'Blue Lake' green beans I didn't plant green beans this year. However, I love them and have grown so many types, I've lost count. Green beans are an easy veggie crop in Oklahoma. Just plant them after the soil warms (greater than 55 degrees F; between April 10-30 according to the Oklahoma extension service.) Fifty to sixty days later, you'll have beautiful bean blossoms of white or lilac followed by beans. I've grown pole and bush beans, and I like bush beans best. It's just a personal preference like indeterminate versus determinate tomatoes. Pick the beans at medium size and cook them the same day or next. You'll be thrilled with the fresh taste. I love beans whether they're purple like 'Purple Queen' or yellow like 'Cherokee Wax.' I love them long and green like 'Jade,' or short and fat like 'Roma II.' Next year, I want to try the variety,...

Farmer's Market Baby Eggplant Halved, dusted, fried Velvet . . . On My Tongue My poetry for this month was delayed because of technical difficulties with Wordpress's picture uploading feature. Please forgive me, Carolyn Gail. If you'd like to read more musings, go to Sweet Home and Garden Chicago. It's a monthly game many of us play. You're welcome to play too. There is always more room.

Cukes and Onions On any given week during these hot summer days, you will find cucumbers and onions chilling in my refrigerator. I believe the original recipe was from my Grandma Nita, but it could have just as easily come from Granny Margaret, my maternal grandmother, who was also a great cook. Cucumber and Onions Three just plucked from the garden cukes One or two Vidalia or other sweet onions One cup of seasoned rice vinegar (I use Nakano.) ¾ cup of water 1 t. pepper ½ t. salt (if desired) Wash and dry cucumbers.Slice cucumbers into ¼ inch slices.Slice onions into ¼ inch slices.Sprinkle salt and pepper on top.Add vinegar and water.Stir.Cover and place in refrigerator. Also, if you need more vinegar and water to cover, just add them. It will be fine. Not much of a recipe really, but one my family holds dear. Other versions on the Internet...

People with Dirty Hands: The Passion for Gardening, by Robin Chotzinoff is one of my favorite garden memoirs. Last night, for the third time, I read the rose rustling story with a huge smile on my face. I believe it influenced me to dive into old garden roses when I read it ten years ago. Since I've previously discussed the book, I will instead, in accordance with Carol's suggestions for this month, tell you about my first garden mentor. I searched all day for the photograph of my Grandma Nita with her six-foot-tall tomato plants, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Instead, I offer these. The Red Dirt Rose (my Mom) found them for me today. As we pulled the faded images from an old envelope, and I saw the dear face of my grandmother for the first time in many years, I cried. Edith Juanita, my paternal grandmother, was...