Kitchen Counter Confidential - get in the garden

There is a man on the kitchen counter today - and for good reason. Not only have I known Johnathan for as long as I can remember, but he also is an amazing gardener. When I look at my daughter playing with her friends in Grade 3 I often wonder if these will be her lifelong friends? I'm fortunate to have some friends that I have known forever. Since I joined Facebook, I have been able to reconnect with these folks. Johnathan is someone I think of often...and now I see online, often. Last fall when Johnathan posted comments about harvesting his garden and then preserving his crops, I was inspired. I asked for his help and then jumped into canning myself. Wait until you read about Johnathan's kitchen and check out his bountiful garden.

Tell me 3 things about yourself

I love beer, my motorcycle and sunday fun-day at my neighbours house.

Are you for, or against, small appliances on the kitchen counter?

I'm neither for or against that. Having said that I have a toaster oven and a coffee maker on my kitchen counter.

Name 5 things that are on your counter right now.

Potato from the garden, onions from the garden, peppers from Kani's garden, Muffins from my neighbour Daisy, a cooked sausage for dinner.

What, if anything, would you change about your kitchen counter?

I'd change it all together, it's as ugly as sin.

What is your favourite thing to do on your kitchen counter?

Cook.

I love seeing pictures of the vegetables you grow in your garden. Do you have a big garden? Any tips for having success with growing veggies?

My garden is huge. One tip for growing good vegetables: This was written somewhere else but rang true with me; you have to look at your garden every day. Watch it grow (literally). If there is something wrong you are more likely to see it if you look at the garden every day. Just have a quick stroll, and look at every plant/group of plants every day. The deficiencies will become obvious and you can stop them before it becomes a problem, you get good veggies. I like to stroll right at dusk, not to hot, not to cold and the light is good to see things you wouldn't normally see. Here's another, always "pick the suckers" on your tomato plants. Google it, you need to understand that if you're going to grow tomatoes.

You inspired me last year to try preserving some apples (I made apple chutney). What, or who, inspired you to get into preserving?

I'm cheap, and you can't grow beer.

I'd like some apple chutney thanks for offering.

What is your favourite book or website with tips on preserving fruit and vegetables?

"The Complete book of Pickling" by Jennifer MacKenzie. It has everything.

What have you preserved and what are you planning on preserving this year?

I've done lots. You can't make enough salsa and pickles.

Thanks Johnathan! His tip about walking through your garden everyday reminded me of my mom. This was her advice as well. I don't always take the time I need to in my garden. I love growing things, but it takes time and effort. The real problem with my backyard is that it is only accessible through my side door. I can't even see it from any window in my house. I love my house...but this is the one thing we need to change. Someday. For now, I will try and remember that advice..especially if I want to grow those gigantic tomatoes - did you see those onions, peppers and cucumbers - and all the jars filled with deliciousness! Time to get canning!

Have a great weekend everyone!

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