How I spent my 4th.

I have a new 4th of July tradition that lets someone else do the heavy lifting.

I went blueberry picking at Nesbit Blueberry Farm with my friend Susan, and although I didn't grow the berries, I did turn the bucket of berries I picked into my first blueberry pie and six jars of blueberry jam. It was a very satisfying Martha moment.

I've created a monster.

My two cucumber vines are the alpha dog of my garden, wrapping their way around the tomatoes and crowding out the eggplants. Lesson learned: Give cucumbers plenty of room.

To compensate, I moved one the eggplants to the other end of the garden. She wasn't happy, but she did bounce back after lots of watering. I also found another cage in the shed, untangled the vines from the tomatoes, and wrapped them around their new support. It was a delicate job.

By the next day, the cucumbers were winding their way around the second cage and popping out more babies. Their older siblings are, I think, almost ready to pick.

Pick a bouquet.

One thing is certain: I can grow some basil. I had to cut several plants back this evening, because they were blocking the sun from a pepper plant. Now I have a basil bouquet and a basil arrangement for my kitchen window sill.

Since I’m also getting a generous amount of basil every week in my CSA, I’ve been making pesto. Tony’s not crazy about pesto, but that’s not stopping me. I’ve been experimenting with using walnuts instead of pine nuts, and here's what I think: walnuts are less expensive, but not as good.

Susan suggested I check out the current issue of Bon Appetit for their piece on 25 favorite ways to use basil. I did, and so should you. The basil cornbread looks fantastic.

Name that weed: Part two.

Thanks to Christy, I've discovered that my mystery weed isn't a weed at all, but a medicinal herb called "Chinese Lantern Plant." There are fruits inside the orange lanterns that have twice the vitamin C as lemons and are used to treat fever and gout. Plus, you can add the fruits to pies and preserves. Be forewarned: Don't eat the fruit until they are ripe in the fall; otherwise they are, well, poisonous.

If you're not brave enough to eat Chinese lanterns, you can dry the plants and use them in floral arrangements. Either way, I can't believe I almost pulled them up. I may never weed again.

Dear God: Please save my okra.

The hungry bugs have moved off my beans, only to discover my okra. I have six okra plants, and they look pathetic.

The other day, I bought some organic insecticide soap and doused all the leaves. I also got my hands soaked, so at least I don't have aphids. The next day, the plants didn't look better, but they also didn't look worse.

They are a perfect pair.

In case you've never thought about combining these plants, try planting balloon flowers with lamb's ear. It's a beautiful combination.

Veggie garden update

I am amazed, but there are more vegetables in my garden than cucumbers. Yesterday, I discovered two banana peppers. I'm not sure how I missed them. Now, I'm not sure when to pick them.

Plus, the hot Thai peppers are coming on strong. They are still too small to photograph with my point and shoot camera, but, of course, I tried anyway. One of my eggplants also is growing babies.

For two days, I've been trying to get a good photo of the peppers when my neighbor rides by with his dog in his bicycle basket. This morning, I almost said, "I'm trying to get a good photo for my blog" to explain why he keeps seeing me like this. Then, I figured anybody who rides around on his bike with a miniature poodle wearing red sunglasses, doesn't need any explanation from me.