if Townsend is a small market right now, it certainly has big dreams.

Helena farmers market

It was a big contrast to see Helena's market, which covers a large space between two small parks. Here are some pictorial highlights.

early season produce piled high

products like this local honey were in abundance

even pets could find a treat or two

plenty of foot-tapping entertainment

cute crafts

and lots of pretty girls -- these from the Queen City Ballet school

Then on to Boulder, about 30 miles south of Helena.

nicely packaged produce at the Boulder market

It was a windy day in Boulder, and I had just missed some vendors who left early. But two stalwart women remained, one selling homemade mixes, bread, and strawberry jam made with stevia, and the other with lettuce and jars of exquisite raspberry jam.

It was a long drive but well worth it to meet the people who help put food on Montana's tables.

Boulder Farmers Market

Boulder City Park, on Highway 89

June 6 - September 5

Saturday, 9:30 am - 1 pm

Helena Farmers Market

Fuller Avenue and Neill Avenue

April 25- November 7

Saturday, 9 am - 1 pm

Townsend Artisan and Garden Market

Highway 287, across from the Mustang Motel

June - September

Saturday, 9 am - 1 pm (depending on the weather)