Cheryl’s Organic Vegetable Plants

08/15/2026

Mid- August walk through the garden. “Hurry, hurry, hurry to harvest!”

08/11/2026

08/06/2026

A mid-season walk through the lower garden area - #1. Looking down on to the pumpkin and pretty Asian Spinach (a spinach that will grow during the heat of summer).

I trained the pumpkin to grab hold of the trellis just by interweaving it. I just noticed one little bud.

“Pumpkin Nutrition Facts
A one-cup serving of cooked pumpkin (245g) boiled and drained with no added salt provides 49 calories, 1.8g of protein, 12g of carbohydrates, and 0.2g of fat. Pumpkin is a great source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and phosphorus. The following pumpkin nutrition information is provided by the USDA.

* Calories: 49
* Fat: 0.2g
* Sodium: 2.5mg
* Carbohydrates: 12g
* Fiber: 2.7g
* Sugars: 5.1g
* Protein: 1.8g
* Vitamin A: 706mcg
* Vitamin C: 11.5mg
* Potassium: 564mg
* Phosphorus: 73.5mg

Carbs
There are 12 grams of carbohydrates in one cup of pumpkin. Some of that carbohydrate is fiber (2.7 grams) and naturally occurring sugars (5.1 grams). The remaining carbohydrate is starch.

Carbohydrates in pumpkin are filling while also having minimal impact on blood sugar. While pumpkin has a high glycemic index of 74, its glycemic load is estimated to be just 6.4.2 This makes pumpkin a good option for people with diabetes.3 “…

“Protein
Pumpkin is not a rich source of protein at just 1.8 grams per cup. You may wish to add fresh or canned pumpkin to protein-rich meals or smoothies. As a fiber-rich carbohydrate, pumpkin is a flavorful and nutritious way to balance high-protein menus.”… ~Verywell fit

08/01/2026

It’s a great feeling knowing I don’t have to worry about harmful (the allowed chemical carcinogenic pesticides) on my berries.

I had to make time to harvest my blackberries today before the birds ate the rest of them. Even though we built this frame and put bird netting all around them and pinned it down, a few smart birds have managed to find the breaches.

I barely got any of the blueberries before they finished them off. The other day I went out early to pick a handful for breakfast. I walked up on the huge hawk that lives in the neighborhood. He was on the banister (next to the fake owl). We just looked at each other and he flew off. He’s the reason I’m hesitating getting a new little bichon puppy. Last season he grabbed a rabbit out of my garden. When I startled it…it flew up to the top of one of my tomato trellises while the poor bunny was dangling there then flew off. I don’t want that to be my puppy. 😩

I normally buy frozen organic blueberries (they have gotten pretty expensive) to have in my organic steel cut oats every morning. But it looks like I’ll be switching to organic home grown blackberries for a while. I’ll wash them good…soak in a little baking soda for a while… rinse then freeze. I might even make a cobbler.

What would you do with all these berries?

07/15/2026

“Kale is a nutrient-dense leafy green, rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and antioxidants. A single cup of raw kale contains about 33 calories, 1 gram of protein, and 1 gram of fiber, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet.”

07/13/2026

Who needs a fancy sauna when u have a greenhouse?

07/12/2026

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the publication of How No...

07/11/2026

Always exciting when your first tomato turns red. We’re looking forward to that first toasted tomato sandwich. Looks like I’m going to have plenty to make sauce.

“Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Vitamins and minerals

Tomatoes are a good source of several vitamins and minerals:

Vitamin C. This vitamin is an essential nutrient and antioxidant. One medium-sized tomato can provide about 28% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI).

Potassium. An essential mineral, potassium is beneficial for blood pressure control and heart disease prevention (3Trusted Source).
Vitamin K1. Also known as phylloquinone, vitamin K is important for blood clotting and bone health (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).

Folate (vitamin B9). One of the B vitamins, folate is important for normal tissue growth and cell function. It’s particularly important for pregnant women (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

SUMMARY
Tomatoes are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, potassium, vitamin K, and folate.” ~ healthline