This weekend we went geocaching. One of the caches was owned by a pair of gardeners, whom each had the most beautiful gardens. One was more planned in it’s layout and the other was very much a cottage garden. The cottage gardener was outside and more then happy to let me poke 
around her beds, take photos, and ask lots of questions.
I spotted this lovely flower on the edge of her property next to a power pole. I have seen them all around Spokane but have never know what they are. I asked the gardener and she told me it was a hollyhock and that I could collect some seedpods to sow in my own yard (which I did!)
From what I have read hollyhocks are a hardy but short lived perennial that don’t bloom until their second year, when they self-seed. They prefer full sun to partial shade and rich, moist soil to thrive. Hollyhocks apparently cross-pollinate quite readily and there were both mother-of-pearl and fuchsia ones in the cottage gardener’s yard, so I am not sure what colors my seeds will be. (That is part of the excitement isn’t it?)
From my own observations of hollyhocks around Spokane though, I have only seen them growing in odd places, like near the cottager gardener’s power poles and in poor soil. They have all looked like native plants or at the very least volunteers. Maybe they are not as picky as some of the information I have read has led me to believe? I think I might put them out by the garage, where they will get lots of sun. It is a little dry but if I amend the soil and mulch it should stay pleasant enough for them.
I am wondering if I should start them indoor or outdoors. I have found a couple sources suggesting I sow them out a couple weeks before the last frost. Has anyone had experience growing hollyhocks who can give me some hints?
I decided earlier this season that this is the year to try garlic. I will be planting it either where my late beans currently are or my Autumn radishes. Garlic will be the last thing to go in the ground before the winter.
I have decided on a local grower to purchase my garlic bulbs as well as a local variety, Inchelium, originally from the Colville Indian Reservation. It is a softneck garlic so it should store well too, for 6 to 8 months. I have purchased this variety from the Millwood farmers market before and was really pleased with it. It had a moderate heat and wonderful flavor, as well as a pretty light purple color. I loved it both fresh in bruschetta as well as roasted with olive oil.
I only ordered half a pound as this is my first time growing garlic. I had to print and fill out an order form as well as write a check! Both things I have not had to do in a long time! (I wonder for how many more years checks will be used for?) Hopefully it will be worth it, I am looking forward to harvesting my own garlic next year!
Today was all about the herbal harvest. Sure at the bottom of my bucket there were a couple Black Krim tomatoes and a few small zucchini, but piled on top was lavender, oregano, chives, garlic chives, echinacea and a whole pound of mint, as well as a few brown-eyed susans for the house. Most of the herbs are in my dehydrator to be saved for the winter months, but I chose a different route for the mint turning it into a simple syrup.
To make it I brought the mint and water to a boil (1 cup for ever 1 1/2 packed cup of mint,) turned off the stove and left it to steep all day. I then strained the liquid (wilted mint remains to the compost,) measured it (4 cups) and added an equal amount of sugar before bringing it back to a near boil, stirring constantly (heating it long enough to dissolve all the sugar.) After it cooled back down I put it in the fridge where it can keep for several weeks. I think I may can some this weekend to store in the pantry.
Do you every make herbal syrups and what do you use them for?
