Hot and Chunky Summer Salsa

Since it's tomato time, I thought I'd share my yummy salsa recipe with you. I used to think salsa was a lot of work and even though it can be time consuming, it's very worth it! In the dead of winter when a craving for garden fresh comes, crack open a jar of your homemade salsa, serve with chips and sour cream and it will bring back that warm summer feeling!

Hot and Chunky Summer Salsa

8 c.peeled, chopped roma tomatoes
3 finely chopped hot banana pepper
4-6 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
1 c. chopped green pepper
2 c. chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 c. vinegar
2 T. dried basil or use more fresh
2 T. salt
1 t. pepper
3 T. sugar (optional)
1 t. dried cilantro leaves or use more fresh

Other:
1 can black beans
1 can corn or 2 c. frozen
1 can tomato paste

Mix together in large pot and cook approx 1/2 hour or until vegetables soften. Add 1 jar tomato paste to thicken.  I also add a can of black beans and 1 can corn before sealing in hot jars. Heat lids in boiling water while adding hot salsa to hot jars. Place lids on jars and place in a spot where jars won't be disturbed for a day or two. Make sure sealed before putting away.

Makes approx 5 pints. I usually make a double batch.

A truckload of sunshine

We regularly supply Masse's Vegetable Stand at St. Joseph's with cut sunflowers and pick-up bouquets. These were heading there this morning along with fresh beets, carrots and cucumbers we grow.

Is Autumn around the corner?

It seems summer has come and gone and left us with this Autumn-like weather. Cool nights and warm days- notice I said warm, not hot? Some enjoy the cool but others are missing the heat. Included in those who miss the heat are our hardy garden mums that are normally ready by now. The cooler temperatures have slowed down the growing and flowering but happily, we do have smaller ones ready! Plant into planters or antique tea kettles as a quick, colourful addition that will make your creative juices tingle! Ready-to-go
planters filled with perennials and annuals that look fresh and new are available as well! Another option for fall decorating is to buy some colourful perennials, place them in any old clay pots you may have in the garden shed, place them here and there and when the blooms are past, dig them into the flower garden where they will be resurrected next spring!

Smaller mums budding a luscious, orange colour

Larger Mums are growing but still pretty green. Some should be ready beginning in September

Ornamental Kale and Cabbage growing in the field

All the makings for our Autumn Planters

Colourful Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)  Great late summer and Fall colour!

Black-Berry Lily- A unique and beautiful Perennial

Fall Planter

Mum season is upon us!

Our hardy garden mums are starting to colour! We've been busy shipping the small ones for a few weeks now and more are coming into bloom. The bigger ones have a few weeks to go yet and unfortunately, the cooler weather isn't helping them along any faster.
Some go to local stores and garden centres, others are shipped to Ontario Flower Growers flower auction in Mississauga twice a week.